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Breaking Free: The Transformative Power of Music Improvisation

Saturday, October 17, 2026
09:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.

Add to Calendar 2026-10-17 09:00:00 2026-10-17 17:00:00 Breaking Free: The Transformative Power of Music Improvisation The Conservatory of Music presents a joint music education and music therapy conference featuring guest artist Christian Howes. This event is free and open to the public (see below for details).Kick-off on Friday, October 16, with a screening of "Redemption Time"—a documentary revealing the trauma of incarceration and the redemptive force of art.During the conference on Saturday, acclaimed violinist and educator, Christian Howes, along with a panel of musicians and music therapists, explore the transformative potential of music improvisation. The day culminates with a concert featuring Howes and Pacific’s jazz faculty and students.Qualified individuals may earn Continuing Music Therapy Education Credits (CMTEs). Contact Eric G. Waldon, Ph.D., MT-BC, with questions.To identify your interest, please view the registration form below.CONFERENCE SCHEDULEFriday, Oct. 16Open to all2 – 3 pmRecital HallDean’s Seminar "Mastermind Your Life in Music"Presenter: Christian Howes3:30 – 5 pmUp Close Workshops, CHOOSE ONE: "Play-Along Practice Party: Improvisation, Harmony, Groove, and Arranging in Eclectic Styles"Presenter: Christian Howes at Conservatory Buildings"Discovering Music Therapy in Correctional Settings"Presenter: Dr. Peg Codding at Buck Hall #1137-9 pmFaye Spanos Concert HallFilm screening and conversation with Christian Howes, “Redemption Time” Saturday, Oct. 17REGISTER HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT (FREE)8 – 8:45 amFaye Spanos Concert Hall LobbyCheck-in and registration8:45 – 9 amFaye Spanos Concert Hall StageOpening remarks9 – 9:50 amFaye Spanos Concert HallSession 1: " Improvisation Fundamentals: A Guided Play-Along Workshop"Presenter: Christian Howes 10 – 10:50 amFaye Spanos Concert HallSession 2: "Redemption Time: Art, Agency, and Possibility"Presenter: Christian Howes 11 – 11:50 amFaye Spanos Concert HallSession 3: "Making Connections: The Transformative Power of Music Therapy in Correctional and Forensic Settings"Presenters: Peg Codding, Ph.D., MT-BCAlelih Galvadores, MT-BCTaryn Weber, MT-BC 12 – 1 pmInstrumental Rehearsal Hall and Conservatory GroundsSpecial presentation: "Introduction to College Life and Music" (light lunch will be served) Presenter: Fred Peterbark, Assoc. Dean for Conservatory Admissions1 – 1:50 pmConservatory GroundsSession 4: "The Art and Science of Clinical Improvisation in Therapeutic Settings"Presenters: Maya Zebley, MA, MT-BCAlelih Galvadores, MT-BCTaryn Weber, MT-BC 2 – 2:50 pmConservatory GroundsSession 5: "Workshop: Hip-Hop and Songwriting Across Settings"Presenters: Jelani Brown3:30 – 5 pmFaye Spanos Concert HallClosing concert featuring Christian Howes and Pacific faculty and students VIEW THE DETAILED PROGRAM HERE (TBA)Continuing Music Therapy Education CreditsA total of five (5) CMTE credits will be available for eligible participants. Participants must attend all five (5) sessions during the conference on Oct. 17, 2026, in their entirety to claim five (5) CMTEs – no partial credit will be awarded for attending a portion of the day. There is no charge to earn CMTEs for qualified individuals. There are no prerequisites to attend/participate in “Breaking Free: The Transformative Power of Music Improvisation.”COURSE OBJECTIVES CBMT BOARD CERTIFICATION DOMAINSAttendees will describe one way to incorporate music improvisation into clinical practice.Knowledge 3A-7Task 19Attendees will describe one way that music-based interventions and strategies address the needs of correctional and/or forensic clientele in a meaningful and purposeful way.Knowledge 2D-1,2, 5, 7, and 9Tasks 23, 25, 26, 28, and 29Cancellation and Grievance PolicyIf this course is canceled for any reason, please contact Dr. Eric G. Waldon (ewaldon@pacific.edu) for information about a refund. Participants taking CMTE courses provided by University of the Pacific may file a grievance regarding: promotional and marketing materials, stated learning objectives, instructor qualifications, course schedule, course format, and course fees or policies. Grievances must be submitted in writing to Continuing Education Director Eric G. Waldon, Ph.D., MT-BC (ewaldon@pacific.edu) within thirty (30) days after the course has ended. The written grievance must include: the title of the course, the presenter’s name, the date of the course, and the reason(s) for the grievance. One may expect a response within thirty (30) days following receipt of the grievance. The CMTE participant may file an appeal of the response (via email) within thirty (30) days. The appeal must include: a description of the original grievance, the response to that grievance, and reasons for the appeal. University of the Pacific will respond to this appeal within thirty (30) days. In the event that the grievance cannot be resolved satisfactorily, participants have the right to have the grievance reviewed by the Continuing Education Committee of CBMT (www.cbmt.org).Statement of Relationship “Breaking Free: The Transformative Power of Music Improvisation” is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 5 units of Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The University of the Pacific (#P-139) maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria. 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95211, USA Conservatory of Music Conservatory of Music America/Los_Angeles public

The Conservatory of Music presents a joint music education and music therapy conference featuring guest artist Christian Howes. This event is free and open to the public (see below for details).

