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 San Diego, CA. 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
Handlery Hotel San Diego
As you step into the Handlery Hotel San Diego, you’ll find a place that embodies warmth and comfort, designed to make you feel right at home. We take great pride in our inviting atmosphere, which blends modern amenities with a touch of classic California charm. The Handlery Hotel San Diego stands as a charming embodiment of ranch-inspired architecture, gracefully framed by swaying palm trees and vibrant, colorful landscaping that enchants the senses, nestled next to the lush, rolling fairways of the Riverwalk Golf Club in the heart of San Diego’s renowned Hotel Circle.
Our Postcards Cafe and Cocktails present an exquisite selection of cuisine and creatively crafted cocktails, all enjoyed in a lively setting that exudes warmth. Our Seasonal Reef Lounge Poolside Bar & Grill beckons with mouthwatering burgers and a curated list of craft beers, inviting guests to lounge by the inviting waters of our heated outdoor pool. In addition to these wonderful dining experiences, our hotel offers an extensive array of amenities including a fully equipped fitness center. The Handlery Hotel San Diego is a legacy of hospitality, that lies just moments away from the finest attractions, recreational pursuits, and vibrant nightlife that San Diego has to offer.
Discover All The Exciting Things To Do In San Diego, CA
Make the most of your stay by exploring all the great things to see in San Diego, CA. Explore miles of pristine San Diego beaches. Lose yourself in a lush urban oasis of green, bursting with botanical gardens, museums and tranquil walking paths. Go wild at the world’s largest zoo. Check out aquatic creatures great and small, like killer whales, clown fish and sea lions at the country’s best aquatic theme park. The vibrant Gaslamp Quarter with its diverse dining, shopping and nightlife is just a short stroll away.
- Balboa Park
- San Diego Zoo
- SeaWorld -Beaches
- Gaslamp Quarter
- USS Midway Museum
- and much more!
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…..
2026 Guest Artists
Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert is widely regarded as a technical chameleon and guitar virtuoso. As someone who has vividly shaped the role of the electric guitar in rock music, Paul Gilbert knows a thing or two about which rules to follow — and when to break them. In Mr. Big, he was responsible for pioneering pop rock anthems such as ‘To Be With You’ that saw the group top charts and headline arenas around the world. In Racer X, he pushed the electric guitar to its furthest limits, in a more metallic direction, leaving listeners and audiences mesmerized by how his compositions could be so technically thrilling and tastefully musical at the same time. As a solo artist, he’s traversed both instrumental and vocal-led sonic landscapes that have crossed over from blues, classical and jazz to straight-up rock. Paul has played on Joe Satriani’s G3 tours and is also considered one of the world’s most influential guitar instructors, contributing to Guitar Player magazine and Total Guitar. Paul’s new album, WROC, which stands for “Washington’s Rules of Civility,” could very well be the guitar superstar’s most outlandish offering to date.
Bryan Beller
Bryan Beller has maintained a multi-faceted career as a bassist, composer, solo artist and clinician for over 25 years, earning his reputation as a uniquely talented yet supremely tasteful team player for instrumentally-minded artists. In the power super-trio The Aristocrats (with uber-players Guthrie Govan on guitar and Marco Minnemann on drums) he’s a part of one of the hottest acts in rock/fusion today. He was Joe Satriani’s bassist for 12 years and has also worked with Steve Vai, Dethklok, and been a musical partner of freak/genius guitarist Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa) for over 20 years and 10 albums. Bryan has also released his own solo albums and instructional material to widespread acclaim. As a pure player, a composer, a masterclass clinician, and a former Contributing Editor for Bass Player Magazine, Bryan Beller brings a holistic perspective to the world of bass, and music. g to date.
Joel Hoekstra
New York guitarist Joel Hoekstra currently plays for Whitesnake and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Joel is also well-known for his work with: Cher, Night Ranger, the Broadway show Rock of Ages, his fill in work with Foreigner, Accept, his annual sets on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, recording projects like Revolution Saints, Iconic, viral collaboration videos with the likes of Dino Jelusick, Arnel Pineda, Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and his acoustic shows with Brandon Gibbs. Exhibiting a knack for music education, he has also been a frequent columnist for Guitar World Magazine, taught at Musician’s Institute and Guitar Workshop Plus. Over the years, Joel has released 3 instrumental solo albums and 4 critically acclaimed albums with his side project Joel Hoekstra’s 13! Most recently he was the guest guitarist on Dancing with the Stars (Hair Metal Episode), played with Cher at her Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction and the SNL 50 Homecoming Concert and released his 4th album from Joel Hoekstra’s 13 entitled ‘From the Fade’.
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
2026 San Diego Session Fees (U.S. Dollars)
Commuter Package & Meals $2,270
+ $120 Registration Fee*
Package Includes:
- Classes, clinics, workshops, presentations, and concerts
- Two meals daily (Lunch and Dinner)
- Wi-Fi
This package does not include lodging. Pricing is per person.
*Registration Fee is non-refundable
Shared Room w/ Two Beds $2,899
+ $120 Registration Fee*
Package Includes:
- Classes, clinics, seminars, workshops, presentations, concerts and entertainment for 6 days and 5 nights.
- Three amazing meals each day.
- Hotel accommodation in a standard room with two beds and a roommate. You may request your roommate or one will be assigned based on age and gender. Roommate must also register for the session.
- Wi-Fi
Pricing is per person.
*Registration Fee is non-refundable
Single Room w/ One Bed $3,340
+ $120 Registration Fee*
Package Includes:
- Classes, clinics, seminars, workshops, presentations, concerts and entertainment for 6 days and 5 nights.
- Three amazing meals each day.
- Hotel accommodation in a private standard room with one bed.
- Wi-Fi
Pricing is per person.
*Registration Fee is non-refundable
What’s Not Included
- Transportation
- Alcohol and snacks
- Parking
- Sighteseeing excursions in the area
- Personal musical gear – all attendees must bring your own instruments
Optional Extras
- Amp Rental: $40
- Extra Night (Early Arrival): $255
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.
Travel Information
San Diego Travel
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the campus. San Diego International Airport is the nearest airport located 15 minutes away. Taxi and shuttle services are available from the airport. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario, CA International Airport, and John Wayne International in Orange County, CA are other options.
Handlery Hotel San Diego
Address: 950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
Guitar Workshop Plus would like to thank:
