The week is progressing quickly! There were even more exciting events today! Heres a look at some of the highlights- 

Natalie C. Photography
Allie and Professor Elizabeth Borowsky rehearsing an ensemble piece!

Allison, Isabel, Amina and Stephanie rehearsing their ensemble piece! 

After another day of practice and rehearsals, we were treated to another amazing presentation by Performance Coach Elyssa Smith. In this presentation, Elyssa focused on how to find your passion and reason for competing, performing, etc. 

The students were definitely inspired by Elyssa's presentation. You can find out more about Elyssa and her peformance coaching at www.yourbestmoment.com. 

Thanks Elyssa!! 

Stay tuned for more daily updates and student spotlights!

Here at IMIF, we use special techniques throughout the institute to improve not only the student as a musician, but as a whole person. A focus on mind, body, and spirit makes our institute unique! 

One of these techniques are the daily morning exercises. At the beginning of the institute, most students are less than excited about the thought of waking up at 7am to do morning stretches. However, by the second or third day, students look forward to these exercises as a way to stretch and prepare their bodies for a long day of music! 

The exercises are led daily by our own IMIF Executive Director, Elizabeth Borowsky. 

Elizabeth uses a mixture of yoga poses and other stretches to help a musician's body relax and prepare for hours of practice!

The students agree that is a great way to come together as a group before the day starts :) 

The students are working hard here at IMIF! These are some of the highlights from day 3! 

Rey, William, and Edmund rehearsing their ensemble piece! 

Marcos working on his solo repertoire! 

Allie and Leigha rehearsing their exciting four hand piano part! 

Angela taking time to practice before rehearsal! 

We are delighted to have a very special guest back with us this year! Elyssa Smith is a professional performance psychologist. She works to help athletes, speakers and musicians improve their performance abilities and overcome fear/anxiety about performing. IMIF students and faculty were treated to a special presentation yesterday by Elyssa!

Elyssa focused on how our mental thoughts can effect our performance. She explained which tools for thinking and preparation can help us as musicians improve how we perform, and how we view our performances. This will definitely come in handy for the performances later this week! 

Stay tuned for more daily updates! 

The students of IMIF 2014 had an exciting day today! It was full of ensemble rehearsals, individual lessons, and even yoga! Here are some of the highlights from today: 

Janka, Sinella, Joseph, and Jessica practicing their ensemble piece! 

Katelyn, Esther, Lisa, and Johanna getting some wisdom from Dr. Bednarz 

RayLee and Professor Elizabeth Borowsky working on solo repertoire

After a long day of reahearsals, we loosened up our bodies with a wonderful Yoga session taught by the amazing Lindsay Lusignea! 

The students learned to breathe, relax, and challenge themselves in this intense 75 minutes class!

When it was all said and done, everyone had a blast! Thanks Lindsay!

Stay tuned for more daily updates and student highlights!

Sunday: 
The students and faculty of IMIF 2014 have kicked off an exciting 10 days today! There have already been so many great experiences, and we are just getting started. Here is a look at some of the fun activities from today! 

We started off the day with some great speeches from the IMIF faculty - 

Then, we got moving with a fun and engaging theatre workshop by Mark Krawczyk! 

Mark used theatre exercises to elaborate on the many ways a musician can implement different tools and techniques in their practice and performance. Mainly, BREATHING! 

It was an amazing way to loosen up, get friendly with other students, and have a blast. 

















There was still time for some games and fun before evening reflection:

The participants were definitely tired! We can't wait to see what the week has in store. Stay tuned for more daily updates!