Oct 26 - Nov 1, 2025
California
National Road Scholar Recorder/Early Music Workshop
Program No. 6254RJ
Heighten your recorder, viola da gamba or reeds talents in large and small ensembles with world-class instructors — and end your week with a concert in bucolic Carmel Valley!
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800-454-5768
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DATES & PRICES
Nov 2 - Nov 8, 2025
DATES & PRICES
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Oct 26 - Nov 1, 2025Nov 2 - Nov 8, 2025
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This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
7 days
6 nights
16 meals
6B 5L 5D
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Carmel Valley, CA
2
Early Music Classes with Expert Faculty
Carmel Valley, CA
3
Early Music Classes with Expert Faculty
Carmel Valley, CA
4
Early Music Classes, Free Time
Carmel Valley, CA
5
Early Music Classes, Faculty Concert
Carmel Valley, CA
6
Road Scholar Concert, Open Mic Night
Carmel Valley, CA
7
Program Concludes
Carmel Valley, CA
At a Glance
Revel in the lyrical sounds of the recorder, viola da gamba and harpsichord as you share your musical gifts during a week-long intensive early music workshop. Enhance your skills in small classes taught by expert instructors with emphasis on improving technique and playing with ensembles. At Hidden Valley Music Seminars, An Institute of the Arts, nestled amongst oak and buckeye trees below majestic hillsides, enjoy a serene and inspiring place for playing music.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Minimal walking on flat terrain.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Improve your musical talents with instruction from seasoned professional performers.
- Rehearse for ensemble performances with your fellow musicians.
- Delight in musical arrangements that include compositions from the medieval through baroque periods.
General Notes
This program is for intermediate to advanced recorder and viola da gamba players. Recorder players must be able to play at least two sizes (at least one F instrument and one C instrument). The November 2, 2025 programs include dulcian and shawm. The dulcian and shawm programs are open by audition. Please contact the workshop director at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net to arrange an online audition. Specific class offerings differ by date and will be posted 6 weeks before the program begins. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, locally sourced meals, and a live performance or event.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Letitia Berlin
Letitia Berlin plays recorder with Calextone, the Bertamo Trio, and Farallon Recorder Quartet. She has performed as a soloist with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. Tish received her master’s of art in early music performance practices with a concentration in recorder. As co-director of Tibia Adventures in Music, she organizes workshops across the U.S and Europe. She co-directs Hidden Valley’s Early Music Road Scholar program. She will soon be the co-executive directors of the Amherst Early Music Festival.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Letitia Berlin
View biography
Letitia Berlin plays recorder with Calextone, the Bertamo Trio, and Farallon Recorder Quartet. She has performed as a soloist with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. Tish received her master’s of art in early music performance practices with a concentration in recorder. As co-director of Tibia Adventures in Music, she organizes workshops across the U.S and Europe. She co-directs Hidden Valley’s Early Music Road Scholar program. She will soon be the co-executive directors of the Amherst Early Music Festival.
Frances Blaker
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Frances Blaker performs on recorders of all types and sizes as a soloist and with Ensemble Vermillian, Farallon Recorder Quartet, Calextone, Sitka Trio and Tibia Recorder Duo. As a member of Ensemble Vermillian she performs and records chamber music of the 17th and 18th centuries. She has performed throughout the U. S., Denmark, England, France, Italy and the Netherlands. She is conductor and music director of the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, and of BABO (Bay Area Baroque Orchestra), a community orchestra for accomplished amateur players.
Lawrence Lipnik
View biography
Lawrence Lipnik has performed with many acclaimed early music ensembles from ARTEK and Anonymous 4 to Piffaro and the Waverly Consort, and is a founding member of the viol consort Parthenia and vocal ensemble Lionheart. In addition to performing, he enjoys a busy teaching schedule which has included national and international festivals including the Benslow Music Trust in the UK, Port Townsend, San Diego Early Music Festival and Pinewoods. He is a contributor to The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Contemporary Dramatists.
Shira Kammen
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Shira Kammen is a multi-instrumentalist and occasional vocalist who has spent well over half her life exploring the worlds of early and traditional music, and studied medieval music and Vielle with Margriet Tindemans. She was a member of the early music ensembles Alcatraz and Project Ars Nova and is the founder of Class V Music, an ensemble dedicated to providing music on river rafting trips. She has performed and taught in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Israel, Abu Dhabi and Japan.
