
About Guitar Workshop Plus
The Ultimate in Music Education
Guitar Workshop Plus is much more than just a guitar camp or summer music camp. We offer week long workshops in a musical environment at superb facilities in Nashville, TN. Our faculty members are professional musicians and instructors with extensive experience teaching in summer music programs, workshops, private settings, and post secondary institutions. Along with receiving visits from world famous guest artists, our top ranked summer music program allows students to participate in daily classes, clinics, ensemble and student performances, and evening concerts. World famous guest artists such as Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson (Rush), John Scofield, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Robben Ford, Billy Sheehan, and many more teach and perform for our participants.
General Course Info
Currently instruction is provided for:
- guitar
- bass
- drums
- keyboard
- vocals
- songwriting
Students elect to study a class or seminar each session. The guitar program is extensive and unique in that students elect to study the style that they enjoy most.
Guitar styles include:
- rock
- blues
- jazz
- acoustic
- classical
- country
We offer comprehensive classes covering:
- hands-on technique
- theory
- performance
- musicianship skills
- ear training
- rhythm studies
- and more!
In addition, most of these classes include a one-hour per day rhythm section class in which students are given the opportunity to play with the faculty rhythm section and apply the skills and knowledge they are acquiring in class to a performance setting. Attendees also rehearse with ensembles throughout the week which will perform at the end of the session.
Classes:
Classes are offered for varying skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. On the first day of the session, all students are evaluated to ensure that they are placed in the appropriate class level thereby maximizing their learning potential. Class sizes are small to promote individualized attention for each student as well as to facilitate ensemble arrangements.


Seminars:
Seminars are courses which concentrate on specific topics and will sometimes feature guest instructors. Generally, seminars are designed for the intermediate to advanced player although some may be open to all levels. Students are evaluated to ensure that they are at an appropriate level for the course. Seminar students meet with the instructor all day and, because there is no restriction to class size, do not take part in rhythm section classes. Faculty led ensembles for seminars depend upon class size and format.
Clinics:
In addition, all students may attend clinics. Each day, two or three clinics are offered covering topics such as improvisation, songwriting, vocals, scales and modes, building technique, slide, percussion, hand drumming and more. Students are welcome to sign up for these clinics on campus.


Concerts:
Each day at the workshop concludes with an evening concert. These include faculty performances, student jams, ensemble concerts, and performances by our amazing guest artists. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s finest musicians in an intimate setting. In addition to the student jams and concerts, many of the artists will invite attendees up to play with them as well so the fun never ends!!
Location & Facilities
Nashville Facilities
Cumberland University is located just outside of Nashville, TN – Music City USA! In addition to the great location, this campus features great housing, a brand new dining cafe and has fantastic facilities including an auditorium and stage, large classes, and beautiful historical buildings. Nearby attractions include museums and several annual festivals. Famous Nashville attractions include Music Row which is filled with legendary honky tonks, bars, and music venues, The Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry.


Discover All The Exciting Things To Do In Nashville!
- Grand Ole Opry
- Music Row
- Broadway
- Country Music Hall of Fame
- RCA Studio B
- Ryman Auditorium
- Johnny Cash Museum
Faculty and Artists
Our guest artists share their knowledge and experiences with our students while visiting classes, conducting clinics, and performing concerts. Past Guest Artists include: Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Robben Ford, John Scofield, Steve Vai, Randy Bachman, Paul Gilbert, Andy Summers (The Police), Billy Sheehan, Pierre Bensusan, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), John Abercrombie, Duke Robillard, Andy Timmons, Mike Stern, John Knowles, Rik Emmett, John Jorgenson, Sue Foley, Jennifer Batten, Andy McKee, Orianthi, Paul DeLong, Tommy Emmanuel, Rhonda Smith, Guthrie Govan and more…..
2023 Guest Artists

Kirk Fletcher
Kirk Fletcher plugs in his guitar and lets out the weight of the world. With every string bend and sustained vocal, the Los Angeles-born and Nashville-based singer, guitarist, and producer summons the spirit of classic Blues spun with his own fresh fire. It’s why he’s been tapped to complement everyone from Joe Bonamassa to The Fabulous Thunderbirds on stage or in the studio. It’s why he has received several nominations for the Blues Music Award. It’s why he has covered Living Blues Magazine and incited the applause of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Guitar, and many others. It’s why he has amassed a beloved solo discography streamed millions of times. It’s also why his 2022 seventh full-length album, ‘Heartache By The Pound’, scorches as much as it does. Produced by Fletcher at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it proudly affirms him as a preeminent 21st century Blues man.

