2026 Cello Dreaming Summer Intensive Retreat

OUR 2026 RETREAT

WHEN:  Thursday 15th January to Sunday 18th January 2026. 

Retreat kicks off from 5pm with registration & welcome drinks, followed by Cello Choir (orchestra) rehearsal. 7:30pm we have our exclusive private Retreat Welcome Dinner at Eudlo General Store (bookings essential).  Our Retreat wraps up with goodbye drinks on Sunday after our final Summer Concert - Classical Cellissimo! Join us! 

WHERE: Eudlo Hall, 19 Rosebed Street Hinterland Sunshine Coast (Gubbi Gubbi country) QLD.

WHAT:  3 full days immersion offering varied wellness and musical activities to create connection, continuum, challenge, and comfort.

WHO: 2026 retreat artists and instructors are:

• Louise King (Retreat Artistic Director, Cello Dreaming, Muses Trio, Long Listen Festival and ABC Classics recording artist. Graduate of Royal College and Royal Northern College of Music, UK, former member of BBC Philharmonic, Halle Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra)

• Rachel Johnston (former member of the Australian String Quartet and Tankstream Quartet, graduate of Juilliard School, London University, and Canterbury University (NZ), ABC Classics and Move Records Artist and non-classical contemporary genre specialist)

• Gyorgy Deri (Senior Lecturer Cello, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Brisbane Queensland) 

• Julia Janiszewski (Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Strings Teacher, Environmental Scientist) 

• Francesca Masel (Retreat Emerging Young Artist in Residence 2026 Graduate Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and QCGU Brisbane, AYO Alumni and UpBeat Camerata artist 2023).

• Lisa Pirlo (Pianist, Retreat Accompanist) 

• Sherab Holley (Strings Teacher, violinist, meditation teacher, naturopath) 

• Liz Page (Feldenkrais Embodied Awareness)

• Nienke Berghuis (sound therapist, yoga instructor & sound immersion workshops) 

SNAPSHOT DAILY ITINERARY:

• 8:00 Wellness Activity i.e. yoga, meditation or Feldenkrais method 

• 9:00 Technique Class

• 10:30 Morning Tea (included)

• 11:15 Cello Choir (sectionals and tutti rehearsals)

• 1:00 Lunch (BYO or local cafe gathering)

• 2:30 Masterclass (advanced cellists only)

• 4:00 Afternoon Tea (included)

• 4:00 Break Out Pods: Guided Chats, Journalling, Theory Cram, Jam Sessions, Chamber Music Try Outs. We have a range of rooms and local spaces to facilitate small group sessions.

• 5:00 Personal Time

• 5:30 Sound Check for Concert (retreat faculty & guest concert artists only)

• 6:00 Dinner (BYO or local restaurant options)

• 7:00 Summer Concert (retreat faculty & guest concert artists only)

FAQ are available HERE

REGISTRATION please sign up HERE

DINNER BOOKINGS Please make your reservation for our exclusive Retreat Welcome Dinner Thurs 9 January 2025 7:30pm $75pp HERE

ABOUT OUR FACULTY:

The faculty are generous practitioners who share tips and tricks, and open ways to learn a range of music from folk to jazz, tango, contemporary, improvisation, baroque to classical.

Our faculty include leaders in professional orchestras, contemporary folk, and chamber music practices, and specialists include practitioners in Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, yoga, meditation and Body Mapping.

We address the physical, social and mental wellbeing of students, aspiring musicians, music teachers and professional practitioners. We create supportive and safe sessions that empower you towards creative and personal freedom.

We show you how to care for your body and your mind, as well as how to manage your inner-critic, self-doubt, performance anxiety, and provide strategies and resources to deal with injury and encourage freedom of movement and thinking.

OUR PROGRAM:

• Cello Choir - AMEB Grade 3 to L MusA, classical to modern works including world premieres in 3, 4 or 5 parts.

• Morning Wellness Classes - yoga, meditation, Feldenkrais (Awareness Through Movement), and body mapping.

• Masterclasses with our guest faculty and Louise King Cello Dreaming.

• Workshops explore tools for playing in ensembles and groups, improvisation, goal setting and how and what to practice. 

• Technique Classes left hand – scales and arpeggios, right arm – bow strokes and articulation, studies – how to use them in your practice. 

• Public Summer Concert Series featuring our faculty with guest professional artists, emerging musicians, and support opening acts from our Retreat Community Friday 7pm, Saturday 7pm and Sunday 3:30pm. 

