Joy in Marlboro

An invitation to join a very special community of professional musicians.

Kenny Werner and Eugene Friesen are hosting a retreat May 16-19, 2024 in Marlboro, Vermont

How many mornings have you awakened with the intention to practice, only to feel a sense of disappointment by day's end? You may have been saying to yourself, "I've got to start practicing, I've got to start practicing..." 

Let your practice bring you someplace new.

Joy in your practice is not just a possibility—it's an essential journey towards reclaiming the joy and fulfillment in your musical journey. 

Starting is the key. Once you take that first step, the weight of obligation disappears, paving the way for musical and personal discoveries to flourish. Practice becomes more than a routine—it becomes a sanctuary, a garden of self-acceptance, generosity, and joy that sustains both your playing and your well-being.

Breakthrough in Marlboro

Kenny Werner and Eugene Friesen invite you to embark on a journey of renewal and discovery tailored for professional musicians seeking to reinvigorate and reinvent their personal practice.

Limited to just 25 participants, our retreat schedule is designed to foster intimate group settings, personal reflection, and transformative experiences at the picturesque Potash Hill in southern Vermont, where music, nature, and inspiration converge.

You’re an accomplished musician.

Isn’t it time to be a
fulfilled musician?

The space, guidance and support you need to reinvigorate your professional practice.

Kenny Werner and Eugene Friesen invite you to embark on a journey of renewal and discovery tailored for professional musicians.

  • Kenny Werner is an American jazz pianist, composer, and author renowned for his groundbreaking philosophy of "Effortless Mastery" in music. With a career spanning several decades, Kenny has established himself as a leading figure in the world of jazz, earning acclaim for his innovative approach to improvisation and composition.

  • Grammy Award-winning recording and concert artist, on the faculty of Berklee College of Music since 1999, Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, author of “Improvisation for Classical Musicians” Berklee Press/Hal Leonard 2012. 

Joining them is a team of brilliant minds to help you reinvigorate and reinvent you personal practice.

  • Mitch works where mission meets message. Messaging, brand strategy and ideation/concept development - Mitch breaks it down to make it so simple that, as he says, “your grandmother can tell your story.”

    Mitch is convinced that the idea is the new medium. He has worked with companies big and small, enterprise and non-profit. He’s a skilled facilitator and presenter with a track record of finding synergy, traction, and opportunity where fear, over-thinking, and bureaucracy slow others.

  • Licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, working with Internal Family Systems and trauma therapy, group facilitation and Process Oriented Psychology. Professional singer for 40+ years, songwriter of international acclaim. Natural and whole foods chef with Kushi-Institute training (macrobiotic) and 15 years of experience cooking for retreats and workshop communities.

  • Kiffer Sikes founded and directed Common Capital, a nonprofit community loan fund, for 30 years. Common Capital financed local businesses, nonprofits and affordable housing developments.

    He is involved in “We’re all in this together”, a project which seeks to create leadership at the local level to address the systemic erosion of communities.

“This workshop has been mind-blowing
in an exploratory and self-love kind of way.”

— Kathryn Potter, North Carolina

You’re closer than you think to finding a new joy in your practice.

Formerly the campus of Marlboro College and longtime home to the renowned Marlboro Chamber Music Festival, Potash Hill exudes tranquility and beauty. Nestled amidst miles of Vermont woods, our retreat offers comfortable accommodations, exquisite food, and a stunning recital hall adorned with a Steinway concert grand piano.

Engage in enlightening sessions with our esteemed artists and guest faculty, participate in invigorating jam sessions and rehearsals, and savor wholesome meals that nourish both body and soul.

Single and shared rooms are available. Meals are a priority and a delight made from organic and local ingredients. Special dietary needs are happily accommodated.

FAQs

  • Thursday, May 16

    Potash Hill will begin welcoming Retreat participants by 4PM. You will be greeted by Emily Miles in the Dining Hall where you’ll receive your room key, campus map, and schedule. At 6 we’ll gather for dinner, followed by Session 1 in Serkin Recital Hall, Group Improv led by Eugene. This is the context in which surprising synchronicities, beauty, fun, and invention happen. Eugene will create a welcoming space where musical instinct becomes our shared language. Later in the evening the Dining Hall will remain open where tea and coffee will be available at all hours through the Retreat.

    Friday, May 17

    Breakfast will be served from 8-9:30.

    At 9:30AM, Eugene will lead a second session orbiting around free improvisation, intuitive communication, and “not knowing.”

    At 11:30, Christopher “Kiffer” Sikes, finance guru and community visionary, will present “Holistic Finance for Musicians.” Kiffer makes the connection between artistic freedom and community engagement with a new concept of artistic entrepreneurship.

