At the Yosemite Songwriting Retreat, we chose instructors that are not only great musicians but also gifted educators. These individuals bring diverse practical skills and perspectives to their stimulating curricula. Previous instructors include Joe Craven, Melody Walker, MorganEve Swain, Cosy Sheriden, Laura Love, Sam Chase, Eliza Gilkyson, Laurie Lewis, Peter Rowan, and Terri Roche.

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Sadie Gustafson-Zook

BIO: “She uses her voice with the precision of an instrument, leaping between registers and outlining jazz chords, all with grace and ease…” – No Depression

With a pure and agile voice reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Sadie Gustafson-Zook’s hummable melodies balance with witty lyrics and intricate guitar playing to create charmingly honest and relatable music. A skilled performer, Sadie’s writing tackles internal and taboo subjects while holding the audience with warmth and levity. Sadie’s songs have been endorsed by some of the most respected songwriting contests in the country, winning the Acorn Theatre’s 2024 Singer Songwriter Competition, Kerrville Folk Festival’s 2022 New Folk Contest (as well as placing as a finalist in 2020), earning second place at the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest’s Songwriter Showcase, and winning first place at the 2022 NewSong + LEAF Songwriting Contest. On Sadie’s most recent album “Where I Wanna Be” (2024), Sadie takes the listener along on an intimate analog-recorded journey as she decides where to call home.

CLASSES

Crafting an Honest Song: In this workshop we will create narrative songs based off of our own life experiences. During the workshop Sadie will guide us through a process  that uses free-writing exercises to hone in on a pivotal moment in our life, and organize our feelings, thoughts, and observations around that memory into the shape of a song. 

100 Things to do when you’re in a (song)writing rut: I have a long list of things to try, so pick your favorite and let’s go!

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Matt The Electrician

BIO: Matt the Electrician is Matthew Sever, a quirky, sincere folk/pop singer songwriter based in Austin, TX.  He has self-released 11 studio albums, and 2 live CDs since 1998.  Matt moved to Austin, TX from the West Coast in 1996 to pursue music full time.  He regularly tours all over the world, specifically The US, Canada, Western Europe and Japan.  His songs have been featured on Network TV shows, in feature length movies, and in TV commercials.  He regularly plays festivals, theaters, nightclubs, and house concerts, and will continue to do so until he cannot.
www.matttheelectrician.com

CLASSES

Sideways Songwriting: Using your “Peripheral” Vision

Calisthenics – Approaching Music and Movement

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Gail Dreifus

Creative Songwriting Magic: Using Tarot as a Writing Tool

Are you stuck or looking for new songwriting ideas? The Tarot is an unbound narrative, and the cards lend themselves to story crafting. In this class, you will select THREE Tarot cards, (beginning, middle and end) and this will guide your storytelling and open your creative self. No tarot experience is required. Consider this a more magical way to tap into your songwriting. So go ahead and select THREE cards and see what happens! Bring paper, your instrument, and an open mind.

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Barbee Corff

Class title and description to follow

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Dan Gross

Class title and description to follow

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