Composer Clarice Assad Shares the Creativity of Improvisation

On Friday, February 27, Belmont Hill School welcomed Clarice Assad to Hamilton Chapel as the 2026 Kageyama-Hunt Speaker Series guest. A celebrated composer, pianist, and vocalist from Rio de Janeiro, Ms. Assad showcased her musical talent and the value of improvisation during a lively presentation. Through heartfelt personal stories, audience participation, and a surprise appearance from Belmont Hill’s own B Flats, Ms. Assad crafted a Chapel experience that demonstrated the power of trust and collaboration.
 
A Grammy Award–nominated artist renowned for her musical versatility across genres, Ms. Assad has 70 compositions to her credit and has received prestigious commissions from Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and major orchestras worldwide. While her works have been recorded by luminaries like Yo-Yo Ma, and performed in renowned ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and Tokyo Symphony, Ms. Assad’s passion extends beyond performance to social impact, creating works that address climate change, social justice, gender equity, and youth empowerment. 
 
In contrast to her charismatic presence on stage, Ms. Assad shared with students her experiences as a shy child terrified of being seen. It wasn’t until her family introduced her to music that her  self-confidence began to arrive, and what started on the keyboard expanded to a variety of instruments and disciplines. The arts became a space for Ms. Assad to escape to, and over time, her passion provided purpose, confidence, and peace. 
 
During her visit on campus, Ms. Assad hoped to not only showcase some of that passion, but demonstrate how improvisation in particular can be a valuable skill that builds collaboration, quick thinking, and confidence. To bring the Belmont Hill boys out of their own comfort zones, Ms. Assad led the chapel through a series of musical improvisation challenges, culminating with the B-Flats joining her on stage. While the students showed hesitancy at first, by the end of her inspiring presentation, the Hamilton Chapel was abuzz with rhythm and enthusiasm. 
 
Following the presentation, Ms. Assad led students and faculty members in further improvisational workshops in the Prenatt Music Center.
 
About the Speaker Series
The Kageyama-Hunt Lecture Series, established in 2012 by Belmont Hill parents Bill and Yuko Hunt, brings speakers to campus who model global citizenship and can inspire generations of Belmont Hill boys to embrace the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world.