The Die Schöne Müllerin Project
Bringing yourself fully to Music-making: The radical connections of music and wellness
About the Project
This project was born from a deep desire to tap the power of Art Song to inspire musical growth and bring people together, through Schubert’s great song-cycle Die Schöne Müllerin.
Brought together by a shared love of music and its power to heal, Colin Ainsworth (tenor), Laura Loewen (piano; Associate Dean, Professor of Collaborative Piano/Vocal Coach, University of Manitoba), Dr. Carol Wiebe (physician, musician, and co-founder of Radical Connections), and Danna McDonald, RMFT, (counsellor at the University of Manitoba who works closely with music students), explore Die Schöne Müllerin through the lens of healthcare and wellness.
This timeless song cycle traces the journey of a young man through hope, longing, and despair. Its emotional intensity speaks powerfully to our present moment, resonating with the collective challenges and ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together, we are creating a unique collaboration between musicians, students, and mental health professionals.
The Residency
In partnership with hosting universities and their counselling services, our three-day residency
includes:
- Voice/Piano Coachings – working closely with student duos on selected songs from the cycle.
- Wellness Workshop –integrating music-making with strategies for personal and emotional well-being.
- Public Masterclass – offering insights into both artistry and resilience in performance.
- Joint Performance – featuring participating students alongside our core team.
To deepen the experience, university counselling services will be invited to join the workshop and lead post-performance discussions for students, participants, and audience members.
For Students
Participating singers and pianists will prepare one or two songs from the cycle in advance of the residency. Where student pianists are not available, Laura will collaborate at the piano.
This project offers:
- Artistic mentorship in one of the great masterpieces of the Art Song repertoire.
- A safe, supportive space to explore music’s emotional depth, build on existing community, and strengthen connections.
- Resources for mental health and wellness tailored to the needs of music students.
At its heart, this project celebrates how music and wellness intersect, reminding us that the practice of art is inseparable from the practice of care, for ourselves and for one another.
Bring The Die Schöne Müllerin Project to your school
Inspire your students with an immersive experience where music and wellness intersect. This three-day residency offers personalized voice and piano coaching, workshops connecting music-making with emotional well-being, and the opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians.
Give your students the chance to deepen their artistry, strengthen resilience, and explore the transformative power of music.