Concordia University - Montreal, Canadá. Field School 2026. Music, Art, and Science Interactions
- 28 abr
- 8 min de lectura
Actualizado: 5 ago
“The program left an overall strong impression on me. It was a unique experience offering a diverse range of learning opportunities. It is rare that such a program should exist which runs the range from conference, seminar, residency and performance opportunity all wrapped into one”
“This trip was an incredible source of knowledge and inspiration that will translate in my upcoming work”
“Our field trip to Morelia turned out to be a very enriching experience. The trip was well organized, we got to discuss on interesting topics and learn from knowledgeable people, not only in electroacoustic, but to experiences and assist to various forms of art representation”
(…from students attending a Mexico Field School)
Our Music, Art, and Science Interactions intensive Field School program offers Concordia University’s undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of music and media arts backgrounds, as well as other fields of fine arts, communication, science, and engineering, an opportunity to work on self-proposed research and creation -sound/media/contemporary/experimental art, and electronic music- projects. Also, to attend master classes and lectures on new media/electronic/sound art creation and contemporary music; and workshops-seminars on music & new media/sound art technology by world leaders in the field; and to receive individual feedback/mentorship on their creative work by internationally recognized artists and tech experts.
The program is held in Mexico, primarily at the Mexican Centre for Music and Sonic Arts - CMMAS facilities (https://www.cmmas.org/) in downtown Morelia.
Students benefit from their experience in Morelia and seek inspiration from its rich cultural life, history, people, and places for their projects. While immersed in Mexico’s cultures, stories, architecture, intensity, speed, and beauty, they also attend workshops and activities at the host institution, CMMAS and meet international artists and academics from several fields (e.g., experimental and new media arts, sound art and music, ecological resources and actions, and much more).
A selection of students’ works, produced during their residency, is presented in a public concert at the CMMAS Auditorium. This special intensive program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from any Faculty of Concordia, and it also allows students from other universities to participate.
The Music, Art, and Science Interactions - Field School program, led by Prof. Dr. Ricardo Dal Farra, wants to acknowledge and thank CMMAS colleagues for their generous support.
These activities are possible in 2026 thanks to a Quebec-Mexico grant supporting the Vínculos Sonoros (Liens Sonores in French, or Sonic Links in English) project between CMMAS-UNAM and Concordia University.
Field School @ Morelia 2026 – led by prof. Ricardo Dal Farra
This was such a life changing and inspiring trip. I’m so grateful for all the people I’ve met, the discussions I’ve had, and the mind doors that have been opened for me. Thank you Ricardo!
Kamiar
Ricardo, I’d like to give a huge, huge thank you for the work you’ve done to make this field school happen. I can’t imagine the hoops that have to be jumped through to get Concordia to greenlight this, and beyond that it’s not lost on me that a lot of this opportunity is thanks to your background and career, I feel I’ve been able to take advantage of the connections you’ve made with people in Morelia and around the world, and this gives me the chance to do this field school where otherwise I wouldn’t be able to.
My feedback for the field school was that it was great and if doing it again, would do it exactly the same. I completely disagree with those who say that it was too busy. To me, I’d much rather have many activities possible, worst case when I was really feeling bogged down I could step out of a presentation for a few minutes, or choose to scale back an element of the project. I don’t believe that one has to not sleep in order to complete the project, I think all can be managed together. Ultimately, it’s such a unique experience that I would rather have the most opportunities available to me as possible, then the trust that I will figure out a way to make it all work for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Ian
Throughout the week, the theme of networks emerged consistently. The idea that knowledge, resources, and artistic possibilities do not circulate equitably, and that building alternative networks—especially among and from the Global South—is in itself an artistic and political act. Ricardo Dal Farra embodies this practice. This perspective transforms the way I understand my own work, since it is not only about the production of autonomous artistic objects but also about thinking of myself as part of a network of exchange.
Josué
So, so grateful to spend the week amongst so many brilliant, inspiring people. The group of fellow students selected to participate in the field study program are truly some of the most thoughtful and inspiring people I have ever met, and I will treasure the week I spent building relationships with them. I'm extremely excited for our academic futures together, and feel more secure in mine knowing they have my back, will challenge me, and help me out.
[…]
Overall - overwhelming gratitude for the amount of organization and effort that has gone into this program. The smoothness with which it operated shows the time and dedication put into it. I'm very, very glad to have attended the field school.
Bea
The field school was one of the most rewarding experiences of my degree so far. The combination of lectures, concerts, mentoring sessions, collaborative projects, and cultural activities created an intense but highly engaging environment. I left feeling inspired, challenged, and motivated to continue exploring electroacoustic and interdisciplinary performance practices.
[…]
Overall, I am very grateful for the opportunity. The field school expanded my artistic perspective, introduced me to inspiring artists and peers, and created connections that I hope will continue long after the program has ended. I would gladly participate in a future edition and would strongly recommend the experience to other students.
Amanda
Getting to interact directly with pioneers of the electroacoustic medium in a setting like Morelia is not something you can replicate in a classroom. The informality of it matters, these are real conversations, not lectures, and that changes what you're able to take from them. Being around PhD and master's students was equally valuable in a different way; hearing how people a few steps ahead are thinking about their practice gave me a lot of direction about my own, which as an undergrad I didn't know I needed as much as I did.
I'd recommend this to anyone in the program without hesitation.
David
I had a very enriching experience, both academically and culturally, and made many useful and enjoyable connections with people from Concordia, and from around Mexico and the USA. The lectures organized at CMMAS were all very closely related to my studies on instrument design—and we are a rare bunch, so that was a nice surprise. The faculty at CMMAS and U Montrer were very generous with their time, easy to talk to, and I believe I will stay in contact with some of them.
