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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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Program

At a Glance

Duration

7 days

Program Begins

Carmel Valley, CA

Program Concludes

Carmel Valley, CA

Meals

16 ( 6B, 5L, 5D )

Activity Level

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.

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.

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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. The 2025 musical theme is "A Musical Cornucopia: Explore the Delights of Medieval to Baroque Music from England, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany." 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.

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 the program

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Shira Kammen

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.

David Morris

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

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.

Emily Gray

Emily Gray’s love for dance and movement began as a young child in classes at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. In Houston, Emily continued training in classical ballet and modern dance. She served as Discovery Dance Group’s assistant to the director and director of the Junior Company while performing professionally. Since returning to Carmel Valley in 1995, Emily has enjoyed a career as a dance instructor, teaching children and adults of all ages and skill levels. She currently holds adult ballet classes at Hidden Valley.

Activity Level

Easy Going

Minimal walking on flat terrain.

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.