Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the alternate route directions.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Take your seat among other songwriters as we work to refine our songwriting tools. We will go beyond the basic nuts and bolts of the craft and take our skills to the next level. Get ready to develop the ability to translate your own life stories into well-crafted, heartfelt songs. Through writing exercises, song assignments, performances, co-writing and demonstrations, the inner muse will be coaxed and cultivated. In a safe, supportive, fun workshop climate, we’ll share and receive constructive feedback on our works in progress.
Discover and expand your boundaries and edges around the songwriting process, and bridge inspiration and craft. At week’s end, the group will share its songs, new and old, with the Esalen community.
This workshop is for individuals who have experience in songwriting and are working on refining their musical voice. You should have written some songs and be able to perform them from memory prior to attending this workshop. Bring your musical instrument and dress casually — we will do some dancing and moving. There will also be evening jams. Simple recording devices are strongly encouraged. Bring an open heart and a curious mind.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Julie Baker Chouteau, is a psychotherapist specializing in the cultivation of authenticity, navigating life transitions, and trauma recovery. She works with creative process as an expression of one’s inner landscape. She has a private practice in Sausalito, California.
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Monday
5:00 pm – 5:45 * How to Drop into Esalen *
7:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
7:30 pm -9:00 pm Optional
Thursday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule.
See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.
For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.
Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.
Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.
As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Take your seat among other songwriters as we work to refine our songwriting tools. We will go beyond the basic nuts and bolts of the craft and take our skills to the next level. Get ready to develop the ability to translate your own life stories into well-crafted, heartfelt songs. Through writing exercises, song assignments, performances, co-writing and demonstrations, the inner muse will be coaxed and cultivated. In a safe, supportive, fun workshop climate, we’ll share and receive constructive feedback on our works in progress.
Discover and expand your boundaries and edges around the songwriting process, and bridge inspiration and craft. At week’s end, the group will share its songs, new and old, with the Esalen community.
This workshop is for individuals who have experience in songwriting and are working on refining their musical voice. You should have written some songs and be able to perform them from memory prior to attending this workshop. Bring your musical instrument and dress casually — we will do some dancing and moving. There will also be evening jams. Simple recording devices are strongly encouraged. Bring an open heart and a curious mind.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Johnsmith has been writing heartfelt songs for more than 40 years. He has won national awards and contests, was a staff songwriter in Nashville and has recorded nine CDs. He's taught songwriting workshops nationwide, and has been featured on NPR's New Dimensions
Julie Baker Chouteau, is a psychotherapist specializing in the cultivation of authenticity, navigating life transitions, and trauma recovery. She works with creative process as an expression of one’s inner landscape. She has a private practice in Sausalito, California.
November 6–10, 2023
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
Take your seat among other songwriters as we work to refine our songwriting tools. We will go beyond the basic nuts and bolts of the craft and take our skills to the next level. Get ready to develop the ability to translate your own life stories into well-crafted, heartfelt songs. Through writing exercises, song assignments, performances, co-writing and demonstrations, the inner muse will be coaxed and cultivated. In a safe, supportive, fun workshop climate, we’ll share and receive constructive feedback on our works in progress.
Discover and expand your boundaries and edges around the songwriting process, and bridge inspiration and craft. At week’s end, the group will share its songs, new and old, with the Esalen community.
This workshop is for individuals who have experience in songwriting and are working on refining their musical voice. You should have written some songs and be able to perform them from memory prior to attending this workshop. Bring your musical instrument and dress casually — we will do some dancing and moving. There will also be evening jams. Simple recording devices are strongly encouraged. Bring an open heart and a curious mind.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Johnsmith has been writing heartfelt songs for more than 40 years. He has won national awards and contests, was a staff songwriter in Nashville and has recorded nine CDs. He's taught songwriting workshops nationwide, and has been featured on NPR's New Dimensions
Julie Baker Chouteau, is a psychotherapist specializing in the cultivation of authenticity, navigating life transitions, and trauma recovery. She works with creative process as an expression of one’s inner landscape. She has a private practice in Sausalito, California.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org