“I attended the Creative Music Intensive at Arts Letters and Numbers for the first time during the summer of 2023. The experience was moving and resonated deeply in a number of ways. First, I have spent my entire life involved with interdisciplinary projects, between music, math, engineering and computer science, and also between theater arts and dance choreography. The whole premise of ALN is for artists and workers to collaborate and find new expressions. Second, ALN has been put together on an old industrial site where there is a strong ethos of volunteerism, hands-on and working together to build something special, and I found myself connecting deeply with this, having worked in the trades as a young man. Third, the entire ALN staff, and its director David Gersten share an attitude of encouragement and openness which provide a safe space for taking risks. This in turn encouraged me to share music and thoughts, and keep going with some new ideas. Fourth, ALN is inclusive, welcomes participants of all ages and backgrounds, and it was a privilege to meet many participants who attended from different countries. Finally, I felt welcomed into a family, made some new friends, and even now am collaborating with one of the participants on a new project.”

– Edward Childs (Corinth, Vermont)

“I decided to attend CMI to experience what it would be like to express myself as a musician/pianist in front of and around gifted creative musicians. I was determined to play as myself and not what someone else thought I should sound like or play like. For many creative musicians this is not a difficult thing to flesh out. I was not fortunate enough as a young man to feel the assurance of having my own unique voice. I was still working on how to play the damn thing! My experience has lead me to pursue my doctorate at the New England Conservatory. Without question I can say that CMI provided all of the nurturing encouragement I could have imagined! Everyone I met was very supportive and inspirational. I look forward to attending again. While attending CMI, I attained the self-assurance I desired!”

– David Warren Harewood (Arlington, Massachusetts)

"When I got to Creative Music Intensive program, I was a little worried about the new environment, different continent and culture, and range of professional expertise that is maybe expected of me. I was amazed to see that the musicians gathered were coming from very different backgrounds - from music enthusiasts and amateurs, jazz and rock-based musicians to academically trained professionals and many more. What is most important, we all could share our experiences and follow the lectures with our capabilities. And the lectures were exceptionally valuable and diverse. I enjoyed the most the counterpoint lessons named "Adventures in Polyphony" by Elliot Cole where I felt that composing with counterpoint rules can be an adventure whose goal is to make one's music more intricate. Another lesson that broadened my musical experience was the raga class with Michael Harrison. His refined sense of how much can we learn as a group, and not to go too fast to lose the depth of the music that we played resulted in one of the greatest musical experiences at the final "Marathon" 5-hour concert. I could go on about every little detail, but that would take me hours and hours. To sum it up, I recommend this program to every kind of musician. Things that you learn here stay with you for life, and the experience of 2 weeks removed from everything else except music is life-changing."

– Dimitrije Beljanski (Novi Sad, Serbia)

"CMI was one of the best decisions of my musical career. The collaborations and friendships I made with both participants and faculty during the program really pushed my career forward and hold a very special place in my life. Having attended many festivals virtually and in-person, it was immediately clear to me what CMI's values are through their high-caliber faculty and education for such a modest tuition price. I strongly recommend CMI for both the aspiring professional and the casual enthusiast!"

– Anuj Bhutani (Los Angeles, California)