This year's Carmel Guitar Society Classical Guitar Retreat event at Asilomar Resort in Pacific Grove, CA promises an unforgettable experience on the Monterey Bay. Play guitar, learn something new, retreat and vacation in one of the most beautiful places in the world while feeling supported in your journey as a guitarist. Retreat attendees make the event what it is, come be a part of this community-centric event in June and kick off your Summer Season refreshed and fulfilled. Welcome to a classical guitar retreat event like no other.
CGS_Asilomar_Retreat_Schedule_2026.pdf
DISCOUNTS | Contact Anthony DeMers via carmelguitar@gmail.com to claim these offers
Carmel Guitar Society is currently offering student and members discount codes to encourage classical guitar retreat participation from regional guitar communities and ensembles. The following groups are able to take advantage of this offer by contacting Anthony DeMers via carmelguitar@gmail.com
• Cabrillo Community College Guitar Ensemble
• UCSC Guitar Ensemble
• South Bay Guitar Society
PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW
The Carmel Guitar Society Classical Guitar Retreat Event at Asilomar is designed as an immersive multi-day classical guitar experience combining concerts, master classes, lectures, ensemble playing, technique sessions, and community-building opportunities in the unique setting of Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove.
Participants will work closely with guest artists Hao Yang and Alan Mearns through daily master classes, warm-up sessions, lectures, performances, and informal interaction throughout the retreat. The schedule is designed to balance focused musical study with opportunities for collaboration, conversation, relaxation, and community connection.
One of the special aspects of the retreat will be the shared community experience throughout the day. Group breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will provide opportunities for participants, artists, and staff to spend meaningful time together outside of the formal classes and performances. Evening concerts will also take place onsite in the same beautiful space used each day for lectures, ensemble sessions, master classes, and workshops, helping create an intimate and immersive musical environment throughout the retreat.
In addition to formal classes and performances, the retreat will include ensemble rehearsals, participant performances, evening concerts, and social gatherings including the opening night bonfire.
LECTURES / EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
In addition to master classes and performances, the retreat will feature a variety of educational lectures and discussions designed to explore different aspects of guitar playing, musicianship, teaching, ensemble collaboration, performance preparation, and artistic development.
Hao Yang’s lecture will focus on efficient and focused practice strategies designed to help guitarists improve more quickly and musically. Topics will include fingerboard familiarity, recognizing musical patterns, common fingerings and chord shapes, tone production, legato playing, strength building before speed development, metronome practice, sight-reading, memorization, and approaches to practicing away from the instrument through singing and movement. The lecture is intended to provide clear and practical ideas that participants can immediately apply to their own practice routines.
Alan Mearns’ featured lecture, “The Enchanted Guitar,” will explore the expressive and imaginative possibilities of the classical guitar through discussion, performance, interpretation, sound color, and musical storytelling. Drawing from his extensive international performing career and artistic perspective, the lecture will focus on the unique ability of the guitar to create atmosphere, character, and emotional connection through music.
Additional lecture titles and program details are currently being finalized with the artists and participating faculty.
ENSEMBLE PROGRAM
A major component of the retreat will be the collaborative ensemble and group playing experience led by Anthony DeMers, president of the Carmel Guitar Society, alongside Josh Friedman, president of the South Bay Guitar Society and director of the community guitar ensemble.
Participants will rehearse and perform ensemble music throughout the retreat in a supportive and community-oriented environment designed to strengthen musicianship, listening skills, rhythm, tone production, and musical communication within a group setting.
The ensemble program is intended to be accessible and rewarding for a wide range of playing levels while still offering meaningful musical challenges and artistic growth opportunities. The retreat will conclude with an informal ensemble performance on Saturday morning featuring participating attendees.
RETREAT EXPERIENCE
One of the defining goals of the Carmel Guitar Society Retreat is to create an environment where participants have meaningful access to artists, faculty, and one another throughout the entire week. Rather than functioning only as a concert series or competition-style festival, the retreat is designed to encourage genuine musical exchange, collaboration, conversation, and community building.
The setting at Asilomar Conference Grounds plays an important role in that experience. With concerts, lectures, meals, ensemble sessions, and classes all taking place within the same beautiful coastal environment, participants will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in several days of music, learning, and artistic connection on the Monterey Peninsula.
The Carmel Guitar Society continues building the annual retreat into a repeat gathering that helps strengthen connections between students, performers, teachers, ensembles, and guitar communities throughout California and beyond.
