Let's play music together in the
Colorado Rockies!
Jump To:
"I've been to a lot of other fiddle camps,
and Katie Glassman and her staff far exceed any...
The process is so joyful and encouraging that you can't help
but leave the camp with a smile of satisfaction at the progress
you've made and the fun you had doing it. Just wonderful."
-Judd P.
• Learn from National Champion Fiddlers
• Improve and elevate your improvisation skills
• Make lasting friendships and play with fiddlers from all over the world
• Refine your fiddling skills and build your repertoire of tunes
• Relax and be inspired by nature
2024 Retreat Theme & Emphasis
Our retreat theme is always to jam and play music together!
Learn with a superstar staff.
Directed by fiddle champion
and Fiddle School founder Katie Glassman,
our 2024 instructors and staff are world-class!
Fiddle Instructors
Katie Glassman, Celeste Johnson, Julian Oliver,
Christine King
Guest Instructor & Camp Coordinator
Sarah Kenner
Guitar, Mandolin, and Jam Instigators
Adam Kulakow, Julian Oliver
Yoga Instructor: Baxter Bell
Retreat Cook: Brian Kenney
Christine King
Bluegrass
"I first met Christine King when we were both children. As we learned music from the same teacher, Chris Daring, we frequently crossed paths at jam sessions. I was always struck by her kind disposition, and from the very beginning, I was impressed by her fiddling skills.
Years later, in 2013, Christine backed me up at the Rockygrass fiddle contest. And, we won! I love Christine's backup, her demeanor brings me joy. Those were some great times together. "
Katie Glassman
Christine King is a highly skilled American fiddle player who brings both experience and enthusiasm to her craft. She has a profound love for fiddle music and began exploring Texas-style fiddling at a young age, refining her skills through performances and competitions across the Western US. Christine enjoyed many fulfilling years touring with the renowned bluegrass group The Railsplitters and currently performs regularly with her acoustic duo, Bonnis and the King.
As a fiddling educator, Christine believes in fostering a collaborative and social learning environment where students can flourish, regardless of level or experience.
Katie Glassman
Classic Country
"Katie's positive energy always shines through making every class so much fun. She makes it possible for each of us to grow at the exact pace that works for us as individual musicians." - Lisa H.
"Simply the best. Katie can teach anyone at any level of fiddle playing. At every class I have ever taken from Katie I have always learned something valuable. An exceptional player, teacher and person. Her inner light reaches out to everyone and is lovely to be around." - Barbara M.
"Katie did a great job teaching in an accessible way and breaking things down in digestible pieces." - Ingrid G.
Celeste Johnson
Swing
"I love Celeste's calmness and ability to identify fine points to help improve my playing. She continues to encourage me to dig in and bring out the sound. When I do that I do sound better." - Linnea K.
"I love being in Celeste's class, she has an amazing way of seeing exactly what I need to work on but being encouraging at the same time. I feel like I always come away from her classes with a great focus of what to work on and how to work on it. " - Krista F.
"She is always so patient, kind, caring and thorough." - Pat G.
Julian Oliver
Western Swing
"Julian read the class rapidly and adjusted to the different skill levels quickly. He is effective and gave me plenty to work on. I really needed his help and got what I needed." - Mike M.
"Julian is such a resource. I appreciate his ability to support at every level, with any tune, and the way he adjusts his coaching to varying levels. I like how he asks clarifying questions that help participants to consider and work things out while maintaining ownership." - Liz C.
"[Julian] is always so kind and patient." - Kate K.
Adam Kulakow
Irish Tunes & Jamming Foundations
"Adam lends a deeply inspiring spirit and collaborative vibe to everything he touches at the Mountain Retreat and Fiddle School in general, that just can’t be beat... Adam is the most humble, inquisitive, and supportive musician I know. [Adam makes] everything fun and spontaneous and deeply inclusive." - Laura B.
"I took a mandolin backup class from Adam. He helped us all understand the fingering and strumming involved in the chord changes. He gets us all to do what he's suggesting so quickly that you immediately feel competent. It's a joy. " - Judd P.
"Adam's enthusiasm for the material is infectious and he makes it very accessible." - Ingrid G.
