Allenberry Acoustic Guitar Retreat 2026 - featuring Peppino D'Agostino
Description
Mansion Concerts Inc. (Harrisburg, PA) is presenting its very first acoustic guitar retreat, featuring Peppino D'Agostino, November 16–20, 2026, and we're looking for a small number of interested students to join us for our inaugural retreat. Please read below to get a better sense of what we have planned and whether this retreat might be a good fit for you.
But first — when was the last time you took three days just to play guitar, learn something new, meet some interesting people, and enjoy the instrument the way you did when you first started playing? That's what we have in mind for the Allenberry Acoustic Guitar Retreat. If you love acoustic guitar and would like to become a little better at it — while spending a few days with people who enjoy the same thing — you should feel very much at home here.
The beautiful Allenberry Resort and the time between classes will be a big part of the experience too — sharing meals, talking music, playing guitar and listening to others play. Come to Allenberry with your guitar, and we hope you'll leave three days later playing a little better, knowing a little more, having made some new friends — and feeling glad that you came.
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In spite of the suggested Monday night check-in and Friday morning check-out, this retreat will be an immersive 3-day instructional retreat at one of central Pennsylvania's most beautiful and luxurious resorts. For three days starting the morning of November 17th and extending through the evening of Thursday, November 19th, students will learn from one of the world's finest guitarists, Peppino D'Agostino. Class time, tree/free time, and one-on-one instructional opportunities will fill your days at the Allenberry.
REGISTRATION FEES (paid before September 30, 2026)
Tuition & Meals -- $1,275 per student – all instruction and meals
Overnight accommodation - $145 plus 6% tax paid by and upgradable by the student)
Spouse/Partner - $400 per student spouse – all food and all gatherings
All tuition & meals fees associated with the Retreat shall be paid online in advance (or in person directly to Mansion Concerts Inc.) before October 1, 2026.
Overnight accommodations/room reservations are to be made by the student directly with The Allenberry.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE & NOTE ABOUT REFUNDS:
Please register before October 1, 2026. Because this is our first year, we will need to register at least 10 students before 10/1/26 for it to be viable. Otherwise, we may decide to proceed with fewer than 10 students or cancel the retreat and refund all fees. Mansion Concerts Inc. will announce any cancellation on or before October 15, 2026. If the retreat is cancelled, ALL FEES FOR TUITION, MEALS AND ROOM WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL. If the Retreat is not cancelled, Mansion Concerts Inc. will make a nonrefundable down payment to Allenberry to proceed with the camp.
HOUSING: We have secured 12 rooms for students (single/king bed occupancy) at the group rate of $145 in The Stone Lodge. Registered students must secure their overnight room in the Stone Lodge directly with the Allenberry Resort. Students may upgrade their accommodation by reviewing the other opportunities directly with Allenberry. Housing fees are paid directly by students to Allenberry, subject to Allenberry’s refund policy. https://allenberry.com/
Other housing options – students are encouraged to be on campus 24/7, but other options can be developed (speak to Tim Alexander, 717-418-9670)
Expected maximum student capacity of the camp – We have secured a room block for 12 students and 12 spouses/partners (private suite/Single occupancy/King Bed/climate-controlled/private bathroom). Coffee/tea service in room/self-service; camp administrators will be on call for evening emergencies only. If demand for this Retreat requires it, we may be able to expand our capacity in a second overnight lodge – to be determined by Mansion Concerts Inc.
Special needs/ADA – first-floor rooms will be assigned for those who have trouble with stairs or hills. The Allenberry staff provides campus golf cart service for cross-campus needs on demand. The dormitories are not ADA-compliant, but the private bathrooms have grab bars in showers – all rooms have a King Bed except for 2 rooms in the Pine Lodge with 2 queens, which can be secured separately by students.
Meals -- All continental breakfasts will be delivered and served in the Stone Lodge lobby. All lunches and dinners will be served in The Cellar/Patio (Fairfield Lodge lower level – under The Barn).
Skill level of students – all students are asked to self-identify their fingerstyle acoustic guitar skills as 1) inexperienced, 2) experienced/intermediate, and 3) advanced. Feel free to email Peppino directly with a short video or audio recording before camp to assess your skill set. Let us know if you are using special guitar tunings or techniques and whether these have helped or hindered your creativity with your music. Are you a flat picker? Are you a fingerpicker? Are you a songwriter? Do you prefer to compose or arrange?
