Inspiration Week
Each spring, PMAC’s regular schedule pauses for something extraordinary—a full week dedicated to creativity, curiosity, and connection.
During Inspiration Week, students step outside their usual programs to explore new ideas through special workshops and performances led by our incredible teaching artists. It’s a time to recharge artistic energy, discover unexpected sparks, and learn in fresh, inspiring ways. Many concerts are also open to the public—join us in celebrating the joy of music and art!
Who Can Participate in Inspiration Week?
All students enrolled in PMAC’s Spring Semester programs are invited to attend a free Inspiration Week event. Concerts are also open to the public as space allows.
Does Inspiration Week Cost Money?
Inspiration Week is completely free for Spring PMAC students.
This special week of workshops, lectures, recitals, and concerts is offered at no cost to enrolled students as part of your Spring experience.
It’s important to us that students have the opportunity to see and hear their teaching artists perform in a professional setting—experiences that are often inaccessible or intimidating for children. That’s why all events are FREE, scheduled during regular lesson times, and hosted on-site at PMAC, making them welcoming and easy to access.
Concerts open to the general public are free to attend, with a suggested $10 donation per non-PMAC student to help support these community arts experiences.
How do I sign up?
Student Registration
Students can sign up for online workshops by completing the online registration form. Students will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. SPACE IS LIMITED, so sign up now to reserve your spot.
Students, please use the public ticket links to register for concerts and lecture recitals.
Public Registration
Concert and lecture recital registration is now open to the general public!
Individual ticket links can be found embedded in the listings below. You can also follow this link for the full list.
Inspiration Week 2025 Schedule
2025 Inspiration Week Workshops - Students
Circular Breathing: What Is It and How Do You Do It? presented by Ginna Macdonald
Tuesday, May 27th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Lamprey Classroom
All ages – this workshop is intended for wind/brass players
Calling all woodwind and brass players! This workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore the technique of circular breathing both away from their instrument and with it. Suitable for all experience levels. Come curious and ready to experiment – and bring your instrument!
Origins of Hip Hop and Rap presented by Nick Phaneuf
Tuesday, May 27th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Back Corner Ensemble Room
Adults, 18+
This is for fans and non-fans of hip hop and rap! Join us for a “cultural on-ramp” for anyone curious about the dominance of hip hop and rap in the last 30 years. This listening session with discussion will contextualize the origins of hip hop that draw on jazz and the blues.
All Aboard The Brain Train presented by Taylor Blankenship and Bryan Killough
Wednesday, May 28th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
Ages 5-9
Join us in some silly science songs about the body, that can be used to keep a very heavy college Anatomy & Physiology course as light as your stapes (the lightest and smallest bone in the body & located in your ear)! You’ll surely walk away with a mind full of new science facts you may never again have a reason to sing about.
All original songs by Taylor featuring: All Aboard the Brain Train, When We Were Very Young, Song About the Dentist, Cellular Boat, and Geese love letter G.
Guitar Improvisation presented by Jim Dozet
Wednesday, May 28th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Lamprey Room
Ages 12-17 & Adults
Explore several classic approaches to quickly improve your soloing skills. Topics covered will include the use of triads, pentatonic scales and the C.A.G.E.D. system, and how they are all connected and simple ways to utilize them musically. Don’t forget to bring your guitar!
The Making of a Beat with Mike Effenberger and Nick Phaneuf
Thursday, May 29th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
Ages 12 – 17 & Adults
Nick Phaneuf and Mike Effenberger will record and produce a track in real time, while explaining the process from sampling acoustic instruments to recording synths and editing in the computer. They will answer your questions while you follow along with a projected image from their recording software.
Topics that will be explored include microphones, recording software, compositional ideas, as well as the workflow when collaborating on these types of projects.
Monoprinting Workshop with Jade Ruscio
Thursday May 29th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Living Innovations Visual Arts Classroom
Ages 10-14
In this Monoprinting Workshop, designed for students in grades 4-8, explore some of the creative possibilities of hand printing images without a press! The process is called a monoprint because each image cannot be repeated exactly nor can it be editioned. Have fun using experimentation and playfulness with various techniques and layers of color. The transfer of ink to paper is accomplished with an inked matrix and a wooden spoon and/or a baren.
Zine Making Workshop with Jade Ruscio
Thursday May 29th from 5:45PM-6:45PM in Living Innovations Visual Arts Classroom
Adults*, ages 18+
Zines are powerful, personal booklets rooted in underground political movements and DIY culture. In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore zine making as a creative tool for self expression, resistance, and healing. Using intuitive collage, drawing, and writing, you’ll create your own mini booklet- something to keep, trade, or share. Whether you’re telling your story, educating others, or simply experimenting, zines offer a unique way to connect with yourself and your community. No experience needed, just bring your ideas and curiosity.
*Adults currently enrolled in the Mixed Media and Monoprinting spring classes are not eligible to sign up for this class. We encourage you to sign up for another offering!
2025 Inspiration Week Lecture Recitals - Students & Public
The Art of Music Arranging: Exploring the Duet featuring Jason Crigler and Bryan Killough
Tuesday, May 27th from 6:00PM-7:00PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
Ages 14 -17 & Adults
Get Tickets to The Art of Music Arranging
The arrangement of a piece of music is integral to the act of composing. One of the ways music can be arranged is to adapt it for different instrumentation than what was originally intended. This workshop will feature a series of guitar duets created by Jason Crigler from a variety of different sources, including performances of the duets.
