About The Program
Dates: August 4 to August 13, 2026
Session 1: August 4 to August 8
Session 2: August 9 to August 13*
*NEW:
Classical Quartet Intensive with Colin McAllister! (Session 1 only)
Jazz or Ukulele Tracks with Matt Fuller! (Session 2 only)
Guitarists of all stylistic interests are invited to attend this unique seminar, which will help attendees improve their solo and group performances. Through private lessons, ensemble rehearsals and jam sessions, technique classes, and evening lectures, 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.
Both Session One and Two are geared towards all levels of guitarists who want to take their playing to the next level! Topics covered include:
- the fundamentals of body positioning, and both left- and right-hand technique (pick and fingerstyle)
- playing both by ear and from notation, in solo and group settings
- essential chords, scales and licks, and their application
- soloing over common chord patterns and tunes
- how to design a practice plan for gradual and sustained improvement
- more advanced technical concepts to develop better tone, speed, and dexterity
- a larger variety of chords and voicings, and their application in multiple styles
- scales and modes, and improvisation in a group setting
- performance of solo literature
- the playing styles of great guitarists—from classical to rock
the effective use of effects and pedals, including the loop station
Attendees studying with Matt will participate in:
Jazz Guitar Ensemble
- Designed for 3–6 players
- Electric guitars required
- Students should bring an amp if possible; amps can be provided if needed
Focus:
This group will emphasize playing together as a group. Topics will include:
- Melody Playing
- Comping
- Soloing
- Chord melody Playing
- Listening and interaction
- Memorizing tunes
- Expanding vocabulary for improvisation
- Stylistic feels and rhythmic concepts
- Composition (for those interested)
Prerequisites:
- Some blues and/or jazz experience
- Experience improvising and playing with others
- Basic fingerboard knowledge (note names)
- Basic 7th chord and scale knowledge
- Ability to read chord charts (required)
- Basic note reading is helpful but not mandatory
OR
Ukulele Group
Designed for beginning to intermediate ukulele players.
- Basic chords and strumming
- Introduction to basic note reading
- Emphasis on singing and playing simple folk and pop songs
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. Students are welcome to attend both sessions.
More Info
Tuition and Fees
Tuition (includes lodging and meals):
Full Session: $3,000 (includes $100 discount)
Half-Session: $1,550
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.
Private Cabins:
Private cabins with bathrooms and shared cabins with ensuite bathrooms are available to rent for an additional fee. We also offer several camping options, as well as bunk-style housing at no cost. See prices and information about each cabin below. For those staying off-campus, please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org for local housing recommendations.
We accept the following forms of payment:
- Check (no extra fees)
- Please make checks out to Rocky Ridge Music and mail to 1128 Pine St., Boulder CO. 80302.
- An ACH Bank Transfer will incur a processing fee of 1% (not more than $10).
- Credit or Debit cards payments will incur a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.25.
Daily Schedules
Breakfast (8:00-8:45a)
Technique Olympics (8:45-9:30a)
Rise and Shine! After breakfast each morning we’ll jump start our day with a group technique workout, honing scales, arpeggios, slurs, stretches, and providing exercises for both the left and right hands. We’ll also talk about tone production, for both fingerstyle and plectrum players.
Private Lessons (9:30a-noon)
Lunch (12:15-12:45p)
Ensemble Rehearsal (1:00-2:00pm)
As guitarists, we often practice alone or perhaps with a backing track. This is a chance to improve our ensemble performance skills. We’ll read through pieces in varying musical styles, with parts designed for all skill levels. Some of these pieces may find their way to performance on the student concert.
Private Lessons (2:00-5:00p)
Happy Hour Jam Session (5:00-6:00pm)
It’s a real treat to get together and improvise with other players. Every afternoon, faculty and students will join together to let their creativity flow! We’ll talk about strategies for improvising in various styles and practice those in the comfort of a large group.
Private Cabin Pricing
Please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org if you are interested in these options. Note that not all cabins are pictured.
$550 per half session:
- Sapsucker
- Nutcracker
- Firebird
- Kingfisher
- Magpie
$450 per half session:
- Nuthatch
- Starling
- Lodge Apt (ADA Accessible)
- Hummingbird
$350 per half session:
- Crow
(Semi-Private Housing)
$200 per session:
- Brookside
- Woodpecker
- Lower Chalet
- Upper Chalet Apt.
(Camping Options)
- “Glamping” Large Tent + Platform ($350)
- “Glamping” Teepee + Platform ($200)
- Camping Sites ($100 each; please limit campers to 16 feet or shorter)
Registration Deadline
Applications open October 15, 2025.
No audition is required for this program, but all applications must still be submitted through Acceptd. Please access the link below.
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 Queen size bed
- One twin bed
- One bathroom (with shower)
- One mini fridge
- Sitting area
- Optional coffee maker
Hummingbird Cabin
Hummingbird Cabin
- Sleeps: 2
- One Queen size bed
- One bathroom (with shower)
- One mini fridge
Kingfisher Cabin
Kingfisher Cabin
- Sleeps: 2
- One Queen size bed
- Bathroom (with shower)
- Mini fridge
- Sitting area
- Optional coffee maker
Crow Cabin
Crow Cabin
- Sleeps: 2
- One Queen size bed
- Bathroom (with shower)
- Mini fridge
- Optional coffee maker
Woodpecker Cabin
Woodpecker Cabin
- Sleeps up to 5
- 5 twin beds
- Bathroom (with shower)
- Optional coffee maker
Firebird Cabin
Firebird Cabin
- Sleeps: 3
- One Queen size bed
- One twin bed
- One bathroom (with shower)
- Sitting area
- One mini fridge
- Optional coffee maker
Starling Cabin
Starling Cabin
- Sleeps: 2
- One Queen 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 Queen size bed
- One bathroom
- One mini fridge
- Optional coffee maker
Nuthatch Cabin
Nuthatch Cabin
- Sleeps: 2
- One Queen size bed
- One bathroom (with shower)
- One mini fridge
- Optional coffee maker
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Faculty
Colin McAllister
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.
Matt Fuller
Guitarist Matt Fuller is an active performer and educator, he teaches jazz guitar at Denver Metro State University. Matt recently relocated back to his home state of Colorado after living in NYC as a freelancing musician and teacher from 2012-2015. His debut album as a leader Waiting for Violet was released in May 2014 and features celebrated trumpeter Ron Miles. Some notable musicians he has performed with include Idina Menzel, Marvin Hamlisch and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Amir ElSaffar, Cuong Vu, Bill Ware, Scott Amendola and New West Guitar Group. Originally from Colorado, Matt holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado. Prior to teaching at Denver MSU he taught jazz guitar at University of Northern Colorado from 2005-2011. Matt studied jazz guitar and music theory for eleven years with his mentor Dale Bruning (Bill Frisell’s original teacher). After running his own private lessons studios in Denver and Brooklyn, Matt draws on twenty years teaching experience when working with children and adults. He finds great joy in helping each student develop their skills and find their own direction in music.