Hawaii Guitar Retreat June 19 - 26
Hawaii Guitar Retreat (June 19-26, 2025)
Come study the guitar in a serene and inspiring environment on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii June 19-26, 2025 with world-renowned classical guitarist William Jenks. On this exciting retreat, each participant will expand their musicianship and knowledge of the classical guitar, experience some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, and build lifetime memories while making music with others. Register now as space is limited.
William Jenks has had over 25 years of teaching experience both privately and at the university level. He has performed critically acclaimed concerts, taught master classes, and served on the jury for international guitar competitions across the globe including many prestigious music festivals in Europe, South America, as well as a sold out choral performance in Carnegie Hall. He has presented over 200 concerts and 100 master classes of some of the greatest classical guitarists in the world including John Williams, The Romeros, Eliot Fisk, Manuel Barrueco, the Assads, David Russell, Sharon Isbin, Roland Dyens, Carlo Barboss-Lima, Ana Vidovic and many more. His teaching method gleams from the best of the best while utilizing a clear, disticnt, and systematic approach to the guitar. He presents key material in an easygoing and compelling manner and emphasises that learning the guitar should be a fun. The focus of this retreat will be to bring out the full potential of each student while creating lasting memories.
On this retreat, not only will you be inspired musically, you will also experience some of the best that the Big Island has to offer with personalized tours by William Jenks. While living on the island over the past 7 years along with his partner Michelle who has lived on the islands most of her life, you will get an insightful, personalized understanding of the island and Hawaiian culture. You will experience one of the most beautiful beaches in the World - Hapuna Beach State Park, experience the roaring fire-breathing wonder of Pele at Volcano National Park, see breathtaking waterfalls on the east side of the island, and take in the awesome sight of the tallest mountain in the world - Mauna Kea.
Complete Course Registration Fee - $750 (Over 37 hours of Instruction)
Registration Deadline June 1 (online guitar ensemble rehearsals begin May 15)
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Guitar Technique Workshop (5 - Hour Workshop)
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Performance Anxiety Class (6 - Hour Workshop)
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Individual Tailored Private Lessons (Two, One - Hour Individual Lessons)
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Ensemble Rehearsals and Performances (18 - Hours of Ensemble Rehearsal Time)
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Student Recitals for Solos and Ensembles (4 - Hours of Recital Experience)
Guitar Workshop Only Registration Fee - $425 (Over 17 - Hours of Instruction)
Registration Deadline June 1
-
Guitar Technique Workshop (5 - Hour Workshop)
-
Performance Anxiety Class (6 - Hour Workshop)
-
Individual Tailored Private Lessons (Two, One - Hour Individual Lessons)
-
Student Recitals for Solos (4 - Hours of Recital Experience)
Guitar Ensemble Class Only Registration Fee - $425 (Over 22 - Hours of Ensemble Rehearsal and Instruction)
Registration Deadline June 1 (online guitar ensemble rehearsals begin May 15)
-
Ensemble Rehearsals and Performances (18 - Hours of Ensemble Rehearsal Time)
-
Student Recitals for Ensembles (4 - Hours of Recital Experience)
Please Note: Classical guitar students of all levels all over the globe are welcome as well as local Hawaii residents. You will be required to bring your own classical guitar. We have some lodging accommodations available at no charge on a first come first serve basis. Please indicate that you would like to stay in our provided lodging upon registration. We will email you back right away what we have available to see if that will work for you.
Once those complimentary spaces are full, we will be organizing a group rate for the remaining students. Students will need to stay three nights in the Kona area checking in June 19 and checking out June 22 and four nights in the Volcano area checking in June 22 and checking out June 26. The airport to fly in and out of will be the Kona International Airport (KOA).
Once we have the total number of students that are attending, we will suggest lodging accommodations and get you the best rate possible. If you’re willing to share a condo with other students, the cost of lodging will be considerably lower. In this scenario, each student will have their own private bedroom, but the bathroom, kitchen space, and living space would be shared with other students. Students are welcome to bring spouses, family, friends, or significant others but in this case it is best if students arrange their own lodging. Students traveling alone are also welcome to get their own lodging.
Ground transportation will be limited to and from events so it’s best if you rent a car if you want to have complete control and flexibility for driving around the island. The island is quite large and spread out so using ride share services such as Uber or taxis would not be practical.
Audition for a Scholarship and Save up to 100% of the Registration Fee
We are offering up to four scholarships for students demonstrating exceptional musical ability. Your audition must include two submitted unedited video recordings. The first video must be of any movement and any guitar part from George Frideric Handel's Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 1. transcribed by Jeremy Sparks (download this music below). The second video must be a classical guitar solo piece of your choice.
Scholarship Levels Awarded are as follows:
Bronze - 25% off the registration fee
Silver - 50% off the registration fee
Gold - 75% off the registration fee
Platinum - 100% off the registration fee
Fill out this scholarship application form and upload your audition video by no later than 11:59 PM June 1 Hawaii Time. We will notify you June 2nd if you were selected to receive a scholarship June 2nd.
All Students attending will need to fill out this registration form by June 1st. To guarantee your enrollment, you must also purchase one of the three options listed above. To apply for a scholarship, it is not necessary to purchase the class in advance. Just fill out this form and upload your audition videos by no later than June 1st. We will notify you of our decision of whether you were chosen for a scholarship by June 2nd. It is possible that you could be chosen for a partial scholarship or a complete scholarship (see the four levels above).