Vermont Songwriting Retreat
A private creative retreat for songwriters — limited to just 3 people, with one-on-one songwriting sessions with Chad Hollister in the heart of Vermont.
The Experience
Experience the magic of the Green Mountains — where every sunrise, every quiet porch, and every note brings you closer to your song. This is your creative escape, your chance to write something real and lasting with a guide who's spent 35+ years on stages from listening rooms to arenas.
This isn't a crowded workshop or a lecture series. It's a personal songwriting journey — strictly limited to 3 songwriters, each working one-on-one with Chad Hollister to uncover, shape, and bring to life the song inside you.
Whether it's a love letter, a story from your life, or a tune that's been stuck in your heart for years, this retreat is about crafting something real and lasting in one of the most inspiring settings in New England.
Positive roots music, story-first songwriting, and the kind of room-reading mastery that only comes from decades of touring — that's what awaits you in Worcester, Vermont, September 7–10.
What to Expect
Limited to 3 songwriters — with one-on-one sessions, welcome dinner at Chad's home, and your performance at The Whammy Bar.
Before arriving in Vermont, you'll complete creative homework and connect with Chad to maximize your time together and get your creative juices flowing.
Every songwriting session is just you and Chad — no group instruction, no sharing a room. Explore melodies, lyrics, stories, and emotion with a guide who's opened for Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Tom Petty.
We'll start with your idea — or find one together — and by the end of the retreat, you'll have a finished song you can be proud of.
Tuesday evening, Chad plays original songs and shares the stories behind them — an intimate listening-room experience at his home in Worcester.
Write surrounded by the Green Mountains — morning light through the trees, crisp September air, and the kind of quiet that lets songs find their way out.
Wednesday night, share the songs you've written at dinner and perform at The Whammy Bar in Calais, VT — a real stage moment to celebrate your work.
Full Schedule
September 7–10, 2026 · Worcester & Calais, Vermont. Three songwriters, one-on-one sessions at Chad's home, lodging at a nearby B&B.
Check in to your B&B nearby.
Chat about the song you'll be writing and get to know the group.
Rest up — day one of songwriting sessions starts tomorrow morning.
Morning songwriting sessions begin.
Each songwriter gets a dedicated 55-minute session with Chad: 9:15–10:10 · 10:15–11:10 · 11:15–12:10
At his home in Worcester.
Each songwriter gets a dedicated 55-minute session with Chad: 1:45–2:40 · 2:45–3:40 · 3:45–4:40
Dinner on your own, 5:00–7:30 PM.
Chad plays original songs and shares the stories behind them.
Three morning sessions, lunch with Chad, and three afternoon sessions — each songwriter one-on-one with Chad at his home.
Share what you've written at The Whammy Bar in Calais, VT.
A relaxed morning sendoff with the group.
Bon voyage — take your song with you.
Lodging: Participants stay at a B&B close to Chad's home in Worcester (not included in the retreat fee). Meals: Five group meals are included — welcome dinner, two lunches with Chad, Wednesday dinner at The Whammy Bar, and Thursday bagels & coffee. Tuesday dinner is on your own.
Your Guide
Chad Hollister is a Vermont songwriter with over 35 years of touring and room-reading experience. In solo acoustic format, he delivers a compact setup with voice, guitar, stories, and strong audience connection.
"Pure sonic alchemy." — Anthony J. Resta, producer
Chad has opened for Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Tom Petty, and has shared stages with artists including Billy Gibbons, Warren Haynes, Merl Saunders, Blues Traveler, and members of PHISH.
Recent releases include "Flowers for No Reason" (May 2026), "Sunshine" (February 2026), and "Be Kind" (2025), with over 30,000 combined streams and active fan sharing.
Is This For You?
Strictly limited to 3 songwriters — no crowds, no groups. Just you, your music, and Chad Hollister one-on-one in the Green Mountains.
Join the Retreat
Only 3 spots available for this one-on-one Vermont retreat, September 7–10, 2026. Reserve your place below.
Includes one-on-one songwriting sessions with Chad and five meals. Lodging is not included. Limited to 3 songwriters.
Questions
Not necessarily. Bring your ideas, your stories, and your voice. Chad brings decades of experience helping songs take shape — with or without an instrument in your hands.
Both. This is a human-to-human experience. Your skill level doesn't matter — what matters is that you have something to say and you're ready to say it through song.
The retreat runs September 7–10, 2026 (Monday arrival at 3 PM, Thursday departure at 11 AM) in Worcester, Vermont. See the full schedule for daily details.
Participants check in to a B&B close to Chad's home in Worcester on Monday afternoon. Sessions and most meals take place at 58 Hampshire Hill Rd, Worcester, VT.
The retreat fee covers your one-on-one songwriting sessions with Chad, the private concert, and your performance night at The Whammy Bar — plus five group meals. Lodging at the nearby B&B is not included and is booked separately.
This retreat is strictly limited to 3 songwriters. Each participant gets dedicated one-on-one songwriting sessions with Chad — no group workshops, no crowds.
Yes. Every scheduled songwriting session is one-on-one with Chad Hollister — just you, your song, and Chad. The three morning and three afternoon session slots each day are reserved for the three retreat participants.
That's the goal. You'll work with Chad throughout the retreat to take an idea — yours or one you discover together — and shape it into a song you can be proud of.