Saturday, April 11 – Level 1 Gestures
Sunday, April 12 – Level 2 Gestures
The West Village Rehearsal Co-op
68 Gansevoort St. NYC 10014
Schedule:
Morning Session: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Afternoon Session: 2:30 – 5:00 PM
Certification Test (Optional): 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Cost:
$200 for 1-day workshop
$350 bundle (both days)
Limited scholarships available
REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/soundpainting-workshop-and-certification
Overview
Musicians, dancers, actors, visual artists, and educators are invited to join this two-day intensive exploring Soundpainting—the universal sign language for live composition. Participants will learn what each gesture means, how to perform and physically sign it, and how to use gestures when composing in real time with an ensemble.
Led by Soundpainting’s inventor Walter Thompson and 30-year practitioner Leese Walker, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to study with Thompson during one of his infrequent U.S. teaching visits. Through a dynamic, hands-on process, participants will explore the art of live composition, gaining tools for improvisation, ensemble communication, spontaneous composition, and teaching improvisation in classrooms or rehearsal settings.
No prior experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to experiment. The intensive is equally valuable for artists already familiar with Soundpainting who wish to refresh their knowledge and deepen their understanding.
Participants may attend Level 1 (Saturday), Level 2 (Sunday), or both days, depending on experience and interest. Beginning Soundpainters should plan to attend Saturday if they wish to participate in Sunday’s session. We recommend taking both days whenever possible.
Saturday – Level 1: Foundations
Day 1 focuses on the 44 foundational gestures from Workbook 1 and the core principles of the language. Participants will practice as both Soundpainters and performers, learning how gestures are signed, interpreted, and applied to build live compositions across disciplines.
This session is recommended for all participants: beginners will gain a full introduction, while experienced Soundpainters will find a refresher and refiner, exploring new ways to apply, combine, and teach Level 1 gestures.
Sunday – Level 2: Palettes & Expanded Language
Day 2 introduces palettes—pre-composed or rehearsed material such as choreographic phrases, musical motifs, spoken text, or set blocking. Palettes serve as known content that the Soundpainter can cue, shape, and remix in real time, allowing pre-set material and improvisation to interact dynamically.
Participants will build on Level 1 material while working with additional gestures from Workbook 2: Music and Chapter 2 of Workbook 3: Theatre & Dance. Advanced participants will focus on palettes and expanded compositional strategies, while newer participants will continue strengthening their foundational skills.
By the end of the workshop, participants attending both days will be familiar with over 75 gestures and how to use them both as performers and Soundpainters.
Soundpainting Workbooks
To purchase Soundpainting Workbooks in print or PDF, visitwww.soundpainting.com. Print workbooks are under Workbooks and PDFs under Shop / Downloads. While not mandatory, Workbooks offer a useful guide to gestures and concepts covered in the workshop.
Optional Certification
Walter Thompson and Leese Walker offer optional Soundpainting Certification for participants who wish to formally validate their knowledge of the language.
Level 1 Certification (Saturday): Knowledge of all gestures from Workbook 1; for Multidisciplinary Certification, also Chapter 1 of Workbook 3.
Level 2 Certification (Sunday): Knowledge of Workbook 2: Music; for Multidisciplinary Certification, also Chapter 2 of Workbook 3.
The certification exam runs from 5:00–6:00 PM at the end of each day. While certification is optional, it is strongly recommended for those intending to teach Soundpainting in schools, universities, or professional training programs.
About the Instructors
Walter Thompson is internationally recognized as a composer and the creator of Soundpainting. He has composed Soundpaintings with orchestras, dance companies, theatre ensembles, and multidisciplinary groups across the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia. For more information, visitwww.soundpainting.com.
Leese Walker is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble, a New York-based company working at the intersection of activism, arts, and social justice since 1997. A leading expert and first actor to be Soundpainted, Leese has performed and taught at Lincoln Center, BAM, and internationally. She is a master teaching artist and recipient of the BAX Arts Educator Award and APPEX Fellowship.