The workshop will focus on performing, arranging, and composing for fingerstyle and classical guitar. Alex and guest instructor, Sean McGowan, will share their insights into the techniques and inspiration that have become an integral part of their unique styles.

Dynamics, articulation, phrasing, tone, polyrhythms, right/left hand technique, cross-string technique, extended techniques, and alternate tunings and more will be covered in a very hands-on approach.

This is an interactive workshop designed to improve your playing and ability to arrange music for guitar, whether you are an instrumentalist or a singer who plays guitar as accompaniment.

The four-part format will consist of:

1. a master class
2. lecture demo
3. one-on-one time
4. an optional ensemble rehearsal for those who wish to participate in a public performance

Evenings after dinner will be devoted to informal performances, jam sessions, and free time.

Guitarists of all backgrounds are welcome, but should be at least intermediate to advanced fingerstyle players. The workshop is limited to 20 participants. Each participant should be prepared to perform one piece in the master class and another piece informally with the group and/or during the one-on-one session with Sean or Alex. You should arrive prepared to play:

1. A composition or arrangement by a known composer or fingerstyle performer, or an original composition;
2. An original composition or an arrangement of a theme to be assigned by Alex at the time of registration.

The ability to read music is not absolutely required, but will be useful. Alex and Sean will hand out music and written exercises in standard notation and/or tablature, so some experience with one or the other will be a plus.