Creativitas is a course exploring the powerful blending of creativity and technology, demonstrating how STEM knowledge can be a tool for artistic expression. Over the year students will explore this intersection by designing and programming their own digital musical tools, and learning how to use technology to shape sound and create original music. Through hands-on projects, they will learn the fundamentals of music technology, sound synthesis, and digital composition, culminating in a short musical performance.

Along the way, we will discuss how scientific and technical concepts—such as acoustics, signal processing, and electronic design—enhance creative possibilities in contemporary music. Students will also explore the broader social impact of music: how technology can empower new forms of artistic expression, foster community, and support personal and collective well-being.

The program is hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Hong Kong University. Tuition payment will be administered through HKU.

Applications are due December 29, and acceptance notifications will be delivered by Jan 2.

2026 Program Schedule

Winter Session:

3-day in-person workshop taught by MIT Professor Ian Hattwick & assistants

January 30 - February 2

Held at Hong Kong University in Hong Kong

Winter session is an accelerated introduction to the core concepts and skills of music technology. You will be introduced to the practice of live coding, making music in real time by writing computer code, and will also design your own simple instrument to learn about how digital instruments work under-the-hood. By completing this session you'll experience the power of programming and engineering to enhance musical creativity.

Spring Session: 4 online sessions

Taught by MIT Professors and students

Evenings of April 18 and 25, and May 2 and 9

Spring session will reinforce core programming concepts, and will provide an opportunity to understand how to express musical concepts and techniques through code. After completing this session, you will have your own software abstractions which represent your personal musical aesthetics.

Summer Session

Every student will participate in one full week of in-person workshops and performances, either in the USA or in China.

Choose either a week at MIT in Cambridge MA or a week in either Hong Kong or Shanghai (final location TBD)

USA: July 13 - 17, Held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

China: July 27 - 31, Held at HKU Hong Kong or HKU Shanghai (final location TBD)

The summer session will take you through advanced concepts in music technology. Topics will include more sophisticated programming techniques, standard approaches to analyzing music, and techniques for using machine learning and AI to generate music. During this session you will create your own musical instrument, using a variety of sensor and interaction techniques. The conclusion of the week will be a performance where you will have the opportunity to perform your own musical composition on a professional stage.

The application will ask you for:

• School transcript

• Letter of recommendation from a teacher

• 3 short essays

• A 1-2m minute video of you introducing yourself

Tuition payment instructions will be provided with acceptance letters, and will be administered by Hong Kong University.

Let us know at info@Creativitas.tech if you have any questions - and we look forward to receiving your application!