2026

SUMMER CAMP—SEMINARS & SEMINAR LEADERS

Patti Powell

Making a song your own: All Levels
This is for solo singers! Got a song you’re loving to sing, but feel like you and it need a bit of a tune up? Come to camp with a song or two in mind that you’re wanting to hone. Everyone will get a chance to present their song and then Patti will work with you, in a warm and supportive environment. Please bring sheet music or a chord chart for accompaniment.

Harmony Singing Grooviness: All Levels
Always wanted to sing cool harmonies with a bunch of like minds? Patti will warmly and enthusiastically welcome you to being a Singing Gang for the week! We’ll explore how to work out harmonies for tunes that are beautiful, soulful, or just plain kickass FUN.
No experience required – if you have a pulse, you’re invited!

Daniel Sinclair

Intro to Fingerstyle Guitar: Level 1-2
Let’s get started in fingerstyle guitar! We’ll look at a beginner-friendly song and break it into bite-size pieces. We’ll focus on the fundamental skills underlying most fingerstyle playing. We’ll work on getting the thumb and fingers moving independently, and you’ll take away some practice ideas to build up your fingerstyle skills. You’ll want to be comfortable with a few chords, but this class is beginner-friendly.

Fingerstyle Guitar Next Steps: Level 2-3
How do we build on the fundamentals of fingerstyle guitar? Let’s look at rhythm, syncopation and dynamics as tools to play more expressively. You’ll come away with some ideas that can help you grow your fingerstyle repertoire. If you’ve already started on the road toward thumb-and-finger independence, or if you’ve got a fingerstyle tune or two under your belt, this class will help you expand your skills.

Cara Luft

Songwriting: All Levels
There is no “right” way to write a song, but there are tools and tips we can explore that can help bring a song to life. We’ll examine the beauty and power of rhythm, rhyme, structure, chord voicing, melody and its interaction with the lyric, and how to incorporate these tools into a song you need to sing. We’ll spend time in group discussion while we listen to examples, tackle questions and use some collaborative songwriting exercises. We’ll talk about the line between the personal and universal, and the value in editing and exploring different avenues. Bring paper, your voice, instrument of choice and an open heart. Oh, and we’ll also have some fun!

Stagecraft & Performance Techniques: All Levels
Make the most out of your live performance! We’ll discuss how to prepare your songs and how to prepare yourself for a live performance. We’ll look at technical things like gear and stage set up, engaging your audience, creating a strong set list, tuning (and talking at the same time!), communicating with your band members, how to ask for what you need from the stage and sound crew, and so much more! And we’ll go a bit deep with non-technical things like asking yourself why you’ve chosen the songs you have and “serving the song.” Students are encouraged to come prepared to share a song with the class, with questions they may have around arrangement and performance.

Guido Heistek

Guido’s Guitar Grab Bag: Level 2-3
We will do two contrasting things in this course. In the first class, we will explore a finger-style arrangement by Eva Cassidy. We will perform the song as a group and then work on a stand-alone arrangement. In the second class we will peruse minor and major pentatonic scales and more to create solos over chord progressions. Then, we will endeavour to take what we’ve learned about soloing and apply it to the song from the first day. What an adventure!

Ukulele Band: Levels 2-3
One unique aspect of the ukulele is how well its voice blends for ensemble playing. The beautiful harp like quality of the ukulele seems to be perfectly suited for arranging. Simple single note parts blend to create magnificent textures, and rhythmic counterpoint. We will look at a variety of jazz, pop, folk and classical arrangements. All levels welcome. Arrangements written for G, C, E, A tuning. There will be opportunities for soloing, strumming, plucking and, of course, ensemble playing. Come join the band! Some experience with ukulele tablature will be very helpful.

Neil Fraser

A Field Of Wild Chords: Level 2-3
In this class we will explore the shifting of some common open chord shapes up and down the neck, while still retaining some open strings contained in the original position of the chord. We will move the C, A, G, E and D open chord shapes, and also some triad and diad shapes to different positions on the neck. This combination of open strings and fretted notes is very fertile ground and yields some very unique and beautiful sounds.

Blues Soloing as a Culinary Art: Level 3-4
In this class we will explore the use of three blues related scales (the Pentatonic minor, the Blues scale and the Pentatonic major). Each one of these scales has its own unique character, with the Pent. minor and the Blues scale often being termed ‘savoury or salty’, and the Pent. major being described as ‘sweet’.
We will first isolate each scale as a separate sound and solo over a simple blues progression, comparing the three sounds. Then we’ll look at combining all three scales into one composite scale. Another approach would be juxtaposing each individual scale, exploring how they might be employed at different stages in a blues progression.

Mark Kilianski

Bluegrass Guitar: Level 3-4
Dive headfirst into the rhythm and lead styles of players like Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Tony Rice, and Billy Strings! We will cover the techniques and the history of Bluegrass flatpicking, using standard fiddle tunes and songs to explore improvisation, and expand facility up and down the neck. Practice routine, music theory, and the musician’s mindset will all be discussed. We’ll do some ear training, listening, watching, and laughing too!

The Wide World of String Band (Rhythm) Guitar Level 2-4
The groove is in your hands! Guitar is the glue of a string band’s collective rhythm. We’ll explore many elements of this broad style, including timing, tone, chord choices, bass runs, jam etiquette, practice techniques, and more. We’ll listen to a wide array of approaches to guitar across the Old Time genre and discuss this world of possibilities, as well the history and development of the music.

Barry Corbett

Canadian Song Writers: All Levels
We’ll do a deep dive of the talented musicians in this great land, starting with our very own British Columbia. We’ll play artists from coast to coast, exploring the talent that has put Canada on the international stage as well as some you may not be as familiar with. Be prepared for open discussion and playing together. All instruments welcome.

Slow Pitch Jam: Level 1 – 2.
Playing with other people is one of the fundamental joys of music – we’ll play lots of 2 and 3 chord songs, focusing on how to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable to play along. What are the important factors in choosing and leading a song, how do I leave room for breaks, what do I practice at home to make jamming with other people more fun – come with questions and open minds! All instruments welcome.

Jennifer Scott

On the spot arranging: All Levels
One part song selection, one part improvisation and lots of collaboration and community as we build fun accapella (or not!) vocal arrangements from known repertoire. An excellent skill-building class for those who’d like to “arrange by ear”.

The Complete Singer: All Levels
Part vocal technique, part movement/breath – this course offers wellness for any level of singer. A variety of repertoire will also be offered to complement our technique work.

Peter May

Bass Strings: Level 2-3
Maybe you’ve dabbled with a bass guitar—maybe you even have one waiting for inspiration to strike. Whether you’re new to the instrument or already have some experience, this class will help you develop your essential bass-guitar bass-ics and get you grooving with confidence.

With songs as our foundation, we’ll explore:

• The bass’s vital role in an ensemble
• Key right- and left-hand techniques
• How to choose the right notes—and the right moments
• Skills that make playing with others fun and intuitive

Harmonica–The Ultimate Portable Instrument: Level 1-2
Get ready to make your harmonica sing! In this class, we’ll explore some essential techniques and approaches that bring this small but mighty instrument to life. We’ll cover chords, single notes, melodies, and rhythm accompaniment. If time allows, we’ll dive into fun extras like playing in different “positions” (including 2nd position/blues harp).

No experience needed! That said, being able to play clean notes will help you get even more out of the class—and let you jump into some Level 2 material (consider that your friendly nudge to practice!).
Bring your enthusiasm and at least one diatonic (10-hole) harmonica in the key of C. Guitar-and-rock players are welcome too—we’ll spend some time on that if possible.