SONGWRITERS in SOUTH DENALI: RITUAL & RETREAT

Join Susan Gibson, Alicia Stockman, Sheryl Wiser and new friends on a 6-day/5-night songwriting retreat in one of the most stunning areas of Alaska: the South Denali.

Susan, Alicia, and Sheryl invite you to join them for an intimate and immersive combination of story crafting through music, creative practices, and adult summer camp. We'll explore the art of songwriting together through six interactive workshop sessions throughout the week, and in the space in between, head out for Alaskan adventure.

This trip is based in Talkeetna; the tiny, funky, town that serves as gateway to Denali's wilderness. A popular stop on the Alaska Railroad (and the final stop before climbing "the" mountain), Talkeetna (pop. 997 on dirt roads in boreal forest) attracts visitors from all over to its fun-loving and artistic community.

Here, we'll spend five nights together in the heart of this little hamlet, at the confluence of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers. Tucked just a block away from the town's walkable Main Street, we'll stay in modest and comfortable motel-style rooms, each with a private bath.

Although we won't be climbing North America’s highest peak, there’s adventure to grab hold of within walking distance of our rooms: Denali flight-seeing tours, hikes from mild to wild, and rafting or jet boating upriver. Free time will be woven into our itinerary so you can leisurely explore Talkeetna’s quaint shops, artist booths, and museums, as well as partake of its own lively nightlife and music scene.

This gathering is for everybody. Whether you are just at the edges of songwriting, further along in your process, or looking for fresh ideas and inspiration, song is one of the oldest forms of human expression. Your hosts invite you to join them in circles that will collectively weave our experiences and innate talents together.

They've also designed this trip with affordability in mind. There's a base cost for the trip which includes all lodging, most meals, and all workshops. Past the trip itself, you'll have the option to purchase outdoor activities that appeal to you, allowing you to "choose your own adventure" upon check out.

Your curated group trip to rural Alaska requires securing lodging and other resources on your behalf before you arrive. Our cancellation policy offers as much flexibility and security as is possible for all. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to reserve your spot with the balance of trip fees paid in equal (interest free) installments over time. Trip fees are refundable per the schedule presented during your registration process.

If you're passionate about the art of songwriting, curious about Alaska, intrigued by Denali, and looking to build community, this is the trip you won't want to miss. The long summer days in the Last Frontier will see us connecting with nature in a still-wild place, embarking on adventures in South Denali, seeing small-town life in Alaska, and sharing stories through music on the river.

We expect this trip to sell out quickly. A wait list will be available if you'd like notification of space opening up. You can easily submit a question regarding the retreat by hitting the button in the upper right corner, "ask a question". We'll return your inquiry within one to two business days.