join us
Join us for a three-day classical guitar haven where you will listen to, learn from, and play with two of the most versatile guitarists of our time - Jason Vieaux and Peppino D’Agostino. No matter your skill level, this classical guitar retreat will give you valuable tips, provide useful personal feedback, and help you improve both your practice and your proficiency.
We will touch on subjects such as the five indispensable exercises all classical guitarists should master, effective practice even with limited time, sight reading essentials, and conquering performance anxiety. Additionally, you will learn some of Jason’s favorite etudes and techniques for expanding your repertoire.
Not only will you get a chance for feedback from these gifted guitarists, but they will also share many of the tricks, techniques and tips they have developed after years of focusing on all things guitar. And as this retreat is based on “active learning”, you will be playing your guitar a lot - with other students, as part of an ensemble, or with Jason and Peppino during the evening “open mic” sessions.
Our retreats are intimate, relaxed gatherings that bring those who love the guitar together for the pure joy of making new musical friends, learning from the best, partaking in good food and wine – and just being creative in an inspiring environment. This immersive classical guitar experience is a fun-filled, three day, week-end getaway located in the beautiful Bay area. Situated half-way between San Francisco and Napa Valley wine region, this retreat location couldn’t be better.
meet YOUR guitar INSTRUCTORS
Jason Vieaux
Jason Vieaux, is “among the elite of today's classical guitarists” (Gramophone), and is described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation.” He is one of only six guitarists in history to have received the prestigious Grammy Award for "Best Solo Instrumental." This remarkable achievement was awarded to him in 2015 for his groundbreaking album "PLAY."
Jason’s multiple appearances over the last 20 years, for San Francisco Performances, Caramoor Festival, Ravinia Festival, Round Top Festival, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, 92nd St Y, CMS Lincoln Center, Wolf Trap, etc., cemented his reputation as one of the world’s leading guitarists. He has performed as a soloist with over 150 orchestras, including Cleveland, Toronto, Houston, Nashville and St. Louis, working with renowned conductors such as Giancarlo Guererro, Jahja Ling, Gerard Schwarz, and David Robertson.
Vieaux’s strong presence on radio and streaming services continues with his acclaimed “Bach Volume 2: Works for Violin”, which was released April 2022 to rave reviews from Gramophone and others. Vieaux recorded Pat Metheny’s “Four Paths of Light” (dedicated to Jason), for Metheny’s 2021 album “Road To The Sun” on BMG Modern.
His regular collaborators include the Escher String Quartet, violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, Bandoneonist Julien Labro, and Grammy-winners Sasha Cooke (Mezzo-soprano), Yolanda Kondonassis (harp), Zuill Bailey (cello) and Timothy McAllister (saxophone). Vieaux co-founded the guitar department at the Curtis Institute of Music in 2011 (with David Starobin), and has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 28 years. He also teaches a large classical guitar program on ArtistWorks, an online educational music site.
peppino d’agostino
D'Agostino, a native of Italy, has been hailed as “a guitarist's guitarist” by Acoustic Guitar magazine as well as “a giant of the acoustic guitar” (San Diego Reader), and holds many top guitar awards - even his Peppino D'Agostino Seagull Signature Guitar model was ranked as one of the 10 best signature guitars by Guitar Player Magazine.
D’Agostino has performed in more than 31 countries; been featured at prestigious international music festivals, and frequently plays with prominent artists around the world, including Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor, and Eric Johnson. His 18 recordings include releases on Favored Nations, Mesa/Bluemoon, Acoustic Music Records, and other labels.
When not performing D’Agostino also enjoys teaching and writing. He has worked with leading publishers and music instruction leaders such as Berklee School of Music in Boston, Mass., Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp, Swannanoa Gathering, Guitar Workshop Plus, Guitar by Masters, and Truefire. One thing is true – Peppino is always thinking guitar.
What will You be Doing each day?
Playing Your Guitar (all day and into the evening too!). This is a high-energy, hands-on retreat where all activities are designed to help improve your skills and performance.
Improving Your Technique
We will study each participant’s technical issues and offer real solutions that will make your playing better, improve your repertoire list, your overall sound, and ease of playing.
Elevating Your Practice
You’ll learn new exercises to use in your daily practice that will enhance your progress.
Exploring Classical Guitar
You’ll be exposed to the world of classical guitar and approaches that will build your skills.
Learning New Tunes
We will build your repertoire over these few days and give you many new things to share with your musical friends back home. You will also have a handbook full of the music we will be playing.
Getting Inspiration
There’s nothing like a concentrated event like this to re-ignite that fire in your creativity and guitar playing.