Philosophy -- No one will be treated as a beginner nor as an expert. We will all learn from one another: students from teachers, teachers from students, and often, students from students. Please bring at least one unfinished song, tune, or arrangement that you would like special one-on-one instructional attention. Our goal will be to help you understand and develop concrete practice strategies for you (during and after camp) that will help you feel more comfortable with your instrument and the music you want to play. This camp is designed as the safest possible place for you to share your music, express your ideas, and develop your craft. We will all be here to share ideas. Let’s discover each other’s approach to guitar and then decide if it can apply to our own music.
Performance - We love to hear students perform, but we also understand the anxiety that can be associated with performance. And we’ll talk about this honestly, sharing our own struggles with performance anxiety, and then try to understand the normal and healthy physical and psychological responses that we all experience.
What do you want to learn or get out of this camp? Finally, when you register (and then after you’ve registered), you will be asked to email Peppino an overview of your musical interests and learning objectives for this camp. If you take the time to send us this, we will do our best to adjust one-on-one instructional sessions. With just 12 students, we will provide ample one-on-one opportunities.
This is our first year – We want this first year’s Retreat to lead into the next. So, we are pulling out all stops to make this a great experience and one that you (and others) can look forward to in the future. We may have the ability to grow this camp, but the facility we’ve chosen will not allow a doubling or tripling in attendance year over year. Just like the house concerts hosted by Mansion Concerts Inc., “bigger” is not always better and “more” is not always best. Please support our first year, and you will forever be in a special club
/Peppino D’Agostino/
https://www.peppinodagostino.com/
Allenberry Acoustic Guitar Retreat Coordinator
Production of Mansion Concerts Inc. - www.mansionconcert.com
Retreat Coordinator – Peppino D’Agostino (PDA) and other instructors as needed TBD
Administrative Support – Tim and Polly Alexander (Mansion Concerts Inc. - MCI)
Gallery
Description
Why attend the first Allenberry Acoustic Guitar Retreat 2026?
There are moments in a musician’s life when stepping away from the routine—away from the noise, the clock, and even our own habits—can open the door to something new. The Allenberry Acoustic Guitar Retreat is designed to be one of those moments. Over three immersive days (and four relaxed evenings), a small circle of guitarists will gather under the guidance of Peppino D'Agostino to explore not just technique, but musical expression, creativity, and the deeper art of listening.
This is not a typical workshop. With enrollment limited to 16, the retreat offers a rare chance for meaningful, one-on-one engagement with world-class instruction. Whether you are an experienced player refining your voice or someone earlier in your journey seeking direction and confidence, the structure of the retreat is designed to meet you where you are. There are no labels here—no “beginner” or “advanced”—only musicians learning from one another in a setting built on respect, curiosity, and shared discovery.
At the heart of the experience is time—time to play, time to listen, and time to work closely with Peppino and fellow instructors in small, focused sessions. Participants are encouraged to bring an unfinished piece, a musical idea, or even a question they’ve never quite resolved. The goal is not perfection, but progress: to leave with clearer practice strategies, renewed inspiration, and a deeper connection to your instrument and your music.
The setting plays an equally important role. Nestled along the Yellow Breeches Creek in Boiling Springs, the Allenberry Resort offers a uniquely peaceful and restorative environment. Participants will stay in the Stone Lodge, enjoy shared meals in the resort’s welcoming dining spaces, and move easily across the campus between sessions, gatherings, and quiet moments of reflection. It’s a place where conversations linger, ideas take shape naturally, and music feels at home.
Just as important as the instruction is the atmosphere. This retreat is intentionally scheduled for the week before Thanksgiving—a time when the pace of life begins to soften, but before the obligations of the holiday fully arrive. It is an invitation to pause, to recharge, and to spend a few days in the company of like-minded musicians in a setting that values both excellence and ease. Evenings are relaxed and social, with informal playing, conversation, and the kind of spontaneous moments that often become the most memorable part of the experience.
For spouses or partners, the retreat offers a welcoming parallel experience, with access to meals, gatherings, and the natural beauty of the Allenberry grounds. And for participants, the small size of the group ensures that every voice is heard, every question can be asked, and every musician has space to grow.
This is our first year offering the Allenberry Acoustic Guitar Retreat, and we are committed to making it something truly special—an experience that feels both personal and lasting. Like the house concerts that inspired it, this gathering is built on the idea that smaller can be better, that listening matters, and that music is best shared in an environment of attention and care.
