Jamming, is a form of improvisation, playing jazz covers already familiar or new musical ideas (Green, 2008). According to Green (2008), during improvisation within members of a band, informal peer-directed learning and group learning take place, both consciously and unconsciously. On the other hand, improvisation has been widely thought as a practice that promotes democratic values such as equality, autonomy, and the questioning of authorities (Wright & Kanellopoulos, 2010). Since anyone can take part in improvisation activities, it has a heritage of social inclusivity, where participants learn to negotiate and adjust to different opinions, being all equal (Sawyer, 2007). Moreover, it has been proved that improvisation plays a significant role in the development of students’ cognitive and social skills as well as individual autonomy (Beagle, 2010).This research investigates the intersection of informal learning practices and formal music education through a qualitative case study of an international collaboration. The project brings together music students from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) and the American College of Greece (Deree College) to engage in a peer-led, collaborative performance endeavor. Between this hybrid model, from traditional "top-down" instructional model, to informal learning practices, this study explores how students navigate creative autonomy and cross-cultural communication in a real-world musical setting.This study employs a Qualitative Case Study design, focusing specifically on the collaborative project between students from UQAM and ACG. This approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the "lived experience" of the participants as they navigate the shift from formal instruction to informal practice. Using a qualitative framework, the study utilizes semi structured interviews and field notes through observation to capture the lived experience of the participants. The research duration was one month, with 24 college students both from UQAM and ACG in the field of pop and jazz, participating in rehearsals, concerts and jam sessions. The qualitative research was a fieldwork and data analysis occurred from: a) notes from fieldwork b) videorecording analysis of the performances and c) individual interviewsFindings of the research revealed how the communication of the band members during their performance affected their technique, overall improvisation ability and confidence in playing on stage as professional musicians.