Listening. Hearing. Two words that are often put together, but have very different meanings. Massa guides us, through the medium of improvised music, how we can better our relationships, and how learning the difference between listening and hearing can launch us into deeper connection and understanding. Rapid City native trumpeter Alexander Massa has been on the move for the past 12 years. Having just turned 30, he has spent his twenties obtaining one and one-half degrees, residing in five different cities in three countries, and most importantly (to him), connected with and been involved dearly with communities during each of his many moments in these places. These have all happened because of, in support of, in spite of, and in defiance of, music. One of the most beautiful things Alexander has discovered, is that the most unapologetically beautiful moments cannot be prepared for. They cannot be rehearsed and they cannot be recreated. Each experience of growth must come from a natural state of curiosity and the desire to listen and understand. That desire to understand and relate, combined with basic human interaction gives us the potential to instantly be attracted or repelled from someone. Do our expectations of one another disallow us the opportunity to relate to one another? It has been a goal of Massa to answer this, and through the concepts of true improvised music, he has learned, and continues to learn, ways to connect to all people, regardless of our outward perceptions and assumptions about each human. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx