Defy Convention

A glutton for punishment, I am returning to the subject of music at meetings .  Just because I failed once to explain how engaging all senses makes events memorable, doesn't mean I can just let it go.  So here's an even more obscure take on the subject. Music and the arts have been both a backdrop and a counterpoint at the first two Vine Conferences, but this year's program fully integrated the arts into the experience by being created in the moment.  Improvisation was both a subtext on a theme of innovation and experimentation as well as a demonstration of creativity. On the opening evening, pianist Michael Jones and cellist Stephanie Winters teamed up for the first time, channeling each other and the audience, to create music.  We were not allowed to applaud, and that proved the most difficult part of the experience.  Both musicians, however, stayed on for the next two days, participating in discussions, and resurfacing at the clos...