We hope you will consider joining us for what promises to be a memorable and meaningful few days.
Tim and Polly Alexander, Founders
Mansion Concerts Inc. (a PA-based, 501©3 Non-Profit Organization)
Email Tim to learn more à tim.alexander@live.com
FAQs
- Your Retreat Coordinator -- Peppino D'Agostino
PEPPINO D'AGOSTINO
A young Sicilian artist left Italy over 30 years ago, with the dream of “playing with the greatest guitarists”. Peppino has achieved his dream and he’s now firmly planted in the “who’s who” of the guitar world.
Peppino D’Agostino emerged on the acoustic guitar scene in the early 80’s as a leading member of the second wave of the great fingerstylists that helped redefine the instrument in the ’90s. His remarkable technique, penchant for open tunings, and percussive effects are the basis of his unique compositional style which has been inspiring musicians and audiences alike for decades. Add to that his natural warmth, playfulness, and broad musical tastes and you have the recipe for what he calls “minestrone music”. His virtuosity and his emotional charge have also had a significant influence on the younger generation of fingerstyle guitarists. D’Agostino continues to evolve and grow in ways that would have been hard to predict when he first showcased his melodic yet emotionally intense style on the recordings Acoustic Spirit, Close to the Heart, and Every Step of the Way, which was named one of the top three acoustic guitar albums of all time by Acoustic Guitar magazine readers.
D’Agostino has performed in more than 30 countries, at prestigious international festivals, and has played in some of the world’s most important theaters. He has shared the stage with Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Laurindo Almeida, Sergio Assad, Larry Carlton, and Eric Johnson, to name a few. His solo recordings include high-quality labels such as Favored Nations, Mesa/Bluemoon, and Acoustic Music Records. Recognized as “the guitarist’s guitarist” by Acoustic Guitar magazine and described as “a giant of the acoustic guitar” by the San Diego Reader, D’Agostino was voted Best Acoustic Guitarist by readers of Guitar Player magazine. An active member of the Pacific Guitar Ensemble, Peppino has collaborated and recorded with the classical guitarist David Tanenbaum (chair of the classical guitar at the Conservatory of San Francisco), Jeff Campitelli (considered one of the 100 greatest drummers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine) and the legendary Paraguayan harpist and violinist Carlos Reyes, among many others. D’Agostino’s composition “Stammi Vicino,” written with electric guitarist Stef Burns and Italian rock star Vasco Rossi, reached number one in the iTunes rock charts in Italy.
D’Agostino’s simultaneous immersion in the classical guitar and rock worlds has culminated in his most recent solo recording, Penumbra, a mix of sophisticated yet melodic compositions that are technically complex. Released by Mesa/Bluemoon, Penumbra includes two compositions written for D’Agostino by Latin Grammy Award winner and classical guitar legend Sergio Assad, as well as original compositions by three great contemporary classical guitarists: Roland Dyens, Maurizio Colonna and Gyan Riley. You could arguably say that D’Agostino is the missing link between the Classical and the Acoustic guitar.
Recently, Peppino had his very first sold-out tour in China and a soundtrack composed for the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.
In addition to performing, D’Agostino also makes time to teach. He enjoys meeting with individual students as well as providing group instruction and vacation learning packages like the Acoustic Guitar Cruises, Creative Vacances in La Moreau, France, or teaching with legendary guitarist Martin Taylor. The leading online instruction company Truefire has released a series of videos in which D’Agostino explains his influential guitar techniques and approach to composition. Peppino, when not performing or teaching, also has fun writing musical licks for new versions of games such as Sims, a product of Electronic Arts, or Dragons of Atlantis for Kabam.
Peppino likes to compare his musical approach to the culinary art of his native Italy: “If you want to prepare a good, succulent dish you have to know how to mix the various ingredients and, most important, have knowledge of the right amounts. Similarly, in musical composition, you must be able to properly combine melody, harmony, rhythm, and percussive effects with discretion and elegance.”
People never know what to expect at his concerts. Peppino’s repertoire is always changing, adapting to the rapport he establishes with his audience. His live performances, a combination of beautiful, complex, up-tempo original instrumentals, memorable arrangements, and engaging songs, are beautifully addictive.