Kick-off on Friday, October 16, with a screening of "Redemption Time"—a documentary revealing the trauma of incarceration and the redemptive force of art.

During the conference on Saturday, acclaimed violinist and educator, Christian Howes, along with a panel of musicians and music therapists, explore the transformative potential of music improvisation. The day culminates with a concert featuring Howes and Pacific’s jazz faculty and students.

Qualified individuals may earn Continuing Music Therapy Education Credits (CMTEs). Contact Eric G. Waldon, Ph.D., MT-BC, with questions.
To identify your interest, please view the registration form below.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Friday, Oct. 16
Open to all

2 – 3 pm
Recital Hall

Dean’s Seminar "Mastermind Your Life in Music"
Presenter: Christian Howes

3:30 – 5 pm

Up Close Workshops, CHOOSE ONE:

"Play-Along Practice Party: Improvisation, Harmony, Groove, and Arranging in Eclectic Styles"
Presenter: Christian Howes at Conservatory Buildings
"Discovering Music Therapy in Correctional Settings"
Presenter: Dr. Peg Codding at Buck Hall #113

7-9 pm

Faye Spanos Concert Hall

Film screening and conversation with Christian Howes, “Redemption Time”

Saturday, Oct. 17

REGISTER HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT (FREE)

8 – 8:45 am Faye Spanos Concert Hall Lobby	Check-in and registration
8:45 – 9 am Faye Spanos Concert Hall Stage	Opening remarks
9 – 9:50 am Faye Spanos Concert Hall	Session 1: " Improvisation Fundamentals: A Guided Play-Along Workshop" Presenter: Christian Howes
10 – 10:50 am Faye Spanos Concert Hall	Session 2: "Redemption Time: Art, Agency, and Possibility" Presenter: Christian Howes
11 – 11:50 am Faye Spanos Concert Hall	Session 3: "Making Connections: The Transformative Power of Music Therapy in Correctional and Forensic Settings" Presenters: Peg Codding, Ph.D., MT-BC Alelih Galvadores, MT-BC Taryn Weber, MT-BC
12 – 1 pm Instrumental Rehearsal Hall and Conservatory Grounds	Special presentation: "Introduction to College Life and Music" (light lunch will be served) Presenter: Fred Peterbark, Assoc. Dean for Conservatory Admissions
1 – 1:50 pm Conservatory Grounds	Session 4: "The Art and Science of Clinical Improvisation in Therapeutic Settings" Presenters: Maya Zebley, MA, MT-BC Alelih Galvadores, MT-BC Taryn Weber, MT-BC
2 – 2:50 pm Conservatory Grounds	Session 5: "Workshop: Hip-Hop and Songwriting Across Settings" Presenters: Jelani Brown
3:30 – 5 pm Faye Spanos Concert Hall	Closing concert featuring Christian Howes and Pacific faculty and students

VIEW THE DETAILED PROGRAM HERE (TBA)

Continuing Music Therapy Education Credits

A total of five (5) CMTE credits will be available for eligible participants. Participants must attend all five (5) sessions during the conference on Oct. 17, 2026, in their entirety to claim five (5) CMTEs – no partial credit will be awarded for attending a portion of the day. There is no charge to earn CMTEs for qualified individuals. There are no prerequisites to attend/participate in “Breaking Free: The Transformative Power of Music Improvisation.”

COURSE OBJECTIVES	CBMT BOARD CERTIFICATION DOMAINS
Attendees will describe one way to incorporate music improvisation into clinical practice.	Knowledge 3A-7 Task 19
Attendees will describe one way that music-based interventions and strategies address the needs of correctional and/or forensic clientele in a meaningful and purposeful way.	Knowledge 2D-1,2, 5, 7, and 9 Tasks 23, 25, 26, 28, and 29

Cancellation and Grievance Policy

If this course is canceled for any reason, please contact Dr. Eric G. Waldon (ewaldon@pacific.edu) for information about a refund. Participants taking CMTE courses provided by University of the Pacific may file a grievance regarding: promotional and marketing materials, stated learning objectives, instructor qualifications, course schedule, course format, and course fees or policies. Grievances must be submitted in writing to Continuing Education Director Eric G. Waldon, Ph.D., MT-BC (ewaldon@pacific.edu) within thirty (30) days after the course has ended. The written grievance must include: the title of the course, the presenter’s name, the date of the course, and the reason(s) for the grievance. One may expect a response within thirty (30) days following receipt of the grievance. The CMTE participant may file an appeal of the response (via email) within thirty (30) days. The appeal must include: a description of the original grievance, the response to that grievance, and reasons for the appeal. University of the Pacific will respond to this appeal within thirty (30) days. In the event that the grievance cannot be resolved satisfactorily, participants have the right to have the grievance reviewed by the Continuing Education Committee of CBMT (www.cbmt.org).

Statement of Relationship

“Breaking Free: The Transformative Power of Music Improvisation” is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 5 units of Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The University of the Pacific (#P-139) maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.