ANNOUNCING

2008 Summer Workshop at Laurel Mill
2008 Spring Workshop at Sorensen's Resort

Jump to Sorensen's Resort Workshop 2008
Jump to Laurel Mill Workshop 2008



2008 Weekend Intensive Guitar Workshops with Alex de Grassi

Once again we are pleased to announce that Alex will be offering a three-day intensive guitar workshop at the Laurel Mill Lodge in Los Gatos, California Even if you have contacted us previously requesting a spot in the workshop, please respond to this announcement in order to register!

The workshop will be held on July 11-13, beginning Friday morning at 11 a.m. and ending on Sunday at 5 p.m. The Lodge is situated in a secluded spot among the redwoods along Soquel Creek in the heart of the Santa Cruz mountains. There is a large conference room, two smaller practice rooms, large decks and lawns and several outbuildings in a rustic, park-like atmosphere.

The Workshop
The workshop will focus on performing, arranging, and composing for acoustic fingerstyle guitar. Alex will share his insight into the techniques and inspiration that have become an integral part of his unique style.

Dynamics, articulation, phrasing, tone, polyrhythms, right/left hand technique, cross-string technique, extended techniques, and alternate tunings will be covered in a very hands-on approach.

This is an interactive workshop designed to improve your playing and ability to arrange music for guitar, whether you are an instrumentalist or a singer who uses the guitar as accompaniment.

The workshop time will be divided into three parts:

1. A master class where students will perform before the group for constructive critique and feedback;
2. Exercises/demonstration where Alex will demonstrate and teach excerpts from his own compositions and arrangements;
3. One-on-one time with participants focusing on individual players' needs and interests. The one-on-one time will allow other participants time to prepare, practice, and share ideas.

Evenings after dinner will be devoted to informal performances, jam-sessions and free time.

Players of all backgrounds are welcome, but should be intermediate to advanced fingerstyle players. The workshop is limited to 12 participants. Each participant should be prepared to perform one piece in the master class and another piece informally with the group and/or during the one-on-one session with Alex. You should arrive prepared to play:
1. A composition or arrangement by a known composer or fingerstyle performer, or an original composition;
2. An original composition or an arrangement of a theme to be assigned by Alex at the time of registration.

The ability to read music is not required, but Alex will be handing out music and written exercises in tablature and standard notation, so some experience with one or the other will be a plus.

These will include new materials specifically designed for the 2008 summer guitar workshops.

Fees and Registration
The workshop will run from 11 a.m. on Friday, July 11 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 13. The fee is $600 per person, and requires a $300 deposit for registration. The fee includes the workshop and meals (Friday lunch through Sunday lunch).

To register for the workshop, please reply to this notice with the following information:
Name
Address
Phone
Email
Workshop date
Vegetarian?
Other Special Dietary Requirements?
Lodging preference (See Accommodations below. This can also be arranged at a later date.)

Also, please include a very brief description of your playing level, musical training/background, and any performance experience.

Please note that your registration will not be final until we have received your $300 deposit! Make your check payable to Alex de Grassi and mail to PO Box 772, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 or if you prefer to pay for your deposit via PayPal (you do not need a PayPal account) using your credit card by clicking the on the PayPal link below. Please note that your deposit is refundable up to 30 days before the start of the workshop. Beyond the 30 days we will only refund your deposit if we can fil the place vacated by your cancellation.

Accommodations
A variety of accommodations are available. Days are warm and evenings are cool but mild, and chances of rain in July in California are very slim. All showers are in a communal shower area and can be easily scheduled for privacy. Bring your own towel and soap.

1. There is a big, green, level creekside meadow for camping. You will need to supply your own camping gear. You can also bring a sleeping bag and pad/futon and sleep on the floor in the conference room. These options are free.
2. There are A-frame, campstyle dormitories, with bunks and futons which are an additional $20 per night. You will need to bring a sleeping bag or bedding for the dormitories.
3. If you prefer to sleep in a cabin with a private bathroom and deck there will be an additional cost of $80 per night; cabins with fireplaces are an additional $100 per night. We will coordinate cabin reservations and you will pay the cabin fees directly to the proprieters on your arrival at the workshop.

Arrangements can be made for anyone wanting to stay a Thursday or Sunday night as well. Extra night lodging fees are the same as for the two workshop nights, and a $20 camping fee will be charged for extra nights.

Facilities
The Lodge has an "Olympic size" hot-tub and and a sauna, and some limited hiking in the redwoods. Croquet and badminton have become favorite diversions before dinner.

Meals will be designed to accommodate vegetarians and non-vegetarians. If anyone has some serious dietary restrictions, please contact us well in advance, and we will try to accommodate your needs. Wine and beer will not be provided, but you may bring your own. We plan a hearty meal on Friday and Saturday nights, followed by an ad hoc concert, jam session, and a chance to socialize.