Join the Waitlist!
Your Admission Includes...
Lodging at the delightful Sunshine Mountain Inn which features hiking paths, a fire pit, and WiFi.
Delicious meals prepared by our cook onsite.
Classes, jams, and camp activities, with the ability to choose your own adventure daily!
A free Fiddle School T-shirt.
A free portrait of you and your fiddle taken by a professional photographer!
Access to discounted products at our accessory and instrument store (strings, picks, rosin, polish, mutes, and more)
A Mountain Retreat Circle channel to mingle with your fellow campers, and to arrange carpools to and from Denver airport.
A Retreat Prep Packet, including a learning library of videos and chords to your fellow campers' jam tunes
Learning materials in advance, including learning materials for the Camp Song (TBA!)
NEW!!! A Mountain Retreat Zoom Orientation in May 2024 - Learn what's new, how to prepare, and how to get the most out of the retreat.
With The Option To Add...
An extra day (August 21) if you'd like to:
- Settle in early
- Take a hike in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains or relax in nature
- Play music together
- NEW! Do your Mastery Certification performance at camp (limited spots available!)
Bring a partner with you* and enjoy the beautiful mountains with your other half. Partners are welcome to take advantage of jams and electives.
*Limited partner spots are available. To bring a partner, you must either reserve a queen bed or bring an RV.
For health and safety reasons, partners must stay onsite for the entire duration of camp.
...But don't just take it from us!
Here's why our campers come back every year.
"This fiddle family is ready to welcome all with open arms... You WILL get the nourishment needed to not only improve your fiddling, but most importantly, to do it with joy."
- Liz C.
"You will feel welcomed, seen and appreciated for where you are on your fiddle journey and nurtured to expand your playing in creative and supportive ways."
-Baxter B.
"This is a very supportive and instructional experience for all levels of fiddle expertise!"
- Barbara M.
Retreat Schedule
✯ NEW IN 2024: More afternoon free time to jam, rest, and reflect! ✯
Wednesday, August 21
(Optional Recreational Day)
4:00 PM Get settled, and relax!
Jam or enjoy a local hike
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Jams
Thursday, August 22
(1/2 Recreational Day + Arrival)
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM - 12:30 Mastery Performances
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 PM ***OFFICIAL Check-In***
3:00 PM Orientation
4:00 PM Masterclasses
5:30 Band Scramble
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Band Scramble Performance + FS Songs Jam Session
Friday-Sunday, August 23-25
9:30 AM Breakfast
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Classes & Electives
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM 4:30 PM Jam Sessions
4:30 - 6:00 PM Free Time - Jam, Rest, or Reflect, Yoga
6:30 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Coffeehouse + Jams
Monday, August 26
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Pack-up and Farewells
2024 Retreat Cost + Add-Ons
Lodging and Meals Onsite (Four Days) - $1,125-1,475
Lodging in Your Own RV Onsite with Meals Onsite (Four Days) - $1,075-1,085
Arrange Your Own Lodging Offsite, Includes Meals Onsite (Four Days) - $1,025
Add-Ons:
Extra Recreational Day (August 21) - $165 per person
Partner Fee (includes lodging, meals, and activities for four days) - $500
Health & Safety
COVID-19
We will ask every camper to take a rapid COVID-19 before your travels to camp, and we may request that you test upon arrival. We may also test throughout the weekend as needed.
If you are sick or are experiencing COVID-like symptoms before camp, please stay home. If you test positive, your camp registration will roll over to the next year minus the non-refundable and non-transferable $300 deposit.
If you become sick or develop COVID-like symptoms during camp, we will have tests available and may request that you take one. We will have masks available, and may ask that you wear one indoors for the health and safety of your fellow fiddlers.
Cancellation Policy
There are no camp refunds.
If you cancel by JUNE 1,
you may transfer your full camp payment (minus a non-refundable $300 deposit)
toward any online or in-person Fiddle School camp within one year.
If you cancel by JULY 1,
you may transfer 50% of your camp payment (minus a non-refundable $300 deposit)
toward any online or in-person Fiddle School camp within one year.