An Intensive for Intermediate and Advanced students!
Improve your playing immersed in ensemble Jams, Master Classes, Q&As, and Jamming with the Pros!
Improve your playing immersed in ensemble Jams, Master Classes, Q&As, and Jamming with the Pros!
RPM's Summer Jazz Intensive delivers a concentrated, high-impact residency for jazz performers ready to elevate their craft. Whether you are a professional seeking to deepen your artistry or an ambitious amateur ready to master the art of the jam, this intensive weekend is designed for you. The retreat includes performance practice, listening comprehension, improvisation, and professional recording techniques.
This workshop is for musicians 18 and older* performing on all instruments (bass, drums, piano, guitar, horns, vocals, etc. ) This program is limited to 10 artists in order to provide concentrated mentoring and instruction to participants. This holistic experience blends rigorous practice and study with genuine camaraderie. You can count on having a great time while achieving the following:
This workshop is for musicians 18 and older* performing on all instruments (bass, drums, piano, guitar, horns, vocals, etc. ) This program is limited to 10 artists in order to provide concentrated mentoring and instruction to participants. This holistic experience blends rigorous practice and study with genuine camaraderie. You can count on having a great time while achieving the following:
- A renewed sense of excitement and inspiration for your musical journey
- Lots of playing and learning
- New friendships with like-minded musicians
- Noticeable improvement on your instrument
*(students under 18 may be eligible upon review. Please contact us about details)
Meet Your Instructors
Bill Carrothers - PianoBill Carrothers is a world-renowned jazz pianist who has graced the stages of the Village Vanguard, Birdland, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. With over 30 acclaimed recordings and honors such as the French Victoires du Jazz, his collaborator list reads like a "Who's Who" of jazz history, including icons like Prince, Freddie Hubbard, and Gary Peacock. Since 2011, Bill has launched the careers of young jazz performers as a faculty member of the prestigious school of music at Lawrence University.
More about Bill |
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Jerry Younce - GuitarJerry is a versatile guitarist and veteran performer known for his work with the Copper Cats, the stage band for The Red Jacket Jamboree and performs regularly with his son Ryan Younce in Younce Guitar Duo, an acoustic improvisational band which blends jazz, fusion, Celtic and other world music. Jerry brings over 30 years of professional expertise across multiple genres of music to help guide your technical development. He is regularly lauded by vocalists and musicians alike for being 'so easy to work with.'
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Devin Drobka - PercussionFor the past 15 years, Devin Drobka has been one of the most in demand and creative musicians in the Midwest. A deep love of jazz, metal, folk, hip-hop, ambient, idm, and classical music has helped shaped Devin’s unique voice and vision on the drums both as a leader and as a sideman. His highly personal and creative drumming can be heard within the realm of jazz having performed with Greg Osby, Jerry Bergonzi, Dayna Stephens, and Joe Lovano as well as indie- folk bands like Field Report and indie rappers R.A.P. Ferreira and Serengeti. Devin can be heard on over 50 albums of genre bending, original music.
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Clay Schaub- BassClay is on the faculty at the Milwaukee Jazz Institute and author of How to Build Walking Bass Lines in 14 Days- a method book for beginning jazz bassists. As a featured artist for Origin Records, he performs over 300 concerts per year, making him one of the most sought after bassists in the Midwest.
Before relocating to Milwaukee with his wife and children, Clay worked for years in the New York City jazz scene and has performed regularly with Russ Johnson, Geof Bradfield, Michael Kanan, Steve Ash, Greg Ruggiero, Gregory Tardy, David Bixler, Pamela York, Eric Jacobson, and Bruce Barth among others. |
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Pre-Intensive
There will be a "Zoom Session" meet and greet with participants with RPM's Executive Director prior to the intensive to answer any further questions about the program.
There will be a "Zoom Session" meet and greet with participants with RPM's Executive Director prior to the intensive to answer any further questions about the program.
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The Venue: OMI and Opisto Theatre at Suomi OpistoYour retreat home is "Old Main," a stunning historic landmark in downtown Hancock erected in 1900 as Suomi Opisto (Finnish College}. Recently repurposed for events along with the Opisto Theatre,(formerly the Chapel of St. Matthew) the complex features two professional performance spaces, each housing a concert grand piano. Guests enjoy private, historic dorm-style lodging within walking distance to local galleries and cafes.
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The Schedule:
- Thursday: Registration and welcome reception, followed by an opening jam with instructors.
- Friday & Saturday: A deep dive into breakout sessions, masterclasses with instructors, and "Wake Up Well" priming exercises. Saturday night features a high-profile public concert.
- Sunday: Final mentorship meetings, participant performances, and departing reflections.
Intensive Schedule (This is the template - Instructors may amend this schedule to suit the needs of students)
- 5:30- 7:30pm: Registration and Check-In
- 7:30pm – Welcome and overview by RPM Executive Director
- 7:30-8:30pm Meet and Greet with appetizers.
- 8:30 –10:00pm Jam with Instructors and participants.
- 7:30-8:15am Breakfast and Coffee Service
- 8:15-9:00am – Wake up Well – gentle exercises/yoga to help you perform at your peak.
- 9:15–10:30am – Breakout Sessions
Jerry Younce and Devin (session a participants)
Bill Carrothers and Clay (session b participants) - 10:30 – 11:45am Masterclass w/ Bill Carrothers
- 1;00-1:30pm –Priming Exercises to perform at your peak
- 1:45 – 3:00pm -Break out Classes
Jerry Younce and Devin (session b participants)
- 3:30-4:45pm Masterclass
- 5:00- 5:45pm – individual practice or free time
- Friday - 7:30- 9:00pm Concert with instructors - Evening Jam Session with Students and Instructors
- Friday – 9:00 – 10:00pm Listening party with Instructors
- Saturday – 7:30-9pm – Public Concert
10:00-11:00pm – Campfire – night sky viewing.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
7:30-8:15 AM Breakfast and Coffee Service
- 8:30-9:00am – Wake up Well – gentle exercises to help you perform at your peak.
- 9:15 – 10:30 – Meet with mentor
- 10:30 – 11:45 AM Performances by retreat participants.
- Noon – 12:30pm Departing comments.
Intensive fee. $1,275
Lodging at Old Main $255 plus applicable taxes
(Lodging is to be booked through venue.)
The intensive include the following meals and snacks:
Thursday night meet and greet reception and appetizers.
Friday – Sunday: Continental breakfast
Friday and Saturday: Coffee, tea, water, snack breaks, box lunch
*Pricing does not include Dinner on Friday and Saturday. Participants can grab food either at several local restaurants or from the co-op across the street. Participants will have access to kitchen facilities. There are also several coffee shops within walking distance.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 enrollment fee is required to hold your place in the class.
If the minimal class size is not reached by June 1st, RPM will notify participants asap and refund deposit fees.
In the case that an individual instructor is unable to attend the workshop – for reasons beyond their control (sickness, death, natural disaster, etc.) Real People Media will attempt to find a substitute instructor with similar credentials. There will be a minimum of 2 instructors present.
Register Now! No payment necessary at this time.
