The Dylana Jenson Farm Retreat
A focused, immersive retreat for violinists seeking
depth, clarity, and renewal through music
Dates by Special Request
Belding, Michigan
Why this retreat?
This exclusive experience offers just 5 violinists the chance to work with Dylana Jenson, one of the most inspiring and forward thinking pedagogues of her generation. Masterful in the clarity of her teaching, Dylana will guide your artistic potential through her personal insights, both technical and creative, gleaned from a career of performing on the world stage.
Dylana's ability to demonstrate tone, vibrato, phrasing and personal emotion at the highest artistic level is life changing. Dylana can lead you to use your vibrato and bow control to produce gorgeous sound with power and projection. She will also provide practice techniques to improve your overall playing more quickly and efficiently.
If you want to sing on your violin, explore your inner voice and have guidance to truly express the depth of your interpretation, this retreat is for you.
grand central Farm
A picturesque estate of some 60 acres, including 30 acres of woodland paths, Grand Central Farm offers students time to reflect alone or enjoy relaxing hikes with Dylana and David.
Homemade organic meals are shared including gluten and dairy free, as well as vegan options. When not practicing or playing in Masterclass, everyone can enjoy ping pong, foosball and even pickleball inside the Studio Barn. Bonfires in the evening are often followed by board games and card games including the house favorite, a lively card game know as Schwoop!
This retreat is suited for:
• Advanced students
• Professionals
• Serious amateur violinists
How it Works
*Daily Masterclasses
In a space where all students are present, you will gain important insights not only from your own lessons, but by listening to the lessons of your fellow students. It cannot be overstated how invaluable this experience is and how much more you will learn over simply a private lesson. This atmosphere is supportive not competitive, where you will become comfortable playing and learning together.
*Audition preparation of excerpts with David Lockington
This unique opportunity will be offered three times during your stay on the Grand Central Farm.Standard excepts will be sent to those interested in this unique audition preparation one month before the Retreat.
*Piano accompanist for two Masterclasses and end of Retreat performance
We will have an experienced and sensitive, collaborative pianist play twice in Masterclass setting, and if desired, an additional rehearsal for the end of Retreat performance.
David & Dylana
David Lockington has been Music Director of multiple national orchestras for over 40 years. He has been the deciding vote for countless auditions and knows exactly what is needed to be successful. David is also a cellist and composer.
Testimonials
"Attending your workshop has been one of the best musical experiences and decisions I’ve ever made. The approach taken in the workshop is so straightforward and simple, it reminded me to get out of my own way in my playing, and to always seek out the most natural way of moving. It also reminded me of what ‘natural’ is after so many years of doing certain things unnaturally. I’ve developed far greater security in more aspects of my playing than I can count, and I play in much greater comfort, and without pain (aside from getting sore in the muscle in my back you pointed out to us to use for our bow stroke). Playing has become so much easier, and there are so many more avenues of expression open to me as a result of everything I learned.
The masterclass format is incredibly helpful, and was great for letting me see some of the issues other players were dealing with — sometimes similar, sometimes not — and how they overcome them, and how the things they learned also apply to me.
Being able to stay in your home also allowed for a very informal, and welcoming atmosphere in which support and encouragement were emphasized from the very beginning. I’ve never felt so comfortable to hit a wrong note, nor so determined to excel in whichever aspect of playing we were addressing, and to become a better player as a result."
Scott Johnson, Workshop
"I really think your workshop is a unique and wonderful experience! It was really interesting to hear what you had to say about my playing, and has given me a different perspective that is valuable and very interesting. I am very intent on understanding how to play and how to help young players develop. I really enjoyed discussing this with you and would love to be able to do so more some day! In addition, it was wonderful to watch your work with the other participants and to hear and see the changes in their playing - their progress was truly impressive, and your musical and technical insights are always great to hear; so just being able to sit and listen to them, to your demonstrations, to the ideas behind what you are saying - it's all terrific!"
Janet Melnicoff Brown, Workshop, recipient of Peabody Preparatory's Excellence in Teaching Award
"The ideas that Ms. Jenson taught me were and are applicable to all the pieces of music that I have played, and has contributed greatly to my growth as a musician. Not only that, but the atmosphere was always one of respect and encouragement."
Eleanor Yu, Workshop
"Being a violin student of Ms. Dylana Jenson has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. For many years I was playing with a technique that caused me a lot of pain in both my wrists, but especially in the right hand. When I told her, she immediately cared and we started working in a more natural way to play violin.
Something that really helped me was that she explained to me why my other technique didn’t work for me and how adopting a more natural position of holding the bow would help me. The other thing that I changed was removing the shoulder rest. This, instead of making things harder, it made them easier.
After the first weeks working in the way she showed me, I started feeling better. Now, I play without pain. Mrs. Jenson is definitely amazing not only as a violinist but also as a teacher and as a person!"
– P. Soto, student
Tuition
$2000.00
In the case of illness or injury, tuition may be refundable.
In the event of Retreat cancellation tuition will be fully refunded. A liability waiver will be sent to each participant.
Tuition includes 3 meals a day, coffee, tea and snacks anytime.
Masterclass daily, two will include a pianist
End of week performance in The Studio, a beautiful barndominium space where we play pickleball!
If you would like to bring a non-participating partner, their cost will be $1000.00
ACCOMMODATIONS
Purple Rain Bedroom: Queen Bed or Two Singles. If shared, tuition is reduced by $150
Into The Woods Bedroom: Queen Bed
A Room with View Bedroom: Queen Bed
The Lofty Bedroom: King Bed
TRANSPORTATION
By air: Gerald Ford International Airport. You will need to arrange an Uber or Lyft. Taxi’s are also available