Deanna Ross
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Deanna Ross is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Born in California, she began her studies at age seven at the Redwood Empire Ballet in Santa Rosa, then spent 12 years at the San Francisco, Pennsylvania, and Milwaukee Ballet Schools, the HARID Conservatory, and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Deanna lives in Monterey, Ca., where she has choreographed numerous works, and has served as Bay Area guest artist. She also teaches ballet, modern dance, dance improvisation, E-STRETCH, slow breathing and stretching.
David Morris
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David Morris is a viola da gamba instructor. Dubbed a "continuo wizard" by Gramophone (UK), David Morris is a member of Quicksilver and the Galax Quartet and is a frequent guest performer with the New York State Early Music Association. He was the founder and musical director of the Bay Area baroque opera ensemble Teatro Bacchino, and has produced operas for the Berkeley Early Music Festival and the San Francisco Early Music Society series. He received his bachelor’s and master’s U.C. Berkeley.
Peter Meckel
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Peter Meckel is the founder and General Director of Hidden Valley Music Seminars. Born and raised in the Midwest, he attended university at Rockford University in Illinois, and Occidental College in California. His leadership of Hidden Valley has resulted in one of the most respected opera training centers in America and a major contributor of arts education programs for vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers. Students from throughout the world come to study with master teachers from many of America’s most prestigious orchestras and opera companies.
Wouter Verschuren
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Wouter Verschuren is a historical bassoonist, performing as soloist throughout Europe, U.S., and Asia. He is principal bassoonist of The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and regularly plays with renowned period orchestras including The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Nederlandse Bach Vereniging, and Les Talens Lyrique. Wouter is featured on countless orchestral and chamber music CDs. He holds teaching positions at The Royal Conservatory, The Hague, and The Royal College of Music, London, gives masterclasses around the world, and coaches for prominent early music festivals.
Tish Berlin
View biography
Letitia Berlin plays recorder with Calextone, the Bertamo Trio, and Farallon Recorder Quartet. She has performed as a soloist with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. Tish received her master’s of art in early music performance practices with a concentration in recorder. As co-director of Tibia Adventures in Music, she organizes workshops across the U.S and Europe. She co-directs Hidden Valley’s Early Music Road Scholar program. She will soon be the co-executive directors of the Amherst Early Music Festival.
Mary Springfels
View biography
Mary Springfels is a veteran of the American Early Music Movement with lifetime achievement awards from Early Music America and The Viola da Gamba Society of America. Mary has been an active participant in prominent ensembles, including the Waverly Concert, Concert Royal, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, The Folger Consort, and Ars Lyrica Houston. Mary directed the Newberry Consort in Chicago for 20 years, during which the group made several critically acclaimed recordings. Currently, she is co-director of Severall Friends, an ensemble in Santa Fe.
Year
- 2025
Date
- Oct 26 - Nov 01
- Nov 02 - Nov 08
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Nov 2 - Nov 8, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This date includes dulcian and shawm, open by audition only. Please contact the workshop director at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net to arrange an online audition.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
- 2025
- Oct 26 - Nov 01
- Nov 02 - Nov 08
Nov 2 - Nov 8, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This date includes dulcian and shawm, open by audition only. Please contact the workshop director at tishberlin@sbcglobal.net to arrange an online audition.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
16 meals (
6B, 5L, 5D
)
26 hands-on experiences
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hidden Valley Inn
Activity Note
Check-in available from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 2:00 p.m. When you arrive at Hidden Valley’s campus, come over to the main office next to the parking lot to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. At 5:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room, we’ll meet our fellow participants for a wine and cheese reception. We’ll enjoy some California wines and/or juices and savor cheese and crackers before dinner.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, locally sourced meals, and evening entertainment. Every day before breakfast, there will be a very popular class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the dance studio. Toast and juice will be available in the Dining Room before class. This is not an aerobics class and there is no need for special clothing or shoes and no need for a shower afterwards. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Public bus service will be available across from the campus driveway. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will end the evening with an orchestra introduction in the theatre where seats will be assigned and reviewed. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Early Music Classes with Expert Faculty
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hidden Valley Inn
Activity Note
Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Toast and juice will be available in the Dining Room before class. Sitting and playing your instrument during music classes.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Music class options are given in advance and are assigned based on preference and skill level. During each class period (A, B, C) there are several classes to choose from, divided by instrument, skill level, and/or subject matter. Your assigned classes remain the same throughout the program week. Expert faculty are Letitia Berlin (recorder), Frances Blaker (recorder and orchestra), Lawrence Lipnik (recorder), Mary Springfels (viola da gamba), and Wouter Verschuren (dulcian and shawm). Led by expert faculty, these small group classes will focus on areas of special interest and geared towards the application of technique — making music out of notes! Master classes and consort classes are also offered. A “consort” of instruments is an ensemble that may be all of the same instrument, e.g., a consort of recorders, or instruments from different families. Assigned Classes A and B. Please note: Our program was planned far in advance when class details and theme were not available. They will be posted when released by the workshop directors.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Assigned Class C and Orchestra. All participants will come together to learn in an orchestra setting. We will learn how to play as an ensemble and learn the repertoire we will perform at the end of the week.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Freelance Consorts. An opportunity to gather with fellow Road Scholar musicians to play the music you love. Time for creative music exploration, camaraderie, and sharpening our skills for the Friday night performance.