SUMMER CONCERTS:  Enjoy our Summer Concert Series on Friday Folk & Originals 7pm, Saturday Baroque & Tango 7pm, Sunday Classical Cellissimo! 3:30pm. For more info on artist line-up and to book concert tickets, please search concert title via Humanitix. Concerts are sold as separate events on this ticketing platform. If you purchase a full retreat package or day passes, concert tickets are bundled as part of your ticket.

YOUR RETREAT INVESTMENT: 

• Early bird full package tickets $885 are available until 5pm Monday 15th December 2025 or until SOLD OUT.  

• Full price package tickets $1,230 are then available until 5pm Monday 12th January 2026 or until SOLD OUT.

• Retreat Day Passes available $270 early bird, $385 full price or until SOLD OUT.

• Early bird tickets for individual classes and public concerts start at $35.

• Full price tickets for individual classes and public concerts start at $45. 

• Observer tickets for classes, workshops, and masterclasses start at $25.

JOIN US!  BOOK YOUR PLACE VIA OUR ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM HERE

ABOUT YOUR REGISTRATION:  

• Early bird registration and payment deadline is COB 5pm Monday 15th December 2025.  

• Full payment is due upon registration and booking.

• Book and pay for individual classes, activities and concerts via the ticketing link. 

• Our full retreat package covers all educational activities, public concerts, morning and afternoon tea refreshments during breaks from Thursday welcome drinks to closing event Sunday. 

• Lunches and dinners are BYO or can be purchased at Eudlo General Store or Sweethearts Cafe in Eudlo, walking distance from the hall. 

ACCOMMODATION: 

This is a non-residential retreat with all activities held in and around our small hall in Eudlo. Please support our local accommodation providers all tucked away within 20 minutes drive radius. Providers range from Air BnB’s, bed and breakfasts and boutique cute cabins.

This retreat creates vital cultural tourism and activates our local community and supports small businesses. Please look online and connect with other cellists to book air BnB’s as a group.

If you would like to request a local billet with other adult learner participants on the retreat, please email your request to Louise. We can’t guarantee billets are available but will put a request out through our student and community music network.

ABOUT OUR RETREAT

The Cello Dreaming Summer Intensive Retreat redesigns how music is shared, taught, experienced and practiced. Our retreat stands out as a highly focused and immersive musical experience designed specifically for cellists, held annually in the serene setting of Eudlo, Queensland, each January. 

The retreat offers participants a rare opportunity to work closely with renowned cellist and educator Louise King, with a curated guest faculty in an intimate and supportive environment that fosters both artistic growth and personal development.

We offer an inspiring retreat designed to create space to pause, explore and refresh through community exchange and powerful learning.  

The intensive program offers something for every cellist and meets musicians at any level from established beginner students to professional players, emerging artists, community practitioners and instrumental teachers seeking inspiration for their teaching year ahead.  

We offer a mixture of opportunities for cellists to deepen their knowledge from masterclasses, skill enrichment workshops and classes led by a unique community of internationally acclaimed musicians, teaching artists and holistic practitioners that explore a range of skills relevant to the modern musician from the physical to the intellectual and spiritual.  

The retreat is designed to deepen your approach to practice, improve your musical knowledge and technical skills.  

Our retreat is unique and one-of-a kind program in Australia, and New Zealand. It attracts participants from across the country from talented young musicians looking for excellent intensive summer school programs, to dedicated amateurs and professional artists seeking inspiration, insight, community and creative freedom.  Join us. 

Our key points of difference include:

• Personalized Instruction: The retreat emphasizes small group settings, allowing for personalized attention, tailored feedback, and coaching with a range of experienced mentors.

• Holistic Approach: Beyond technical mastery, the retreat integrates aspects of mindfulness, relaxation, and physical awareness, helping cellists focus on both mental and physical well-being.

• Performance Opportunities: Participants are given opportunities to perform and collaborate with other cellists, building confidence and stage presence in a nurturing atmosphere.

• Stunning Location: Eudlo’s natural surroundings provide a peaceful, inspirational backdrop that encourages creativity and focus away from the distractions of daily life.

• Diverse Repertoire and Techniques: The retreat covers a wide range of cello repertoire and techniques, encouraging both classical and contemporary approaches, with emphasis on developing individual expression.

This combination of focused artistic instruction and personal well-being makes the Cello Dreaming Summer Intensive Retreat a unique offering in the Australian landscape of retreats and summer schools.  

Learning experiences are with an international faculty of musicians and include Cello Choir, Technique Bootcamps, Workshops, Masterclasses, Creative Classes, and wellness activities such as meditation. Feldenkrais and yoga.