Peppino never disappoints, opening new musical doors with his loved and award-winning Seagull signature model guitar. His hands are constantly searching, experimenting, and his original music and songs taking his audiences to ever-expanding heights.
DISCOGRAPHY https://www.peppinodagostino.com/discography
Acoustic Spirit (Shanachie, 1986)
Sparks (Shanachie, 1988)
Close to the Heart (Mesa, 1993)
Venus over Venice (Mesa/Bluemoon, 1995)
A Glimpse of Times Past (Acoustic Music Records, 1998)
Classic/Steel with David Tanenbaum (2001)
Every Step of the Way (Favored Nations, 2002)
Bayshore Road with Stef Burns (Favored Nations, 2005)
International Guitar Night with Antoine Dufour (Pacific Music, 2006)
Made in Italy (2008)
Nine White Kites (2010)
Begin with Pacific Guitar Ensemble (2012)
Penumbra (2014)
For the Beauty of This Wicked World with Corrado Rustici (2019)
Connexion (2020)
Calm the Stor, (2026)
- And ....Pennsylvania's Very Own -- Kevin Neidig
KEVIN NEIDIG (Native of Central Pennsylvania and a recognized, award-winning guitarist living in our backyard)
BIOGRAPHY
2024 MASC (Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest) First place Bluegrass/Country song
2024 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association Picking for the Prize Flatpicking Champion
Winner of the CPHOF Best Americana Artist 2023 Award & 2023 Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Emerging Artist.
A native of Mechanicsburg, PA, Kevin Neidig is an award-winning Americana singer/songwriter/composer multi-instrumentalist whose sound mixes elements of Darrell Scott, Tim O’Brien, Bela Fleck, Tony Rice, and other like artists. He likes to call his style “Folkgrass for the Critical Thinker.”
His latest album Writing with Fire can be found on his website www.kevinneidig.com as well as the latest EP “The Farm Sessions Vol 1.” Kevin also teaches a wide range of instruments online through zoom, has a monthly online Guitar Warm Up Program (GWUP) and has published music books on Amazon and has an online guitar course on Soundslice called “Riff Monkey.”
Kevin is a versatile musician who combines the virtuosity of a singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter with eloquent effortlessness. His nimble fingers execute a fretboard with a spider weaving geometry, projecting tenderness, mystery, exuberance, and wit. His honed, flexible vocals are at ease with old-as-the-hills bluegrass and pop numbers, with an impressive range and clear, powerful, emotive voice. Kevin's songwriting approach presents a different perspective, using intricate timing, ingenuity with keys and tempos, and a dizzying chord contortion. His lush, tuneful journeys are not to be missed.
Kevin has been teaching guitar since he was 14 years old, and it shows—his workshops are equal parts deep dive and good time. Whether you’re working on flatpicking, rhythm, improvisation, or breaking out of a creative rut, Kevin focuses on practical tools you can actually use. He teaches students of all levels through lessons, workshops, and his monthly Guitar Warm-Up Program (GWUP), and he is also the creator of instructional books and courses, including a Soundslice course called “Riff Monkey.” He’s known for making complex ideas click without making your brain hurt.
Discography https://kevinneidig.com/about#discography
Kevin Neidig & Henry Koretzky with Aaron Blouin 2024
Kevin Neidig--The Farm Sessions Vol. 1 2022
Kevin Neidig--Writing with Fire 2021
Kevin Neidig--The Long Road 2018
Kevin Neidig--Moon 2017
Kevin Neidig--I've Been There 2012
Kevin Neidig--Only Me 2009
Kevin Neidig--In Lak'ech' 2008
Kevin Neidig--Chronomantria-The Alchemy of Time 2006
Kevin Neidig—Abstract and to the Point 2006
Kevin Neidig—Color Breathing Meditation 2005
Kevin Neidig—Yahweh Meditation 2005
Voxology—Someday Soon 2003
Voxology—Under the Covers 2001
Voxology—Voxology 1999
Junk—Grab your Junk 1997
Inursha—Uncalibrated Parameters 1996
Inursha—No Patience at 95 Degrees 1994
- Other Information -- health related, travel and things to do away from the retreat
1. Proximity to Hospital / Health Services
The closest full-service hospital is UPMC Carlisle, approximately 10–15 minutes from Allenberry, with 24/7 emergency services and comprehensive care. A second strong option is Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, about 25–30 minutes away. These facilities ensure quick access to care if needed during the retreat.