Performing On Stage
If you want, you will be able to perform as part of a large guitar ensemble and in some smaller groups at our final concert.
pricing and plans
RETREAT PARTICIPANT
$1725
ALL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
ALL WORKSHOPS (14+ hrs instruction)
2 Lunches & 2 Dinners
Evening jam sessions & instructor performances
Sunday afternoon student performance and concert
PARTNER ADD-ON
$300
PERFECT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Free time to explore the area
2 Lunches & 2 Dinners
Evening jam sessions & instructor performances
Sunday afternoon community guitar concert
What Do You Get?
All Workshops ♫
Over 14 hours of guitar sessions with Jason and Peppino.
Good Food**♫**
Join Jason, Peppino, and all of your guitar buddies for two lunches and two dinners at nearby restaurants.
Evening Open Mic/Jam Sessions ♫
Bring your guitar to these post dinner music sessions where you can play something you've been working on or listen to others share a favorite piece.
Faculty Performances**♫**
Close-up and intimate performances with Jason, Peppino, and other guest musicians just for our participants.
Sunday Concert**♫**
If you want, you can join Jason, Peppino, and other students perform at a local venue. There will opportunities to play in big and small ensembles.
What Will You Learn?
5 Essential Exercises for ALL Classical Guitarists
Etudes for skill improvement
Sight Reading Development
Effective Practice
Scales, Chords, and More
Nail Care
Injury Prevention and Stretching
Guitar Ensemble Musicianship
Tone Improvement Exercises
Dynamic Expression
Relaxation and Performance Tips
THE LOCATION
Benicia is a small historic town in the Bay Area, located on the Carquinez Straits about halfway between San Francisco and the Napa Valley. Its quaint, small downtown has a host of boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and other interesting establishments that lead right to the water’s edge. This one-time state capital (1853-54) has a colorful history that can still be felt today – and is part of the charm that has attracted many artists and musicians to call this place home.
BENICIA waterfront: on the carquinez straits
between San Francisco and the Napa valley
evening meals at local restaurants
Even Dunlop Manufacturing, a leading producer of electronic effects, picks, capos, slides, strings and other musical instrument accessories has made Benicia its headquarters ever since its beginning days in 1965 when they started making such legendary products as the Crybaby wah-wah pedal and Tortex picks. We are so grateful for their years of product development and service to musician’s all over the world.
THE DAILY SCHEDULE*
Friday, October 10
Friday, October 10
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm Students Arrive
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Retreat Welcome, Introductions, and Overview
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm Workshop I
7:00 pm – 8:45 pm Dinner
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm Instructor Concert & Evening Jams
Saturday, October 11
Saturday, October 11
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop II
11:00 – 12:30 pm Workshop III
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm Lunch
2:00 pm – 3:30 Workshop IV
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Coffee Break
4:00 – 5:30 pm Workshop V
7:00 – 8:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm Evening Jams
Sunday, October 12
Sunday, October 12
9:30 am – 11:00 Workshop VI
11:30 am – 1:00 pm Workshop VII
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Lunch
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Workshop VIII
4:00pm – 5:00pm Performance at Local Venue
5:15 pm – 6:30 Reception and Wrap-Up
*Subject to Modification
This is What Participants tell us…
Our Retreats have been life changing Musical moments for many who have attended. Here’s what a few had to say about their experience learning from Jason Vieaux and Peppino D’Agostino…
“Jason’s exceptional teaching method, honed through years of study, surpasses all other methods of learning this instrument. His meticulous attention to detail and exceptional interpersonal skills has inspired me to master new techniques between my busy medical career. Jason’s guidance has shaped my musical journey, for which I am eternally grateful.”
Sudhakar S.
“I have taken master classes with some of the biggest names in the classical guitar world and have found that great players are not necessarily great teachers. Jason Vieaux is one of the few world-class performers who is also a remarkable teacher. I have studied with him for years and my playing has never been more technically accurate, or more musical!”
John B.
"It was great meeting and interacting with all of you guitar aficianados, it was a pleasure to listen to you perform and to share a few pieces with you, and to get to know you a bit during breaks!
I will be processing and trying to internalize what was presented in the sessions for many months to come!”
Jay R.
"Peppino is a fantastic guitarist who has monster chops in many different genres of music, from country to Bossa Nova to classical. He can also play Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed tunes all day long. I have attended several of Peppino's workshops in Benicia, CA - and alway leave the experience with something new. They are excellent opportunities to spend a long weekend with Peppino and a group of like-minded players who come from all over the country to attend. We have a great time learning new tunes, techniques and making new lasting friendships. The food is excellent too. Peppino is a very humble and engaging person, which sometimes lulls you into forgetting that you are working with one of the premiere acoustic guitarists on the planet. I highly recommend this retreat."
