Ukulele Hideaway in Croatia
w
ith James Hill and Friends
August 17 - 21, 2026 • Jelsa, Island of Hvar, Croatia
Early-bird pricing ends February 1, 2026
join James and friends
Join master teacher James Hill for four days and four nights of ukulele bliss at the Ukulele Hideaway in Croatia!
Jelsa is a small, picturesque town on the beautiful island of Hvar. Imagine meandering through the narrow streets, swimming in the calm waters, hearing the sound of the sea as you sleep, eating fresh local food and wine, and getting to play your ukulele for hours. This the perfect place to allow your imagination to soar and your musicianship to expand.
It's a rare opportunity to study with James Hill, one of the world's most sought-after ukulele performers and teachers, in an immersive, intimate, multi-day international setting. Registration is limited to 25 students to ensure the highest-quality learning experience.
The Ukulele Hideaway is built around James' participatory and engaging teaching style. For four days, you will be part of an ukulele orchestra! You'll strum, pick, sing specially-crafted arrangements that allow each attendee to play a part at their level. Plus, you'll dive into favorite topics like solo ukulele (the art of playing all the parts at the same time), chord twins, jazz ukulele and creative arranging.
All levels of experience are welcome. In addition to your classes with James there will be time for jamming with other students, performing in the nightly Uke Parlour and practicing new arrangements.
The Ukulele Hideaway in Croatia brings those who love ukulele together to play music, meet new friends, enjoy good food and drink, and just have a GREAT TIME!
Don’t miss out. Claim your spot soon. This retreat doubles as a unique island vacation making it ideal for friends and family. The natural beauty and music and cultural heritage enchants all who visit!
Join the Interest List
meet YOUR INSTRUCTOR
James Hill
“Only a select few have reached the bar our
past masters set… one of those is James Hill.”
- Jim Beloff
James Hill is a Canadian ukulele player, songwriter, and educator whose work consistently expands the boundaries of his instrument. His latest album, Uke Heads, a global fan collaboration featuring over 160 players, earned a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for “Pushing Boundaries” and showcases Hill’s talent for turning community into art.
Raised in the Canadian school ukulele program created by pioneering educator J. Chalmers Doane, Hill grew from a standout student into a leading voice on the instrument. He has toured internationally, released acclaimed albums, and co-authored the influential Ukulele in the Classroom series. Through Uketropolis and the JHUI Teacher Certification Program, he continues to inspire players worldwide.
Hill’s philosophy is simple: music is a gift. Pass it on.
Guest musicians and instructors
Anne janelle
Anne Janelle is a classically trained Canadian musician who has focused on the cello. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia studying classical music and the cello. Janelle has also earned a master's degree in cello performance from the University of Ottawa.
Janelle has performed with pop artists such as Kanye West, Bruce Cockburn, and Holly Cole. She has also flourished in contemporary music, experimenting deeply with free improvisation in both music and dance. Her cello is often heard backing up other artists, as on the William Hawkins tribute album Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins.
Since 2006 Janelle has been collaborating and touring with James Hill. She plays a wide variety of songs, everything from folk, jazz, bluegrass and avant-garde. She pushes the boundaries of cello music by combining it with her voice and the music of James Hill.
PEPPINO D’AGOSTINO
Peppino D'Agostino, a native of Italy, has been hailed as “a guitarist's guitarist” and recognized as “One of the 50 Transcendent Acoustic Guitarists” by Guitar Player Magazine. Even his Peppino D'Agostino Seagull Signature Guitar model has won accolades as one of the 10 best signature guitars.
He has performed in more than 35 countries, made 18 audio recordings, been featured at prestigious international music festivals, and played with prominent artists from around the world - including Larry Carlton, Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor, Roland Dyens, David Tanenbaum, and many more.
Peppino gives guitar workshops, master classes, and seminars worldwide. Top leading publishers and online music instruction leaders such as Truefire, Guitar by Masters, Hal Leonard, Alfred Publishing, and Acoustic Guitar Magazine Books have all published his compositions and instructional methods. He will be helping the beginner uke players and sharing his love of music throughout this retreat.
vocal coach and violinist, Annabelle Marie
Annabelle Marie is a composer, arranger, vocalist and musician. She studied with the late Judy Davis, legendary vocal coach whose students included Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Mary Martin, Grace Slick, and Eddie Money. Annabelle focuses on unlocking the voice and techniques to repair strained pipes. Ms Marie teaches people how to breathe properly, enunciate, and strengthen their vocal cords in order to project freely. She has devised many vocal exercises so that singers find their authentic voice, control their sound, and sing with confidence.
She's toured as a vocalist and violinist with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks in Europe, Japan, and the Americas, and is the executive director and founder of a world renowned multi-cultural children's choir, VOENA, that has been training young performers for 25 years. The choir has been repeated guests of the White House, sang at the Vatican in Rome, wowed members of the World Expo in Japan, was invited to perform opening day of the 2012 London Olympics, and most recently sang at the Interfaith Alliance Conference in Abu Dhabi. She regularly teaches vocal workshops and has been inspiring people of all ages for years which led her to present at a TEDx event in Napa Valley and to be a recipient of the Jefferson Award for extraordinary public service. She embodies the joy that comes from singing and using one’s voice for good.
pricing and plans
RETREAT PARTICIPANT
$3225*
ALL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
ALL WORKSHOPS (18+ hrs instruction)
4 Nights Lodging in a Private Room with Bath
All Meals
Evening jam sessions & instructor performances
Optional Lunch & Swim on an Island Boat
Student and Faculty Community Performance
PARTNER ADD-ON
$975
PERFECT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Free time to Explore Hvar
4 Nights Lodging (shared room)
All Meals
Evening jam sessions & instructor performances
Optional Lunch & Swim on an Island Boat
Student and Faculty Community Performance
*early-bird price ($USD) ends February 1st and includes all taxes. You can pay 50% of the fee upon registration with the remaining balance due 30 days later. Contact us if you need a 3-payment plan.