All of the music chosen was originally arranged for different instrumentation. Some material will be interpretations of surf music, originally played by a full rock band. Other pieces will be drawn from American Blues, originally played on solo guitar. In addition to performing, the discussion will include an overview of how a piece of music is adapted to be suitable as a duet and the rehearsal process. The goal of this workshop is to present the duet as a form of music arrangement and to explore the idea that any piece of music can be adapted and presented in a new way.
2025 Inspiration Week Concerts - Students & Public
The Nashville Sound featuring Crystal Taber, Steve Roy, Nick Phaneuf and Jim Dozet
Wednesday, May 28th from 6:00PM-7:00PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
Get Tickets to The Nashville Sound
Come join us for a night of music penned by some of Nashville’s greatest songwriters both old and new. We will explore the songs and the artists from this legendary music city and perform them for you with our all faculty band. You will hear the likes of John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, Sierra Ferrell, Patsy Cline and more. This concert features Crystal Taber on lead vocals, Steve Roy on mandolin and fiddle, Nick Phaneuf on upright bass, and Jim Dozet on guitar.
The Wood Brothers - Loaded featuring Jim Dozet, Nick Phaneuf, and guest artists Paul Donahue and John Webb
Wednesday, May 28th from 7:30PM-8:30PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
Get Tickets to The Wood Brothers
The band first performed this album as an installment of the local music series “Diaspora Radio,” which is a monthly fixture at The Press Room in downtown Portsmouth. We enjoyed playing so much that we just had to do it again! This is a great album full of fantastic songs. If you are familiar with The Wood Brothers, you are sure to love this concert, and if you are not, now is your chance to see what the hype is all about. The concert will feature Jim Dozet on guitar and lead vocals, bassist and vocalist Nick Phaneuf, drummer Paul Donahue and slide guitarist John Webb.
DJ Dumptruck featuring Mike Effenberger, Chris Klaxton, and guest Moe Pope
Thursday, May 29th from 6:00PM-7:00PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
DJ Dumptruck (Mike Effenberger on Hammond B3 organ and Chris Klaxton on drums) is a minimalist duo that explores the intersection of postrock, soul, hip-hop, and groove-driven electronic music. The area dyad is as likely to be found improvising a live-score of the Superbowl as they are to be encountered at a barbeque joint. For this special performance they will join forces for the first time with Boston poet and MC Moe Pope of STL GLD fame.
Explore more here:
Thelonious Monk Quartet featuring Mike Walsh, Mike Effenberger, Eric Klaxton and Rob Gerry
Thursday, May 29th from 7:30PM-8:30PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
Get Tickets to Thelonious Monk Quartet
Jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Thelonious Monk is one of the most celebrated jazz musicians of the last century. Highly regarded for both his memorable compositions and unique approach to improvisation, Monk’s ensembles brought jazz into the modern era. Please join PMAC teaching artists Eric Klaxton – tenor sax, Mike Effenberger – piano, Robert Gerry – bass, and Michael Walsh – drums for a concert featuring the music of Thelonious Monk and experience why anyone who plays jazz, or listens to jazz will eventually encounter the classic music of Monk.
Piano Improvisation Recital featuring Jeff Auger
Friday, May 30th from 4:30PM-5:30PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
Get Tickets to Piano Improvisation Recital
Teaching artist Jeff Auger presents a solo recital of piano improvisational music. Spend the late afternoon immersed in the variety of textures and colors of the piano, in the intimate setting of our recital hall. This concert is a perfect pre-dinner concert experience for all, or a first concert experience for our youngest students!
Faculty Artist Showcase featuring Mike Effenberger, Russ Grazier, and Eli Kaynor
Friday, May 30th from 6:00PM-7:00PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
Get Tickets to Faculty Artist Showcase
Join us for an exciting concert featuring a variety of PMAC teaching artists! This year will feature wind music performed by saxophonist Russ Grazier, cello music featuring Eli Kaynor, all accompanied by pianist Mike Effenberger.
Louis Armstrong Hot Five featuring Eric Klaxton, Chris Klaxton, Josh Gagnon, Mike Effenberger, and Brian Waterhouse
Friday, May 30th from 7:30PM-8:30PM in Haas Family Recital Hall and Gallery
All ages concert
Get Tickets to Louis Armstrong Hot Five
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first recording of Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, we are excited to present some of their most iconic music. Louis and his band were instrumental in the development of what became known as jazz, bringing improvisation and group interplay to the forefront of their performances. Without Louis Armstrong American music wouldn’t be the same today. His influence continues to inspire musicians and audiences, young and old, to this very day.
Additional FAQs
Can I bring guests to the concerts?
Yes!
In addition to their single ticket, all youth students may reserve tickets for their immediate family.
Adult students may reserve one additional ticket for a family member or friend.
- All guests must be listed on the registration form.
Can my child attend Inspiration Week unaccompanied?
Youth students under age 14 must attend Inspiration Week concerts with a parent or guardian.
For workshops, PMAC’s standard Youth Student Policy applies. The parent/guardian of a student under the age of ten (10) must remain on the premises. Parents or guardians may wait in the lobby, attend the event with their child, or wait outside.
Do I still have my usual lesson/rehearsal/class during Inspiration Week?
No. There is no regular programming at PMAC during Inspiration Week so that our students can attend a workshop or concert of their choice. This “break week” is built into our curriculum and calendar. All Spring Semester lessons resume during the week of June 2.
What if I have more questions?
If you have other questions about Inspiration Week, email us at info@pmaconline.org.