Chris M.
"Thank you for all of your efforts, attention to detail, and hard work to make the guitar retreat such a success. It was an extraordinary experience for me. The teaching was inspiring and the camaraderie was wonderful. There was great playing by teachers and students alike."
Duncan S.
“I have studied with Jason for 13 years online through Artistworks. I have also had about a half dozen one-on-on lessons with him over the years as well. He has refined my technique and opened new ways for me to think about the pieces I play; the broad sweep of interpretation and how to craft that through attention to detail. He has helped me improve my sound and tone, given fantastic practical advice on how to approach practicing and learning new pieces, to think about choreographing left hand movements over the fretboard, how to begin to overcome performance anxiety. He has an endless amount of patience, instills a joyous love of music and the classical guitar, and brings the same level of enthusiasm to the student regardless of whether you are an absolute beginner or more advanced player. I have learned so much from listening to him instruct beginning students about basic approach and technique. It’s been an honor and a privilege to study with him and get to know him as person.”
Mitch S.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE RETREAT TAKE PLACE? ♫
The retreat classes will take place in Benicia, CA. from October 10 - 12, 2025. Upon registration you will receive more detailed information about the local venues being used for the classes, evening jams, and meals. A list of local lodging spots and transportation options to get to Benicia will also be included. Six weeks before the retreat you will receive the final retreat schedule.
Q. CAN MY PARTNER ATTEND EVEN THOUGH THEY WON'T PARTICIPATE IN THE CLASSES?♫
Absolutely, non-participating partners are very welcome and the price per non-participating partner is $300 which can be added to the retreat fee when you register. Partners may also sit in on a workshop session or two as long as there is adequate space in the room.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND COVID POLICY? ♫
You can receive a full refund minus any transaction fees within the first 30 days of booking.
Music World Retreats reserves the right to re-schedule or cancel any event if there should be an "Act of God" or occurence outside our control that makes the scheduled retreat impossible to hold such as a pandemic, natural disaster, earthquake, or any civil unrest that would put our participants "at risk." In these situations (which we hope never occurs), we will reschedule or refund participant payments minus any transactional fees and expenses related to the event that we cannot get reimbursed. If we reschedule, and you cannot make the new date, we will credit your account for the amount paid for up to 1 year, and you can use that credit towards any other retreat that is held during that year.
Please consider getting travel insurance to cover unexpected occurences that may cause a cancellation after the refund period.
Q. WHAT ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?♫
Accommodations are not included in the price of your retreat ticket. Upon registration you will receive a Fact Sheet with links to nearby hotels/inns. These include the Shorelight Inn, and Inn at Benicia Bay(all in the center of the small downtown area of Benicia and a five minute walk from each other) and the Heritage Inn or Holiday Inn Express which is about a mile away. Call or go online to make your reservations for accommodations as soon as possible – there is limited availability at each location. It is your responsibility to make and attend to your lodging reservation. If you speak to the caretaker/front desk person, they will let you know if there is a discount because you are attending the retreat. You can also check out AirBnB.
Q. WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RETREAT? ♫
Please contact us.
Q. CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE THOSE WITH DIETARY ISSUES? ♫
We are happy to cater for people with diet issues. Vegetarian, vegans and basic diet requirements are included in the price – just contact us.
Q. ARE THE RETREAT VENUES SUITABLE FOR THOSE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES?♫
We are not able to accommodate anyone with severe mobility problems. Please contact us to discuss your particular needs
Q. HOW DO I GET THERE? ♫
You can travel to Benicia either by air or road.
By air: Benicia is usually 45minutes from Oakland International Airport and an hour from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Public transportation to Benicia from the airports include: BART (to Pleasant Hill) – www.bart.gov. From BART taxi or Rideshare to Benicia.
Stay in Touch:
Check your inbox. You will receive a one-click confirmation from our email provider. Respond if you’d like to receive our newsletter and get information about future retreats.
If you have any trouble with this form, just email Donna Wapner at: dwapnermusic [AT] gmail [DOT] com
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Hosts Peppino D’Agostino and Donna Wapner
MUSIC WORLD RETREATS are hosted by Peppino D’Agostino and Donna Wapner. Our goal is to partner with some of our favorite musicians and creative friends - and together develop intimate, supportive, learning experiences. We pick locations that will encourage and inspire one’s creativity. When participants walk away having learned something new, had fun, made new friends, and can’t wait to join us again - we know we have done our job well!!
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