Christe Lenée
“Acoustic Guitarist of the Year” and celebrated singer/songwriter Christie Lenée is more than a musician – she’s an experience. Symphonic compositions flow from her fingertips effortlessly, with sound ranging from transcendental folk-pop to virtuosic instrumentals. Christie has been described as “Dave Matthews meets Joni Mitchell and Michael Hedges,” integrating melodic pop lyricism with catchy hooks and percussive, harmonic textures. Her captivating performances have been seen on stages with Tommy Emmanuel, Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band), Andy McKee, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Melissa Etheridge, Antigone Rising, Kaki King, Jake Shimabukoro and Christopher Cross to name a few. Featured on the Grammy Museum’s virtual program streaming from Los Angeles, along with a variety of articles in Guitar Player Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and the recent notability of “Best Acoustic Guitarists in the World Right Now” (Guitar World Magazine), Christie continues to awe crowds with the unique essence of her music. Lenée’s newly released album Coming Alive features iconic guitar hooks, powerhouse vocal performances and reminds devout listeners of her spiritual and sublime songwriting, inspirational lyrics, and of course, sensational guitar playing.

John Jorgenson
Grammy-winning guitarist John Jorgenson has had an incredibly eclectic 50 year career as a performing and recording artist, composer, session musician and band leader in numerous styles of music. Other awards include ACM’s “Guitarist of the Year” 3 times, Guitar Player Magazine’s “Album of the Year” and “Country Album of the Year” with the iconic guitar trio “The Hellecasters.” Jorgenson’s celebrated gypsy jazz Quintet has topped jazz charts, and as a founding member of the Desert Rose Band topped country charts numerous times, and with Elton John played on the top selling single of all time. As a composer Jorgenson’s compositions have been featured on Peter Frampton’s Grammy-winning “Fingerprints” album and at the closing ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics. Collaborations onstage and on record include Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, Pavarotti, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Earl Scruggs, George Michael, Billy Joel, Benny Goodman, Little Richard, Sting, The Byrds, and countless others. Jorgenson continues to perform internationally with the John Jorgenson Quintet, his blue grass band J2B2 and his Electric Band, as well as Elton John, Rodney Crowell, and others.
Faculty
Our faculty is carefully selected and comprised of professional musicians and instructors with extensive experience teaching in workshops, private settings, and post secondary institutions. These talented educators have considerable recording backgrounds, perform around the world, author instructional books and write articles for music magazines.
Sample Daily Schedule:*
Breakfast Classes & Seminars Lunch Classes & Seminars Ensemble Rehearsals Clinics/Free Time Dinner Clinics Concert |
8am – 9am 9am – 1pm 1pm – 2pm 2pm – 3pm 3:00pm – 3:30pm 3:30pm – 5:30pm 5:30pm – 6:30pm 6:30pm – 8pm 8:30pm |
*Times may vary according to course selection, facilities, etc. The first and last day of the session follow a different schedule to accommodate registration and check-out.

Pricing
2023 Nashville Session Fees (U.S. Dollars)
Registration Fee (non-refundable): $120
Tuition (Per Session): $1080
On-campus Room & Board (Per Session): $600
Students attending multiple sessions receive a $100 discount.
Amp Rental (optional): $40
For those students who do not have a small portable amplifier for use in the classroom or dorm.
Meal Package (optional): $280
For off-campus students requiring lunch and dinner.
Extra Night: Early Arrival (optional): $110
For students arriving from out of town who require accommodation the night before the start of the session. Meals are not provided until the session begins.
Private Room (optional): $350
Travel Information

Nashville Travel
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the campus. Nashville International Airport is the nearest airport located 25 minutes away. Uber and shuttle services are available from the airport.
Cumberland University
Address: 1 Cumberland Square, Lebanon, TN 37087, USA