Day
3
Early Music Classes with Expert Faculty
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hidden Valley Inn
Activity Note
Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Toast and juice will be available in the Dining Room before class. Sitting and playing your instrument during music classes.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Assigned Classes A and B. We will continue to learn and polish our techniques.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Assigned Class C and Orchestra. We’ll continue learning and rehearsing the repertoire, developing as an ensemble.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Coached sight-reading and Freelance Consorts. Sign-up sheets for coached sight-reading with instructors will be posted in advance on the bulletin board outside the Dining Room.
Day
4
Early Music Classes, Free Time
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hidden Valley Inn
Activity Note
Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Toast and juice will be available in the Dining Room before class. Sitting and playing your instrument during music classes.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Assigned Classes A, B, and C. This morning we will have shorter class times and all classes will be before lunch to give us time for our free afternoon.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room, sack lunches will be available for pick-up. You are welcome to eat on-campus or take it with you on an outing.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you the most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Sightseeing, hiking, kayaking... or sign up for freelance consorts on campus this afternoon.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. This is also an opportunity for Freelance Consorts and gathering with fellow Road Scholar musicians to play the music you love. Time for creative music exploration, camaraderie, and sharpening our skills for the Friday night performance.
Day
5
Early Music Classes, Faculty Concert
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hidden Valley Inn
Activity Note
Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Toast and juice will be available in the Dining Room before class. Sitting and playing your instrument during music classes.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Assigned Classes A and B.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Assigned Class C and Orchestra.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Faculty Concert. Our expert instructors have been rehearsing all week to present an Early Music concert to students and community members. As we enjoy the music, we will watch and learn as the masters perform repertoire that reflects the musical themes of the week’s workshop.
Day
6
Road Scholar Concert, Open Mic Night
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hidden Valley Inn
Activity Note
Pre-breakfast class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the Dance Studio. Toast and juice will be available in the Dining Room before class. Sitting and playing your instrument during music classes and performance.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Assigned Classes A and B.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Assigned Classes C and Orchestra. Road Scholar Concert. We will perform the orchestra repertoire we have been learning and rehearsing to a small audience of our teachers and Hidden Valley community members.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Open Mic Night. We’ll end the program, celebrate the music, and new friends as we enjoy skits, solo and small group music pieces, limericks, and laughter! Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
16 Meals
6 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025
- Oct 26, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
- Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 08, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 3 Reviews
Sort By:
If you are an amateur musician of intermediate or above skill, and play the recorder, viol, curtal or shawm and are interested in playing new and challenging early music, this is a wonderful workshop for you. The excellent faculty combine their expertise, varied and effective teaching strategies and an appropriate level of music to make the time well spent learning and playing early music on period instruments.
— Review left November 6, 2022
I attended the second week and was in the early double reed classes. We played and performed beautiful music from the Spanish and Italian Renaissance on shawms, dulcians, and sackbuts in class. I recommend this workshop to other players of loud band music.
Peter Braunfield
— Review left November 17, 2021
This workshop was conducted by instructors who are top notch in their field. Excellent opportunity to learn about early music and instruments.
— Review left November 11, 2019
