Creative Strings Workshop | Asheville
- 23 Years Experience
- 1,000+ Alumni
- 30 Participants
A transformative Musical retreat for players & teachers
Join 30 passionate musicians for an intensive 5-day retreat combining technique, improvisation, and performance in a supportive, judgment-free environment w/ violinist Christian Howes & friends.
Choose One of Two Weeks in Summer 2026
Session A: June 21st -June 26th with Austin Scelzo
Session B: June 28th – July 3rd with Jason Anick, Hamilton Hardin, and Chris Tate
- Session B is open to players on any instrument.
- Study harmony, rhythm, improvisation, & related subjects.
- Jam and play in a range of styles of your choosing, including Folk/Fiddle, Jazz, Latin, R&B, Pop, and World music.
- Refine technique and gain practice motivation.
- Choose from a structured buffet of 1-1, small, and large group instruction
Hear from Participants
Faculty
Faculty for both sessions includes Christian Howes, Camille Vogley-Howes, and Karl Henry.
Camille and Karl are multi-genre players and teachers with a deep experience in jazz, classical, old-time, bluegrass, and Scandinavian folk music.
Guest teachers Austin Scelzo and Medlyn Ilana will join us during Session A
Guest teachers Hamilton Hardin, Chris Tate, and Jason Anick will join us Session B.
special guests
Session A (June 21-26)
A specialist in Bluegrass, Roots, and Country fiddle, Austin was nominated by the International Bluegrass Music Association for Mentor of the Year.
Both sessions will include opportunities to study all styles and classes with Christian and the extended faculty.
Session A will also offer opportunities to jam and study within Bluegrass, Country, and Roots styles with Austin.
Other special guests for Session A will be announced.
Lana specializes in teaching instrumental technique, classics chamber music, old time music, and bluegrass.
Madelyn ilana is a violinist, singer-songwriter, and somatic practitioner. She brings a deeply embodied and creative approach to musical practice, integrating over a decade of experience in both the performing arts and the healing field.
Her teaching supports musicians in developing greater ease, expression, and creativity through the body. Drawing from her background as a somatic practitioner and martial artist, she weaves together Body Dialogue (including Breathing Coordination, Alexander Technique, and BodySoul Rhythms), along with qigong, yoga, and vocal toning practices to support nervous system regulation and creative flow.
Madelyn is certified in Body Dialogue, CranioSacral therapy, and Reiki energy healing, and is a certified clinical herbalist.
Her work invites musicians into a more integrated relationship with their bodies, their sound, and their creative voice.
SESSION B (June 28- july 3)
Equally proficient in classical, modern Jazz, and fiddle styles, Jason is widely known for his expertise in Jazz manouche. Anick is a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches string students harmony, improvisation, and overall musicianship in eclectic styles.
Both retreat sessions (Session A and B) will include a variety of eclectic styles, classes led by Christian faculty, and extended faculty. Session B, June 28 – July 3, will ALSO offer many opportunities to jam and study within swing, manouche, and hot club jazz with Jason.
Our OTHER special guests during Session B:
1. Award-winning composer Michael Jefrey Stevens. We will rehearse and perform his original compositions for strings and rhythm section.
2. Wunderkind multi-styles cellist Chris Tate will also join us Session B- making this the cello hang of hangs!
Hamilton Hardin is a highly respected multi-instrumentalist known for his deep musical insight and wide stylistic range.
Says camp founder and violinist Christian Howes,
“Hamilton is likely the most impressive musician alive in the world today. Show me anyone else who can play 13 instruments, write, arrange, and produce on such a virtuosic and creative level.
Besides this, Hamilton is an incredibly generous and thoughtful person who brings his all to every interaction, project, or setting.”
Plan Your Trip
Register
Tuition is $1,195. Register below.
Choose Your Food and Housing
Housing options:
Participants may book on-site through us or stay off-site.
On-site rates are per room, per night. Partners and families are welcome. Standard rooms, including two queen beds, are $130 per night. You have the option to share with another participant to split the cost of the room.
Food options:
You may eat meals onsite with us or eat off-site or on your own. We offer two meal plans for onsite meals:
- breakfast/lunch/dinner – $200
- lunch/dinner only – $150
Dinners on two concert evenings are on your own.
All classes are optional. Take breaks when you want. There are many options between large and small group classes, gentle and advanced, in many styles and topics. Since we cap our attendance at 30 people, all participants get opportunities for 1-1 feedback from faculty.
Session A or B
8:45 am Breakfast
9:30 am Classes
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Classes
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Classes
9:00 Jams and relax
Performance Opportunities
Playlist
2:12:50
2:11:08
1:17:11
2:12:51
While Creative Strings has traditionally served violinists, violists, and cellists, we also welcome musicians from many instrumental and vocal backgrounds in this collaborative environment during Session B.
Immerse Yourself
Find focus and calm in the beautiful Appalachian Highlands Conservancy at Christmount Retreat and Conference Center
Our beautiful retreat site has plenty of space,, plus easy access to mountain hikes, water holes, woods, rivers, and other attractions.
Stay on-site in a private or shared room with a mini-fridge, microwave, bathroom, wi-fi, and two queen beds.
Practice and rehearse in the many beautiful, comfortable, indoor and outdoor spaces.
Eat in the dedicated dining hall or outside near the garden.
Conveniently located just five minutes driving from the quaint historic downtown of Black Mountain, with breweries, coffee shops, and amazing food.
There are a plethora of mountain biking, hiking, and river experiences within 10-20 minutes’ drive, as well as Asheville’s downtown and arts districts.
Sunday to Friday- surround yourself with music, nature, and friends!
Local residents can commute if you choose.
Want professional development but don’t want to travel?
Take an online workshop instead.
Federal, state, and venue-based health and safety policies apply.
Transform your Musicianship
Connect with motivated players and teachers in a nurturing environment
Experience progress and accountability without vibing or negative judgment with the support of Christian, guest artists, and other participants.
Customizable
The focus is on YOUR goals
Personalized Instruction
1-1 feedback in an intimate setting
Unique
The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains; the convenienve of every amenity.
PAST Performances
In addition to tons of jamming/classes, we host optional public concerts.
Here are faculty & student highlights curated from past concerts.
Playlist
Register today
Enrollment is limited to 30 participants.
If you would like to attend both weeks of our summer music program, you can! Just complete a separate deposit for each session.
Deposits are non-refundable except in the case of cancellation of the event by the organizers. Credit for future events may be granted in extenuating circumstances at the organizer’s discretion.
Need help? Schedule a call
If you are looking for the best summer music program, or asking “where can I find one of the best violin summer camps near me” you found it.
Creative Strings is a non-profit organization with a mission to support music education through outreach, summer conference, and online curriculum.
