Benjamin Wolff
Benjamin Wolff—cellist, professor, educator, and speaker—delights audiences with elegant and rare insights into the way creativity works. With an inspiring model of innovation from the worlds of art, business, and science, he weaves stories that span disciplines and history, leaving those who hear his message with a lesson that resonates deeply.
As a speaker, Ben's experience with interdisciplinary learning and thinking has given him the opportunity to present on subjects ranging from innovation to teamwork. He has delivered programs for the Trust X Alliance of Ingram Micro, the Center for Collaborative Organizations, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, the Lean Product and Process Development Exchange, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Harvard University, Williams College, Wellesley College, Yale University, Georgetown University, and Rice University in a special collaboration with NASA astronaut Dr. Donald Pettit.
Since 1998 he has been Associate Professor of Music at Hofstra University and a member of the Hofstra String Quartet. As an active professional cellist in the New York City area he performs with ensembles such as Early Music New York, Concert Royal, American Virtuosi, Oratorio Society, and American Classical Orchestra.
Ben is a member of the National Speakers Association and, currently, President of their New York City chapter.
Testimonials
"Benjamin Wolff's presentation, Product Development in the Arts, was a great way to kick off our second conference. His integration of music and video helped our participants shift into learning mode so that they could get maximum advantage from the rest of the agenda, and gave them new ways to think about how to apply Lean tools in their own work. From an event planning perspective, he was the consummate professional from start to finish-easy to work with, flexible, and trustworthy."
-- Katherine Radeka, Lean Product & Process Development Exchange
"Besides the enthusiastic ovation at the end, applause during a program is unheard of for our series."
-- Dr. Brent Warner, NASA
"Thank you so much for your vibrant, riveting presentation. You have a remarkable program." -- Dr. Peter Galison, Harvard University
"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your extraordinary performance."
-- Dr. John J. DeGioia, President, Georgetown University
"Your listeners were utterly enthralled."
-- Dr. James Ponet, Yale University
Benjamin Wolff—cellist, professor, educator, and speaker—delights audiences with elegant and rare insights into the way creativity works. With an inspiring model of innovation from the worlds of art, business, and science, he weaves stories that span disciplines and history, leaving those who hear his message with a lesson that resonates deeply.
As a speaker, Ben's experience with interdisciplinary learning and thinking has given him the opportunity to present on subjects ranging from innovation to teamwork. He has delivered programs for the Trust X Alliance of Ingram Micro, the Center for Collaborative Organizations, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, the Lean Product and Process Development Exchange, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Harvard University, Williams College, Wellesley College, Yale University, Georgetown University, and Rice University in a special collaboration with NASA astronaut Dr. Donald Pettit.
Since 1998 he has been Associate Professor of Music at Hofstra University and a member of the Hofstra String Quartet. As an active professional cellist in the New York City area he performs with ensembles such as Early Music New York, Concert Royal, American Virtuosi, Oratorio Society, and American Classical Orchestra.
Ben is a member of the National Speakers Association and, currently, President of their New York City chapter.
Testimonials
"Benjamin Wolff's presentation, Product Development in the Arts, was a great way to kick off our second conference. His integration of music and video helped our participants shift into learning mode so that they could get maximum advantage from the rest of the agenda, and gave them new ways to think about how to apply Lean tools in their own work. From an event planning perspective, he was the consummate professional from start to finish-easy to work with, flexible, and trustworthy."
-- Katherine Radeka, Lean Product & Process Development Exchange
"Besides the enthusiastic ovation at the end, applause during a program is unheard of for our series."
-- Dr. Brent Warner, NASA
"Thank you so much for your vibrant, riveting presentation. You have a remarkable program." -- Dr. Peter Galison, Harvard University
"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your extraordinary performance."
-- Dr. John J. DeGioia, President, Georgetown University
"Your listeners were utterly enthralled."
-- Dr. James Ponet, Yale University
The Art of Teams
Like every democracy, however, that kind of...
The Box is a Gift
"Think inside the box"
We never hear this. And that's a mistake, because inside-the-box thinking is just as powerful as its better known twin, if not more so.The Box is a Gift inspires us to look at boundaries and limitations in a new way-to see them as hidden opportunities. Whether it's Henri Matisse using just scissors and colored paper to create an entirely new kind of art, the Japanese poetry master Basho writing in the strict forms of haiku, or...
Opening the Box (workshop)
Understanding how and why to create within boundaries is important. It's the first step. But without a process to apply inside-the-box thinking to particular innovation challenges it's just a concept-a nice idea. This breakout session-the second part of The Box is a Gift-puts theory into practice.
In this hands-on workshop, musician and educator Benjamin Wolff will demonstrate how constraints on our inventiveness-limitations like time, money, and resources-can actually work in our...
Beyond Words
The great Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach never wrote a mission statement. Or did he?
In this unique program, cellist, educator, and speaker Benjamin Wolff uses the music of J.S. Bach-specifically, his first Solo Cello Suite-to help corporate and association leaders find the critical meaning that is beyond words.
For organizations, a well constructed mission should stimulate new ideas and provide continuous strategic guidance. For musicians, the notes on the page...