What Do You Get?
All Workshops ♫
Over 18 hours of music workshops with James Hill and Friends.
Delicious Traditional Meals ♫
Join James and all your ukulele buddies for tasty Croatian food. You will be eating outdoors in lovely environs around Jelsa and tasting specialties such as Peka, grilled fresh fish, and local wines.
Evening Jam Sessions/Uke Parlour ♫
Bring your instruments to these post dinner music-making sessions where we just let it all hang out.
Faculty Performances ♫
Close-up and intimate performances with James, Anne, Peppino, and Annabelle just for our participants.
Performance Opportunity ♫
We will look for a relaxed space where students and faculty together can share with the public some of the arrangements and music practiced during the retreat. This could be a fun way to find yourself "on stage" with James and Friends.
What Will You Learn?
Solo ukulele arrangements
Guidance on developing solo ukulele technique
Ensemble ukulele arrangements
The thrill of playing in an ukulele orchestra!
Swing and Jazz improvisation
Practical music theory
How to improve your tone
How to improve your rhythm and groove
How to be more expressive in your playing
Valuable tips and techniques for creating your own solo arrangements
Valuable tips and techniques for creating your own ensemble arrangements
How to strengthen your singing voice
And more!
THE LOCATION
Jelsa, Island of Hvar, Croatia
Jelsa is located on the north coast of the island of Hvar and is known for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. It is situated in a protected bay with walking and bicycle paths leading all around the coastline. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and pine forests, you can find many a place to wander, swim, play your ukulele or just let your creativity soar. Traditional music and Klapa (which translates as a “group of friends”) singing is still celebrated in this lovely town and we will make sure that you get to experience this part of Croatia’s cultural heritage too.
Beautiful Blue Waters
Breathtaking Scenery
local specialties
THE DAILY SCHEDULE*
Monday, August 17th
Monday, August 17
3:30 – 4:30 pm Students Arrive
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Welcome, Introductions and Opening Session
7:00 pm Welcome Reception and Dinner
Post Dinner Evening Jam Session
Tuesday, August 18th
Tuesday, August 18
8:00 am - 9:30 am Breakfast
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop I
11:00 – 12:30 pm Workshop II
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
4:00 pm – 5:00 Workshop III
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Workshop IV
7:00 pm Dinner
Post Dinner Jam and Open Mic
Wednesday, August 19th
Wednesday, August 19
8:00 am - 9:30 am Breakfast
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop V
11:00 – 12:30 Workshop VI
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
4:00 pm – 5:00 Workshop VII
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Workshop VIII
7:00 pm Dinner
Post Dinner Faculty Concert and Open Mic
Thursday, August 20th
Thursday, August 20
8:00 am - 9:30 am Breakfast
9:30 am – 10:30 am Workshop I
11:00 – 12:30 pm Workshop II
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
4:00 pm – 5:00 Workshop III
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Workshop IV
7:00 pm Dinner
Post Dinner Final Student Performance
Friday, August 21st
Friday, August 21
8:00 am - 9:30 am Breakfast
Departure
*Schedule may be modified.
What Participants tell us…
Studying with James Hill has been life changing for many students.
Here’s what a few had to say about their experience…
"James is a master teacher and kept me engaged the whole time."
- Caroline K.
"I was somewhat intimidated in advance but I found the sessions empowering and enjoyable. Although I have lots of practicing to do, I know I can succeed!"
- Collen N.
"James' skills as a player of the ukulele are a marvel, to be sure, and his teaching talents are well-honed. But he also has a particularly gifted way of inspiring students to focus and do their best."
- Blair L.
"James walks his talk. A great teacher who does a fine job of including all interests and skill levels."
- Anrahyah A.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE RETREAT TAKE PLACE? ♫
The retreat takes place in Jelsa on the island of Hvar in Croatia from Monday, August 17 until Friday, August 21, 2026. Registration includes your accommodation at Hotel Hvar which overlooks the water and is a short walk to the heart of the town. All meals, instruction, and other planned activities are included in the registration fee. The classes will be held nearby at a local music/dance school. Lunches and dinner will be at local restaurants. There will be a breakfast buffet each morning at the hotel for all workshop participants and their partners.
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 $975 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 POLICY? ♫
You can receive a full refund minus any transaction fees within the first 30 days of booking. If a resurgence of COVID-19 occurs, we will follow all public health COVID-related rules, and modify accordingly. 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 you to cancel after the refund period.
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 try and accomodate your dietary needs. 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 Croatia by air from all over the U.S. and Europe. Split (SPU) is the closest international airport. To get to the island of Hvar and the town of Jelsa you will need to take a ferry. Ferries from Split or Dubrovnik run regularly. Once you register you will receive more detailed information about transport options to Jelsa. Check out Skyscanner or EDreams for flight times and costs. If you want to explore Croatia more fully, another option is to arrive in Split (SPU) and fly out of Dubrovnik (DBUV) or vice versa. And if you are visiting other parts of Europe too, you may find lower cost flights to Split or Dubrovnik by flying from another major city within Europe.
Early-bird pricing ends February 1, 2026
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
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
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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!!
