WIT announces members of new Musical Improv Conservatory

WIT is thrilled to announce the members of our new Musical Improv Conservatory program. The program includes 35 members, spanning four teams. Each team will have its own coach and music accompanist.

WIT’s Musical Improv Conservatory aims to foster DC’s musical improv community by expanding and deepening the talent pool of players doing this work. Teams will rehearse weekly for a period of four months, beginning in January 2024.

“As a founding member of iMusical, I’m obviously a huge fan of musical improv,” said WIT Artistic/Executive Director Mark Chalfant. “iMusical members Beth Lyons and Mike O’Connor have taken the lead in creating this program, which I hope will jump-start the DC scene’s capacity to show the breadth of storytelling that is possible through musical improv. I’m thrilled with the talent that we’ve recruited to participate in the program and I think it’s going to have a lasting impact on the scene.”

Lyons adds, “This has been a dream and goal of mine for years. It’s wonderful to see it coming to fruition!”

The teams will conclude the Conservatory period with at least two performances.

TEAM ONE
Coach: Darnell Eaton
Accompanist: Mike O’Connor

Betsy Baldwin
David Steib
Hayley Emerson
J.P. McElyea
James Freeman
Joey Scully
Jordana Mishory
Patrick Hsieh
Mikki Smith

TEAM TWO
Coach: Anna Claire Walker
Accompanist: Paul Rosenberg

Adian Chapman
Callan Holderbaum
David Shadburn
Goli Samimi
John Manning
Sarah Burstyn
Steven Karig
Taunya Ferguson
Taylor Emerson

TEAM THREE
Coach: Travis Charles Ploeger
Accompanist: Michael Gottlieb

Cale Harper
Christina Ferrari
Jenna Rossman
Jonah Gordon
Julie Tice
MJ Welch
Ryan Baugh
Sally Murray
Sarah Baldwin

TEAM FOUR
Coach: Beth Lyons
Accompanist: Stephen Gabauer

Andrea Mosee
Armin Haracic
Chris Carusiello
Isaac Stone
James Nugent
Katie O’Donnell
Lexcia Carr
Molly Scott