The reception at Montrer was magical—I had such a fantastic day presenting there, at a beautiful campus terrace, helped by top of the line sound equipment and technicians—all of whom produced an extremely engaging concert! I was very thankful for the opportunity to present, and was glad they were willing to be flexible in the content of my presentation (being more a lecture than musical performance).
The Mexican students attending CMMAS and Montrer were all highly engaging, curious, and thoughtful individuals, and it was a joy to spend time with each and every one of them.
The schedule was impeccably organized, with no wasted moments while making the most of our time in and around Morelia. Hats off to Prof. Dal Farra who really knocked it out of the park with this huge logistical challenge.
James
I would describe my experience at the intensive Sonic Visions @ Mexico / Music, Art and Science Interactions Summer Field School in Morelia as deeply transformative, enriching, and inspiring.
Although sound, technology and music have always been central to my life, coming from a family of engineers, composers, and musicians, this intensive week helped me understand how sound can become an important component of my work in Art Education. It was remarkable to discover how much can be learned about culture, identity, and community through the soundscapes of a place.
[…]
Overall, the Field School provided a unique combination of academic learning, cultural reflection, and personal growth. It left me with new perspectives, meaningful collaborations, and concrete ideas that I intend to integrate into my future artistic and educational practice. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate and strongly believe that experiences like this create lasting impacts for students, educators, and the broader creative community.
Victoria
The Morelia Field School was one of the most meaningful academic and personal experiences of my year. Arriving into a city I had been told by friends was the real Mexico, I found that description to be accurate in every sense. Morelia offered a cultural richness, warmth, and authenticity that shaped everything I experienced during the program.
Academically, the program pushed me into territory that is genuinely new to me.
[…]
As a life experience, this program reminded me why I do this work. The organic, process-based nature of Ricardo's field schools creates conditions for genuine creative exploration, stretching students beyond their normal comfort zone, questioning how to interact with our environs. I am leaving Morelia with new references, new collaborators, a completed performance piece, and a clearer sense of where my research is heading.
I would strongly recommend this program to any Fine Arts Student. The partnership with CMMAS is exceptional and the city of Morelia is an ideal host. I hope to return to Morelia and CMMAS either academically or professionally and plan to look into funding opportunities to continue working in some of the areas of research that were ignited during my ten memorable days here.
Kelly
The field school in Morelia was a great experience. I feel privileged to have been part of it. It has already had a positive impact on my practice, and I am certain it will greatly contribute to my development as an artist and researcher…
[…]
I would also like to thank Concordia University for giving us this opportunity and trusting Ricardo Dal Farra on this endeavour. I think all of the students grew immensely, are now more professional artists, with a richer discourse and this all represents Concordia well.
Alexandre
I’m immensely grateful. This has been one of the most rewarding weeks of my life. Probably one of the most important weeks of my life.
Indigo
Visitors students from Canada: Amanda Stormyr
Kamyar Karimi
Kelly Day
James Ford
Eric Campbell
Josué Medina Rueda
Alex Macpherson
Alexandre Marchand
Bea Hoekstra
Austin Tecks
Mateo Gorka Sanchez
Victoria Mars
Indigo Olson
Findlay Sontag
David Vaillancourt
Eliot Roby
Ian Klempan
Lucia Foster
Visitors students from ITESO:
Melissa Vazquez Chavez
Saltiago Mendoza Pérez
Luis Alfredo Pérez Macias
Diego Aponte Cabrera
Jocelyn Ortega Gómez
Jimena Berny Herrería
Alejandro Perez Vazquez
Patricio Vertiz Padilla
Fernando Calderón Moreno
Programa:
Sábado 16 de mayo
Actividades en Montrer
Lunes 18 de mayo
10:00 - 11:30 Bienvenida, tour CMMAS + charla/obras por Rodrigo Sigal
11:30 - 12:00 Networking entre estudiantes ENES (6to semestre) y estudiantes de Concordia
12:30 - 13:00 Charla sobre acceso al agua y sustentabilidad por Ernenek Durán
13:00 - 15:00 Break
15:00 - 16:00 Charla/taller sobre síntesis y diseño sonoro - Francisco Colasanto
16:00 - 18:00 Trabajo en los espacios del CMMAS
16:00 - 18:00 Tutorias individuales
Martes 19 de mayo
10:00 - 12:30 Charla Impartida por Christopher Ramos
12:30 - 14:00 Break
14:00 - 16:00 Charla impartida por Tonalli R. Nakamura
16:00 - 18:00 Trabajo en los espacios del CMMAS
16:00 - 18:00 Tutorias individuales
Miércoles 20 de mayo
10:00 - 12:00 Charla/Taller estudiantes ENES (4to semestre) y estudiantes de Concordia. Imparte Simon-Pierre Gourd
13:00 - 15:00 Break
15:00 - 16:00 Trabajo en los espacios del CMMAS
16:00 - 18:00 Charla/Taller Impartida por Jorge Alba
Jueves 21 de mayo
10:00 - 12:00 Taller impartido por Jasmine Lovell Smith
12:00 - 13:00 Charla impartida por Ricardo Dal Farra
13:00 - 15:00 Break
15:00 - 18:00 Trabajo en los espacios del CMMAS
16:00 - 18:00 Tutorias individuales
Viernes 22 de mayo
10:00 - 13:00 Trabajo y ajustes finales en los espacios del CMMAS
13:00 - 15:00 Break
15:00 - 18:00 Montaje y Soundcheck
19:00 - Presentación de resultados en CMMAS
