Masterclass Information

Wildacres is a mountain retreat off the Blue Ridge Parkway approximately 65 miles north of Asheville, North Carolina. It provides seclusion with modern facilities, making it an ideal location to concentrate on music, cultivate lasting friendships and appreciate the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains.

Wildacres Flute Retreat combines an informal, non-competitive and supportive atmosphere with teaching, performance, and artistic standards of the highest caliber. The staff is committed to each participant's experience being both enjoyable and educational.

Tuition - Ways to Attend

Masterclasses

Performers ($685) are selected through recorded audition and perform twice in the baroque class, or once for each master teacher. Silver flute, traverso, and recorder players are welcome in the baroque class. Performers may perform on afternoon recitals.

Performer-Participants ($660) are selected through recorded audition and perform once in class for Göran Marcusson and receive one private lesson with a member of the faculty, or perform once in the Baroque class and receive one private lesson from Amara Guitry or Kathie Stewart. Silver flute, traverso, and recorder players are welcome in the Baroque class. Performer-participants may perform on afternoon recitals.

Auditions submitted for performer & performer-participant status should include:

• Marcusson class - one study from Moyse - 24 Little Melodic Studies and one solo piece.
• Baroque class - one selection of J.S. Bach and one 18th- or 19th-century solo piece.

Audition CDs, mp3s, or YouTube videos are due March 1, 2026 or until the classes are filled. You will hear back from us by March 10.

Participants ($635) attend all classes (Marcusson and/or Baroque), receive one private lesson with a member of the faculty, attend technique classes, and may perform on afternoon recitals.

Auditors ($560) may observe all classes (Marcusson or Baroque) and attend afternoon recitals.

Daily Auditors are welcome. The first session is free of charge. After that the cost is $50 per masterclass session.  Just show up. You may observe 30 minutes of an Afternoon Option Class and the 5:00 PM recitals at no additional cost. You will need to find accommodations off-site.

Afternoon Add-on Options:

Session I (1:30-3:00)

• Body Mapping with Rhonda Cassano ($145)
• Intermediate Flute Repair with Joy Sears ($145)
• Traverso Chamber Music with Amara Guitry ($145)

Session II (3:15-4:45)

• Flute Choir with Nora Kile ($145)
• Beginning Flute Repair with Joy Sears ($145)
• Effective Performing with Gitte Marcusson ($120)

Other afternoon sessions:

• Traverso Test Drive (TBA) ($145)
• Mock Orchestral Auditions - Wednesday after lunch - ($100)
• Introduction to the Baroque Recorder with Kathie Stewart ($100)

Daily Schedule

7:30: Wake-up Bell
8:00: Breakfast
9:00: Technique Class & Warmup
9:30-12:30: Masterclasses
12:30: Lunch
1:30-3:00: Afternoon Option I
3:15-4:45: Afternoon Option II
5:00-6:00: Recital
6:15: Dinner
7:30-10:30: Masterclasses

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