About The Program

Dates: August 9 to August 13, 2025

Guitarists of all stripes are invited to attend this unique seminar, which will help students improve their solo and group performances. We welcome all styles, from classical to jazz, fingerstyle acoustic to folk. Through private lessons, masterclasses, ensemble rehearsals and jam sessions, evening lectures, and our daily ‘technique olympics’, students will dramatically improve their skills through close work with our engaged and expert faculty. Participants will have the opportunity to perform in a recital on the final evening of the session.

Whether you are a professional guitar teacher, eager to explore another style, returning to the guitar after some time off, or a beginner at the start of your musical journey, you are welcome!

An audition is not required for this program. Students should have at least one piece prepared and at least one piece that is in progress by the start of this program.

More Info

Registration, Tuition, and Fees

An audition is not required for this program, but applications must be submitted through Acceptd.

 

Tuition (includes lodging and meals):

Tuition: $1,500

Registration Fee:
Early-Bird Deadline: $85 (non-refundable)

After Feb. 15th: $95 (non-refundable)

Optional Fees:

Non-participant fee: $275 per person.  This covers food and lodging for your adult guest.

Bedding and bath linens: $150 per person

  • includes twin fitted and flat sheets, pillowcase, blanket, and a bath towel.

We accept the following forms of payment:

  1. Check (no extra fees)
    • Please make checks out to Rocky Ridge Music and mail to 1128 Pine St., Boulder CO. 80302.
  2. An ACH Bank Transfer will incur a processing fee of 1% (not more than $10).
  3. Credit or Debit cards payments will incur a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.25.

Daily Schedules

Coming Soon!

Lodging

Private cabins are available to rent for an additional fee during this program.  Check the campus map HERE to see where each of these cabins is located. See below on this page for a photo and brief description of each private cabin. We also offer cabins with shared housing and an ensuite bathroom.  Please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org if you are interested in these options.

  • Sapsucker
  • Nutcracker
  • Firebird
  • Kingfisher
  • Nuthatch
  • Starling
  • Lodge Apt (ADA Accessible)
  • Hummingbird
  • Woodpecker
  • Crow

Registration Deadline

Applications open November 1, 2024.

No audition is required for this program, but all applications must still be submitted through Acceptd. Please access the link below.

Apply Now

Registration Fee:

Early-Bird Deadline: $85 (non-refundable)

After Feb. 15th: $95 (non-refundable)

Questions? Let us know at rrmc@rockyridge.org or 970-586-4031.

Nutcracker Cabin

Nutcracker Cabin

  • Sleeps: 3
  • One full size bed
  • One twin bed
  • One bathroom (with shower)
  • One mini fridge
  • Sitting area
  • Optional coffee maker

Hummingbird Cabin

Hummingbird Cabin

  • Sleeps: 2
  • One full size bed
  • One bathroom (with shower)
  • One mini fridge

Kingfisher Cabin

Kingfisher Cabin

  • Sleeps: 2
  • One full size bed
  • Bathroom (with shower)
  • Mini fridge
  • Sitting area
  • Optional coffee maker

Crow Cabin

Crow Cabin

  • Sleeps: 2
  • One full size bed
  • Bathroom (with shower)
  • Mini fridge
  • Optional coffee maker

Woodpecker Cabin

Woodpecker Cabin

  • Sleeps: 6
  • 6 twin beds
  • Bathroom (with shower)

Firebird Cabin

Firebird Cabin

  • Sleeps: 3
  • One full size bed and one twin bed
  • One bathroom (with shower)
  • Sitting area
  • One mini fridge
  • One upright piano
  • Optional coffee maker

Starling Cabin

Starling Cabin

  • Sleeps: 2
  • One full size bed
  • One bathroom (with shower)
  • One mini fridge
  • Optional coffee maker

Lodge Apt

Lodge Apt

Located in the central Lodge building. Adjoining ADA-compliant bathroom.

  • Sleeps: 2
  • One full size bed
  • One bathroom (with shower)
  • One mini fridge
  • Optional coffee maker

Nuthatch Cabin

Nuthatch Cabin

  • Sleeps: 2
  • One full size bed
  • One bathroom (with shower)
  • One mini fridge
  • Optional coffee maker

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Faculty
Colin McAllister
Guitar

Colin McAllister

Adult Guitar Seminar Program Director
Instruments: Guitar
Education: D.M.A., University of California, San Diego
M.A., University of California, San Diego

Colin McAllister is Director of Humanities and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. His performances as a guitarist and conductor have been hailed as ‘sparkling….delivered superbly’ (San Francisco Chronicle), ‘ravishing’ (San Diego Union Tribune) and ‘an amazing tour de force’ (San Diego Story), and he has recorded on the MicroFest, Summit, Innova, Centaur, Naxos, Albany, Old King Cole, Vienna Modern Masters, Carrier, and Tzadik labels. Colin earned both the M.A. and D.M.A. at the University of California, San Diego, where he studied guitar with Los Romeros and Stuart Fox, interpretation with Bertram Turetzky, and conducting with Harvey Sollberger and Rand Steiger.

Colin is the guitarist and conductor for the ensemble NOISE, and a co-founder of the soundON Festival, held annually in La Jolla, California. He performs regularly with both the Hennessy 6 jazz sextet and his own quartet. As a guest artist, he appears regularly with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, and the Playground Ensemble. He is the author of two best-selling guitar instructional series, produced by The Great Courses—Learning to Play Guitar, and Playing Guitar Like a Pro. Colin is endorsed by PRS Guitars and is an Artist Partner with Taylor Guitars.