The Laurel Mill Lodge is a former children's summer camp and is located a few miles off Highway 17 in a redwood forest, about ten miles northeast of Santa Cruz. It's about 50 minutes from San Jose airport, approximately one hour from San Francisco airport, and an hour plus from the Oakland airport. We will provide directions once you have registered for the workshop.

Contact Us
If we haven't answered all your questions yet, please email us at alex@degrassi.com or call us at 707-485-1083.


Alex de Grassi
Tropo Records
P.O. Box 772
Redwood Valley, CA 95470
alex@degrassi.com
http://www.degrassi.com




Jump to Sorensen's Resort Workshop 2008
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March 9-12 Guitar Workshop with Alex de Grassi
... at the beautiful Sorensen's Resort high in the central Sierra Nevada.

For the first time, Alex will be offering a guitar workshop at Sorensen's Resort in the high Sierra of California. Located in the scenic Hope Valley at 7,000 feet just 20 miles south of Lake Tahoe, Sorensen's offer a variety of cozy cabins to suit your individual or family needs (most with kitchens) with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right out the back door, and downhill skiing nearby at Kirkwood and various Lake Tahoe slopes. Come enjoy winter activities or the silence and soliltude of the woods while you hone your guitar playing skills.

The Workshop
The workshop will begin with a reception/get-together on Sunday evening, and continue through Wednesday night. Alex will focus on technique, performance, arranging and much more in an intimate workshop setting (limited to 10) that will include time for some one-on-one instruction. In addition to guitar-playing, we will make time each day for skiing or winter fun in the snow. There are also hot springs at nearby Markleeville.

More Workshop Details
The workshop will focus on performing, arranging, and composing for acoustic fingerstyle guitar. Alex will share his insight into the techniques and inspiration that have become an integral part of his unique style.

Dynamics, articulation, phrasing, tone, polyrhythms, right/left hand technique, cross-string technique, extended techniques, and alternate tunings will be covered in a very hands-on approach.

This is an interactive workshop designed to improve your playing and ability to arrange music for guitar, whether you are an instrumentalist or a singer who uses the guitar as accompaniment.

The workshop time will be divided into three parts:
1. A master class where students will perform before the group for constructive critique and feedback;
2. Exercises/demonstration where Alex will demonstrate and teach excerpts from his own compositions and arrangements;
3. One-on-one time with participants focusing on individual players' needs and interests.

In order to provide time for participants to enjoy outdoor activities, we will likely meet for part of the day and also in the evening, depending on the weather.

Players of all backgrounds are welcome, but should be intermediate to advanced fingerstyle players. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. Each participant should be prepared to perform one piece in the master class and another piece informally with the group and/or during the one-on-one session with Alex. You should arrive prepared to play:

1. A composition or arrangement by a known composer or fingerstyle performer, or an original composition;
2. An original arrangement of a theme of your choice.
The ability to read music is not required, but Alex will be handing out music and written exercises in tablature and standard notation, so some experience with one or the other will be a plus.

Fees and Registration
We will have an informal reception/get-together Sunday evening, March 9, and the workshop will continue Monday through Wednesday evening, March 12. We will keep the workshop hours flexible to take advantage of good weather for outdoor activities. For lodging and required workshop reservations, please call Sorensens at (800) 423-9949. For more detailed information about what Alex will cover in the workshop, email us at alex@degrassi.com.

The workshop fee is $400 for guests of the lodge, and $450 for non-guests.

Lodging and meals are extra, and Sorensen's will be offering a special 4 nights for the price of 3 that week.

Please note that your registration will not be final until we have received your $400 fee! Sorensen's has a 14 day refund policy. If you cancel within 14 days, your fee and accomodations will not be refunded unless we can fill your place in the workshop and/or the lodging.

Accommodations
Sorensen's has 35 cabins, with a variety capable of accommodating singles, couples, or families. For details, plesae contact Sorensen's directly or visit their website at www.sorensensresort.com

Accommodations can be booked for anyone wishing to extend their stay as well.

Facilities
The Lodge has a restaurant with a variety of wonderful and reasonbably priced meals. Most cabins are also equipped with a kitchen stocked with everything you need to cook and serve your own meals.

There is also a large wood fired sauna, and many trails into the woods right out your cabin door. You can also enjoy bathing in the Olympic size Grover Hot Springs in nearby Markleeville.

Getting There
The resort lies one mile east of the intersection of Highways 88 and 89, 12 miles south of Highway 50 and Lake Tahoe. If you're flying in, the Reno, Nevada airport is 70 minutes away and the best choice. The Sacramento, California airport is 2.5 hours away, and can present more challenges for traffic and weather.

Contact Us
If we haven't answered all your questions yet, please contact Sorensen's Resort for information regarding registration, and lodging at (800) 423-9949, or visit their website at www.sorensensresort.com For more information regarding the content or details of the workshop itself, please email us at alex@degrassi.com or call us at 707-485-1083.