August 26, 2012 - September 02, 2012

Registration is now open to study with the master guitarists and teachers from around the world who will gather in Bigfork, Montana on August 26 through September 2, 2012, for the third annual Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop and Festival.

Celebrating the love of the guitar and magical splendor of Montana, the weeklong event is held at the stunning lakeshore resort of Flathead Lake Lodge. The workshop offers students a chance to learn from nationally and internationally renowned artists and master teachers in an inspirational setting among the grandeur of the Northern Rockies and Glacier National Park.

Incorporated into the week’s activities will be a festival that includes evening events with the guest artists and teachers. Five of the events will be open to the public with details to be announced on the organization’s website in February of 2012.

As the 2011 workshop sold out, 90 slots are available this year for 11 workshops in 7 guitar genres: jazz and blues for both intermediate and advanced students, classic rock, classical, singer-songwriter, acoustic and beginner. New this year is a workshop for bass players. In addition, clinics will be offered for guitarists to work with master piano, drum and rhythm players to enhance their ensemble performance skills.

Early registration is advised with a pre-registration discount of $250 offered through March 30, 2012. Alumni returning to the workshop receive a $150 discount if purchased by January 31, 2012. Register on the website or by calling (800) 234-6479 or (406) 837-2574.

A scholarship program will also be available with details announced later in spring of 2012 on the organization’s website.

“We are very excited to be building on the wonderful arts culture in the Flathead Valley to bring this world class annual event to Bigfork.  The Foundation’s mission is to establish the area as an international center for guitar study, performance and composition,” said David Feffer, COC Guitar Foundation board chair and founding director.

A star-studded group of Artists-in-Residence is being scheduled for the workshop. Confirmed so far is legendary jazz master Lee Ritenour, who returns for his third year. A Grammy award winner, Lee is one of the true multi-stylist guitarists (jazz, rock and blues). He has recorded over 40 albums with 35 chart hits. During the week of the workshop, he will host the world finals of the Lee Ritenour/Yamaha Six String Theory International Guitar Competition featuring six finalists from around the world vying for the Grand Prize.

Also confirmed is Julian Lage, considered to be one of the hottest up-and-coming jazz masters. Julian also brings his drummer Tupac Mantilla and bassist Jorge Roeder to teach and perform. A former child prodigy, Julian’s talent led him to be the subject of the 1997 Academy Award-nominated documentary Jules at Eight. At age 13, Lage performed at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Classically trained, he has been a faculty member at the Stanford Jazz Workshop at Stanford University since age 15.

This year’s classical guitar "Artist in Residence" will be Dennis Koster. Truly a unique musician, Koster is one of the few in the world considered to be a master of both classical and flamenco (the gypsy music of Spain) guitar. During his evening performance, Dennis will perform music from both genres. Students attending his workshop will have the rare opportunity to enhance their knowledge of classical guitar and learn some of the fundamentals of flamenco guitar (techniques, rhythms and forms) to aid their overall playing and improve their understanding of Spanish guitar music. Dennis is the author of the internationally best-selling three-volume method book, “Keys to Flamenco Guitar.”

Completing the faculty will be some of the nation's best guitar instructors drawn from the National Guitar Workshop and additional artists in residence will be announced as they are confirmed.

The workshop and festival stand out not only for its stunning location near Glacier National Park, but also for the caliber of the teachers involved and the personalized time spent learning, jamming, and talking about their shared passion for guitars and guitar music.

ABOUT THE CROWN OF THE CONTINENT GUITAR FOUNDATION

Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation celebrates the love of the guitar and the magical splendor of Montana. The Foundation provides scholarships for students and collaborates with other non-profit organizations including: The Glacier Park Fund, Montana Public Radio and Public Broadcasting, The Montana Land Reliance, North Valley Music School and Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center. The workshop is a perfect opportunity for drawing inspiration, perfecting technique and deepening one's passion for the guitar and music. visit www.cocguitarfoundation.org

Music

Held in the family friendly accommodations of the beautiful Flathead Lake Lodge the workshop participants have easy access to hiking, biking, rafting, fishing, and gallery tour activities unique to the Flathead Valley and the Crown of the Continent region. A watercolor workshop taught by renowned western artist Nancy Cawdrey is also scheduled for family members during the week.