Direct Google Maps link (backup): https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Allenberry+Resort,+1559+Boiling+Springs+Rd,+Boiling+Springs,+PA/UPMC+Carlisle
2. Proximity to Airports
The most convenient airport is Harrisburg International Airport, located about 30–40 minutes from Allenberry. It offers regular service via major airlines and is the preferred arrival point for most guests. Larger airport options include BWI and Dulles (90–120 minutes), but Harrisburg provides the easiest and most direct access.
Direct Google Maps directions:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Allenberry+Resort,+Boiling+Springs,+PA/Harrisburg+International+Airport
3. Proximity to Highways / Directions
Allenberry is ideally situated near Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 15, providing easy north–south access across the Mid-Atlantic. From I-81, guests typically exit near Carlisle and connect via local roads (PA-74 / PA-174). From Route 15, access is equally straightforward via Lisburn Road and PA-174 into Boiling Springs. The final approach brings you directly into the quiet village setting that defines the retreat experience.
Direct Google Maps link to Allenberry (enter from anywhere):
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Allenberry+Resort+Boiling+Springs+PA
4. Things to Do for Spouses / Partners
Spouses and partners will find plenty to enjoy both on and off campus. The Allenberry Resort offers spa services, scenic walking paths, creekside relaxation along the Yellow Breeches, and casual dining—all within a peaceful, self-contained setting. The property itself invites quiet exploration, reading, and conversation.
Just steps away, the village connects directly to the Appalachian Trail, including the picturesque Children’s Lake loop—one of the most charming and accessible sections of the trail. Nearby Carlisle also offers shops, cafés, and galleries for a relaxed afternoon outing.
Direct walking directions to Appalachian Trail access:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Allenberry+Resort,+Boiling+Springs,+PA/Children's+Lake,+Boiling+Springs,+PA
- What does the day-to-day schedule expect look like?
Monday, November 16, 2026
CHECK-IN DAY
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Check-in at Fairfield Front Desk - The Stone Lodge
The Cellar
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Pizza at the Stone Lodge
Stone Lodge
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Gathering and Opening Remarks from PDA
Stone Lodge
8:30 PM
FREE TIME / TREE TIME
Stone Lodge
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
DAY ONE
7:30 - 8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast
Stone Lodge
9:00 - 10:15
General Session I
The Cellar
10:30 - Noon
1 on 1 Lesson Time - Breakout (Group A) - (Group B)
The Cellar
Noon - 1:30 PM
Lunch
The Barn
2:00 - 3:15 PM
General Session III
The Cellar
3:30 - 5:00 PM
1 on 1 Lesson Time - Breakout (Group A) - (Group B)
The Cellar
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Dinner
The Barn
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Faculty Demonstration and Student Performance
The Cellar/Patio
8:30 PM
FREE TIME / TREE TIME / 1 on 1 TIME
Stone Lodge
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
DAY TWO
7:30 - 8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast
Stone Lodge
9:00 - 10:15
General Session I
The Cellar
10:30 - Noon
1 on 1 Lesson Time - Breakout (Group A) - (Group B)
The Cellar
Noon - 1:30 PM
Lunch
The Barn
2:00 - 3:15 PM
General Session III
The Cellar
3:30 - 5:00 PM
1 on 1 Lesson Time - Breakout (Group A) - (Group B)
The Cellar
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Dinner
The Barn
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Faculty Demonstration and Student Performance
The Cellar/Patio
8:30 PM
FREE TIME / TREE TIME / 1 on 1 TIME
Stone Lodge
Thursday, November 19, 2026
DAY TWO
7:30 - 8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast
Stone Lodge
9:00 - 10:15
General Session I
The Cellar
10:30 - Noon
1 on 1 Lesson Time - Breakout (Group A) - (Group B)
The Cellar
Noon - 1:30 PM
Lunch
The Barn
2:00 - 3:15 PM
General Session III
The Cellar
3:30 - 5:00 PM
1 on 1 Lesson Time - Breakout (Group A) - (Group B)
The Cellar
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Dinner
The Barn
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Faculty Demonstration and Student Performance
The Cellar/Patio
8:30 PM
FREE TIME / TREE TIME / 1 on 1 TIME
Stone Lodge
Friday, November 20, 2026
CHECK OUT DAY
7:30 - 8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast
Stone Lodge
9:00 AM
Departure and Closing Remarks from PDA
Stone Lodge
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