    Lunch from 1-2:30PM will include the opportunity to interact further with Kiffer.

    At 2:30 we’ll gather in Serkin for our first meeting with Kenny Werner who will introduce and demonstrate aspects of “Effortless Mastery” in a setting prioritizing the creative mindsight we bring to our personal practices.

    After an intense day of new ideas and creative breakthroughs we’ll enjoy some time for rest and reflection from 4:30-6. Dinner will be served from 6-7:30.

    At 7:30 we’ll gather again in Serkin for the first of three Masterclasses. These feature a single player receiving the attention of faculty and fellow retreat participants. With the light of our small “family” shining on individual players and their unique gifts and characteristics, concepts of self-acceptance, generosity, lightness of spirit, and possibility become increasingly – and sometimes instantly – obvious. This is where our home practice is transformed: by the enlivening of our intention, our awareness, and our goals.

    Saturday, May 18th

    After breakfast, served from 8-9:30, we’ll reconvene in Serkin Recital Hall for Effortless Group Improv 3. As we become more attuned in our listening and responsiveness we will also begin to integrate concepts of rhythm drawn from global cultures to expand the diversity of our free play.

    Before lunch, at 11:30, we’ll hear from Marketing and Branding expert, Mitch Anthony. Mitch’s career is now focused on helping people do what they most love, and his advice for artists comes from a lifetime of experience. (Mitch’s newsletter, “Love & Work: How we work, learn, love, and live,” is a weekly source of inspiration.)

    After lunch from 1-2PM, we’ll enjoy Masterclass 2 in Serkin Recital Hall, 2:30-4:30.

    4-6PM will be time for jamming, rehearsing, practicing, or personal time followed by dinner, 6-7:30.

    At 8PM, Kenny and Eugene will present a concert open to the public in Serkin Recital Hall.

    Sunday, May 19th

    After breakfast, 8-9:30, we’ll meet for our final Masterclass, 9:30-11AM.

    At 11:30, we’ll offer an informal open-to-the-public Retreat Concert. This will be an opportunity to put new concepts, perceptions, and realizations into musical performance. Solos, rehearsed chamber works, improvised collaborations – all will be welcome.

    At 1PM, we’ll meet in the Dining Hall for lunch and a closing circle.

    SCHEDULE BRIEF

    Thursday, May 16th

    4PM – Registration and Dorms Open

    6PM – Dinner

    7:30 – Session 1 – Free Improvisation with Eugene Friesen

    Friday, May 17th

    8-9:30 – Breakfast

    9:30 – 11:15 - Session 2 with Eugene

    11:30 – 1 – Christopher Sikes, “Holistic Finance for Musicians”

    1- 2 – Lunch

    2:30 – Session 3 – Effortless Mastery with Kenny

    4:30 – 6 – Jamming, Rehearsing, Practicing, Personal Time

    6-7:30 – Dinner

    7:30 – Session 4 - Masterclass 1

    9 - ? – Free Time

    Saturday, May 18th

    8-9:30 – Breakfast

    9:30 – 11:15 - Session 5 – Effortless Group Improv

    11:30 -1 – “Marketing and Branding for Artists” – Mitch Anthony

    1 – 2 – Lunch

    2:30 – 4 – Session 6 – Masterclass 2

    4 - 6 - Jamming, Rehearsing, Practicing, Personal Time

    6 - 7:30 – Dinner

    7:30 – Kenny Werner & Eugene Friesen in Concert

    Sunday, May 19th

    8 - 9:30AM – Breakfast

    9:30 – 11 - Session 7 – Masterclass 3

    11:30 - 1 – Retreat Concert

    1 – 2:00 – Lunch & Closing Circle

    2PM - depart

  • • Springtime in Vermont

    • Instant community with fellow artists

    • A new sense of lightness and ease in music making and playing your instrument

    • The possibility to reframe your relationship with music, your instrument, and your community

    • Ideas to market and brand your musical identity and dreams

    • New ways to think about the economics of artistry

    • New contacts, networks, repertoire, collaborators, and friendships

    • Fresh teaching methods

    • Affirmations of self-care and joy relating to your home practice

    • Wonderful food

    • Time to reflect/journal

    • Surprising spontaneous music making

    • Enhanced awareness in listening and responsiveness in creative play

  • Your retreat package includes room and board, 3 nourishing meals a day, all lectures, programming, and curriculum. Transportation is not provided.

Introducing a revolution in classical music education.

Don't miss this opportunity to rejuvenate your passion for music and reignite your artistic spirit. Reserve your spot now and embark on a transformational journey that will leave an indelible mark on your musical and personal growth.