May 20-24, 2018 (Sold Out)
September 16-20, 2018 (Limited Availability)
October 21-25, 2018 (Sold Out)
World-class instruction for adult amateur pianists
Icicle Creek Center for the Arts offers adult, amateur pianists an exciting opportunity to experience four memorable days of world-class instruction and performance in a spectacular retreat setting in the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth, Washington. The program is designed to include scheduled private lessons, private practice, master classes, individualized movement assessments, group Alexander Technique sessions, special topics, gourmet dining, optional outdoor activities and a faculty concert in Snowy Owl Theater.
The September 16-20 retreat will also include expert guidance and workshop with specialist Lynette Westendorf on improvisation for pianists; exploring a hands-on lessons in listening, abandoning self-conscious criticism, letting fingers explore the keys, opening the door to basics of beginning improvisation.
No audition necessary. Limited to 12 participants.
$650 per person per retreat registration fee (includes 3 private lessons, 1 ticket to faculty concert, 2 master classes, 3 special topic sessions, individualized physical assessments and optional sessions with on-site , licensed massage therapist (by appointment only))
First come, first served basis. Once cabins are filled, alternate lodging in the area is available to you at your own expense.
$120/night single occupancy, $60/night double occupancy in cabins at the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. Limited spaces – first come first served basis.
$250 (includes tax and gratuity) for two breakfasts and one dinner at Sleeping Lady’s Kingfisher Restaurant; three, exclusive, catered candlelight dinners.
Other no-host options include conveniently located O’Grady’s Pantry and numerous restaurants/delicatessens in nearby downtown Leavenworth. Sleeping Lady’s Grotto bar available for cocktail hour and evening festivities (no host) and is within walking distance.
- Steinway L
- Steinway B
- Kawai concert grand
- Kawai grand
- Kimball grand
- Steinway upright
- Chickering spinet
Check in between 1-3 PM on day one, check out by 2PM on day five. Retreat features a final, participant’s private recital with champagne on day five at noon.
- $50 non-refundable deposit. If you cancel more than 30 days before the session start date, then you will receive all money paid except the $50
- 8 to 30 days before start of session, 50% refund
- 7 days before start of session, no refund
2018 Faculty
Lisa Bergman
Program Director, All Sessions
A passionate promoter of classical music, Lisa Bergman is a national Gracie Award-winning radio announcer on Classic KING-FM streaming worldwide. A concert pianist specializing in collaborative piano and chamber music she is a graduate of the Juilliard School, Stony Brook University and the University of Washington, cum laude. A former member of the University of Washington Music Faculty, her discography includes six CDs.
Jerry Borshard
May Session
Jerry Borshard studied at Northwest German Music Academy in Detmold as part of his undergraduate work before going on to graduate piano studies under the late Larry Walz at the University of North Texas. Occasional recital and concert performances have highlighted his 35 year career as a private piano teacher and adjudicator in North Texas. Moving to Santa Fe has led to discovering greater mindfulness through yoga and massage which directly improves keyboard control and musical communication.
Lynette Westendorf
September Session
Emmy-award winning composer and pianist Lynette Westendorf has been a dedicated composer, educator and musician of diverse interests her entire life. She has performed myriad styles from traditional folk to avant guard jazz, church music to rock and roll; she has composed film scores, music for modern dance, solo and ensemble pieces, and award winning symphonic works. She has taught both privately and in the classroom, focusing on piano and music theory.
She currently leads a progressive jazz trio, and is in the process of composing an entire set of Preludes and Fugues for solo piano. She can play Bach in swing style, and recently performed the continuo part for selections from Handel’s Messiah. When not at the piano, Lynette is an avid outdoor enthusiast. In 2016 she took a solo pilgrimage on bicycle through J.S Bach’s region in Germany, and this past fall biked through Ireland’s County Kerry. Lynette is also an art quilter. Her degrees are from the University of New Mexico and the University of Washington. She lives in Winthrop with her husband, the writer/historian E. Richard Hart.
Chelsea Bloomberg
October Session
Chelsea Bloomberg, NCTM holds a Master of Arts degree in music and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance and pedagogy from Washington State University. She completed her performance studies under Dr. Gerald Berthiaume. Her studies included extensive research on children’s method books and intermediate literature.
She was awarded the Association for Faculty Women’s Founder’s Award Runner Up for her research on Edward MacDowell’s Four Piano Sonatas and her undergraduate Honor’s Thesis on Beethoven’s compositional periods receiving Pass with Distinction from the WSU Honor’s College. She now teaches privately and is on faculty at the Chopin Academy of Music and is the Northwest Coordinator for the Crescendo International Competition. Her students are prizewinners at many local festivals and have appeared at Carnegie Hall. In addition to teaching, she continues to perform regularly as both a soloist and collaborative musician.
Gayle Holeton
All Sessions
An educator, private piano studio professional and Nia Black Belt teacher. She practices in Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Yoga, Martial Arts and Dance. Retreat focus will be mindful exploration into optimal use of the body’s design, for more ease, agility, strength and balance for pianists.
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