Thursday, March 26 - Sunday, March 29
Location: Manor Mill and Oldfields School

Welcome to the inaugural retreat in two amazing historic locations in rural Baltimore County, all dedicated to the art of songwriting. This retreat is designed to be a low-key, but intensive weekend to give you confidence in your writing, build skills, and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who love music. Whether you're just starting your songwriting journey or looking to refine your existing skills, these tracks offer tailored learning experiences, culminating in a super fun musical show.

60 spots available.

Cost: $950 before Dec 1. $1050 after Dec. 1.
Includes 3 nights lodging, meals, Songwriter’s Round concert, open mics, 1:1 coaching and all sessions

Instructors

Cris Jacobs
Jordan Sokel of the Pressing Strings
Caleb Stine
Talbot Mayo
Latitia VanSant
Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish of The Honey Dewdrops

Class size will be 10-15 participants max. All classes will be held at Oldfields.

Tentative Schedule

Thursday, March 26

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM // Check-in and Orientation
4:00 PM // Opening Reception and Happy Hour (Manor Mill)
5:00-7:00 PM // Dinner/ Cookout, Manor Mill
7:30 PM // Instructor Concert and Cris Welcome (Manor Mill or Oldfields)

Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28

7:30 AM // Movement/Meditation/Yoga/Hiking (Optional)
8:30-9:45 AM // Breakfast
10:00-10:50 AM // Songwriting Session (3 options in unique locations)
11:00-11:50 PM // Songwriting Session (3 options in unique locations)
12:00-1:00 PM // Individual Writing Time
1:00-2:00 PM // Lunch
2:00-2:50 PM // Songwriting Session (3 options in unique locations)
3:00-3:50 PM // Songwriting Session (3 options in unique locations)
4:00-6:00 PM // Choose from: Private Writing Time (individual or small group) or 1-on-1 Instructor Mentor Sessions (sign up at breakfast)
6:00 PM // transport to Manor Mill
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM // Dinner, Open Mic and Jam

Sunday

8:00 AM // Movement/Meditation/Yoga/Hiking (Optional)
9:00 AM Breakfast
10:00- 11:00 AM // Group Wrap up
11:00 AM // Pack up, Check out

Notes:

• Flexibility: While tracks are recommended, participants can float between sessions if a topic particularly interests them, space permitting.

• Materials: All necessary workshop materials, including handouts and songwriting prompts, will be provided.

• Instruments: Participants should bring their own acoustic instruments if they plan to perform or find it helpful for their songwriting process. A basic PA system with microphones will be provided for the showcase.

• This is not a party weekend. Drinking and recreational drugs are prohibited on the Oldfields Campus. While we expect the weekend to be an incredible experience, if you are coming to stay up late and hang out with coolers of beer, this is not for you. We will also have informal gatherings and low-key parties at Manor Mill to unwind.

Instructors

Letitia VanSant

…her gentle singsong may strike you as sweet, but listen a little closer, and you’ll realize she is spitting fire.”

-Paste Magazine

Why is the world the way it is? Letitia VanSant's lyrics trace this question into the human soul. 

With a distinctly intimate vocal style, VanSant's stage presence is down-to-earth and immediate, and is fortified by arrangements ranging from sparse indie folk to soaring rock anthems.

Paste Magazine named her among 10 Artists to Watch, and BBC Radio says she is “a force to be reckoned with.” Her songwriting has earned several awards, including the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition, and she has been on tour across the Atlantic--but she is most proud of her role as a staple of the Baltimore Americana scene.
Letitia is one half of Golden Aster, a vocal harmony-focused duo with Laura Wortman of the Honey Dewdrops, and lead vocalist for classic country band Rusty Sal. Her most recent album is Eye of the Storm, an acoustic collaboration with Celtic/ Americana guitarist & vocalist David McKindley-Ward.

Caleb Stine

Caleb Stine is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist. Though he makes his living as a folk musician, Stine wouldn’t call what he does a job; he considers it a calling. His work is part-mystic poet, part-traveling preacher. As Americana UK observed, “Stine’s upfront personality [is] seeking to make a personal connection with everyone in the venue.” Stine, who plays 100+ shows a year, has released 14 albums of original music, and shares a series of Instagram videos called “Caleb Stine Says Keep Going,” encouraging followers to dig deep into a creative practice of their own.  He's a festival favorite, has opened shows for Jason Isbell and Sierra Hull, and keeps a grass-roots presence by frequenting small venues up and down the East Coast.

Talbot Mayo

Talbot Mayo’s musical journey began on her family’s historic farm in rural Maryland, where nights were filled with family and friends playing bluegrass, gospel, and traditional folk music. At just 4 years old she joined her family band on washboard and jug and by the age of 10, she was playing the fiddle on stage. By 14 she was teaching herself guitar while also playing shows around the region; it was during this time that Talbot began writing and performing her original songs. These early experiences laid the foundation for her distinctive songwriting style, which blends the old-time bluegrass of her roots with honky-tonk twang and a gritty alt-rock edge.

Talbot’s debut solo EP, Big Shot, is a testament to her growth as a songwriter and performer. Produced by the Grammy-winning Matt Rollings (Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss), this project features an all-star lineup of Nashville musicians including Jenee Fleenor and songwriting legend BuddyMiller. With a mix of witty storytelling and heartfelt introspection, Big Shot explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the nuances of small-town life, all delivered with Talbot’s powerful, evocative vocals. The EP was Talbot’s first introduction to national and international radio charts, with an unprecedented debut for an independent release – reaching and maintaining at#75 on the Americana Association Chart, #14 on the Roots Music Report “Top 50 Americana Country Albums” chart, #16 on the Roots Music Report “Top 50 Country Albums” chart, #45 on the Folk Alliance International Chart, and #4 on the Roots Music Report “Top 50 Maryland Albums” chart.

Talbot has collaborated with many regional and national songwriters, including Susie West (Talbot and Susie co-founded the all-originals Monkton Road Band) and Matt Rollings (Talbot wrote several songs with Matt for his ArtistWorks master class on Country Music Piano). She currently performs her original songs as a solo artist and while leading her group, The Talbot Mayo Band, and still performs regularly with the family band of her youth. The ability to blend tradition with innovation has earned her a reputation as a rising force in the Americana scene, but for Talbot there’s one guiding principle that will continue to lead the way; it’s always been about the music.

Laura Wortman & Kagey Parish of The Honey Dewdrops

Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish of The Honey Dewdrops began touring in 2009 and have highlighted the power and intimacy of two voices and two instruments in both live performances and recordings in their two-decades' long partnership. Laura and Kagey constantly push the boundaries of their experimental folk sound—blending electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin and clawhammer banjo—while weaving in tight vocal harmonies. They remain committed to deepening their understanding of the world through songwriting and music.

Kagey Parrish has loved music for as long as he can remember, and his first musical memory is of being enraptured by the Beach Boys' harmonies when he was four. As a vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, he has spent the last 17 years focused on live performance and music production. He is a founding member of the internationally touring duo the Honey Dewdrops, and he regularly performs with Baltimore, Maryland-based music projects including Across The Harbor, the Bottom Rung, and City Paper. In addition, he loves to help people make their own music by teaching lessons for guitar, mandolin, and songwriting.