Resonance Retreat for Women

The Resonance Retreat is designed for women cellists who are:

• Craving space away from daily demands
• Longing for clarity and momentum in their artistic or professional life
• Seeking a community of supportive, like-minded women musicians
• Curious about integrating wellness, reflection, and creativity
• Ready to take bold but grounded action in a calm environment
• Current educators looking for arts-centered professional development

For music educators, this retreat provides meaningful, applicable professional development in areas including
reflective teaching practice, wellness for musicians, creative identity, and sustainable career strategies.

Ascent Music is happy to provide documentation or certification verifying your participation as
professional development to your school district, university, or arts organization.

• 3 nights of private on-campus lodging
• All meals and snacks
• Daily wellness practices (movement, meditation, breathwork)
• Workshops with guest artists on wellness, creative identity, and career sustainability
• Structured strategy and implementation sessions
• 1:1 coaching or mentoring
• Individual work time / practice pods
• Community circles for reflection and conversation
• Retreat workbook for reflection and integration
• Supportive, intentional community of women musicians
• Optional professional development documentation upon request

Day 1 – Arrival & Setting Intentions

• 3:00–5:00 PM — Arrival & Check-In
• 5:00–6:00 PM — Welcome Circle & Intention Setting
• 6:00–7:00 PM — Community Dinner
• 7:15–8:30 PM — Gentle Movement & Breathwork
• 8:30–9:00 PM — Evening Reflection

Day 2 – Whole Self & Creative Practice

• 7:30–8:15 AM — Morning Meditation or Gentle Yoga
• 8:30–9:30 AM — Breakfast
• 9:30–10:30 AM — Guest Presentation: Wellness for Musicians
• 10:45 AM–12:30 PM — Workshop: Creative Identity & Musical Voice
• 12:30–1:30 PM — Lunch
• 1:30–3:30 PM — Individual Work Session / Practice Pods
• 3:30–4:00 PM — Break / Optional Nature Walk
• 4:00–5:30 PM — 1:1 Coaching Sessions
• 5:30–6:30 PM — Group Sharing Circle
• 6:30–7:30 PM — Dinner
• 7:45–8:45 PM — Evening Creative Activity

Day 3 – Taking Bold Action

• 7:30–8:15 AM — Mindful Movement or Sound Meditation
• 8:30–9:30 AM — Breakfast
• 9:30–10:30 AM — Guest Presentation: Building a Sustainable Career
• 10:45 AM–12:30 PM — Hands-On Strategy Lab
• 12:30–1:30 PM — Lunch
• 1:30–3:30 PM — Focused Work Sprint
• 3:30–4:00 PM — Break / Tea Time
• 4:00–5:30 PM — 1:1 Coaching / Peer Mentoring
• 5:30–6:15 PM — Group Discussion: Reflections & Next Steps
• 6:30–7:30 PM — Dinner
• 8:00–9:00 PM — Relaxation Ritual

Day 4 – Integration & Departure

• 7:30–8:15 AM — Morning Stretch / Guided Journaling
• 8:30–9:30 AM — Breakfast
• 9:30–11:00 AM — Integration Circle
• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Closing Workshop
• 12:00–12:30 PM — Farewell Ritual
• 12:30–1:30 PM — Lunch
• 1:30–3:00 PM — Departure

If you can and want to, that’s great!  If not, we have partnered with a local violin shop who can loan solid instruments for you to borrow during the retreat.

This is a retreat first, with space for meaningful artistic work. You’ll have opportunities for reflection, 1:1 coaching, and focused work time, but the tone is restorative and spacious rather than packed with back-to-back rehearsals.

Yes. The retreat is intentionally designed to support musicians who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or tired — as well as those who are energized and simply seeking direction. Wellness, rest, and reflection are built into the schedule.

We encourage full participation to get the most out of the experience, but this is an adult retreat environment, not a summer camp. If you need to rest during a block or take personal time, we support you listening to your needs.

Participants will stay in on-campus housing at Western Reserve Academy, in private rooms with shared bathrooms.  A handful of rooms with private bathrooms may be available for an additional charge, more details will be sent upon registration. Rooms have A/C and  are simple, comfortable, and walking distance from all retreat activities.

Yes. All meals and snacks are included in tuition. We will gather dietary information in advance and do our best to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs.

We aim to make the retreat accessible while also sustaining our artistic and organizational work. If you need a payment plan or to discuss options, please reach out to admissions@ascentmusic.org.