SongMatrix Retreat 2025
August 20-24, 2025

How to Write a Masterpiece

At this one-of-a-kind retreat, you’ll learn the exact techniques used by legendary songwriters like Dylan, Mitchell, McCartney, Wonder, and Cohen—tools rarely taught but essential to creating timeless songs. Through hands-on guidance, you'll master both lyrical and musical strategies, from melodic chunking to advanced poetic devices, and apply them to write a song that meets objective standards of greatness. By the end, you won’t just have learned about masterpieces—you’ll have written one.

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Retreat Content

Write an Actual Masterpiece

Ever wondered how some songwriters seem to effortlessly create one masterpiece after another? What secrets did they unlock to craft songs that have stood the test of time, resonating through generations?

You've likely performed songs by legendary writers—Bob Dylan, Lennon-McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and many others. These are the artists whose work belongs in a class of its own, creating timeless classics that speak to the heart and soul. But what’s the secret behind their success?

The answer is simple: they mastered songwriting techniques that are rarely shared, techniques that today’s songwriters and producers often miss.

Now, you have the opportunity to learn those very techniques—the same methods that powered the world’s greatest songwriters to create songs that transcend time.

During this retreat, you’ll not only discover these techniques but will put them into practice to write a true masterpiece. With expert guidance, dedication, and the right tools, you’ll be empowered to create a song that could stand alongside the classics. Your journey to songwriting greatness starts here—are you ready to make it happen?

Master the Techniques of the Greats

Lyrical Mastery:
Learn how to craft a lyrical masterpiece in just 10–20 hours using advanced techniques like mood manipulation, apophenia triggers, and word selection strategies. Discover how to evoke deep emotional connections and create lasting memories through methods like anadiplosis, chiasmus, and time-indicating words.

Musical Genius:
Unlock the secrets behind memorable melodies, harmonic scales, and the strategic use of chromatic notes. Master techniques like melodic chunking, enharmonic change, and recurring chord sequences to create songs that capture the listener’s attention from the first note.

Quality Standards:
Test your song’s potential with the Song Audition Matrix (SAM Exam) and the Human Interest Index. Learn what to do if your song doesn’t pass and how to avoid musical and lyrical pitfalls that could sabotage your masterpiece.

AI-Free Mastery:
Understand why AI can’t replicate the essence of truly great songwriting and how you can create music that is uniquely human.

Retreat Instructor

Leading the retreat is Wayne Chase—musicologist, veteran educator, and author of the groundbreaking book How Music REALLY Works. With decades of research into the cognitive science, linguistics, and structure behind great songwriting, Wayne has extracted uniquely powerful techniques from comparative research on classic songwriting that result in music and lyrics that last. He’s currently completing two anticipated follow-up works: SongMatrix: How Songwriting REALLY Works and Words with Power, which delve even deeper into the techniques used by the greatest songwriters of all time. At the retreat, you'll work directly with Wayne to apply these proven methods and create a song of true masterpiece quality.

Bonus:

Exclusive Content

Each participant will receive more than 400 pre-release pages of material from the forthcoming book, SongMatrix: How Songwriting REALLY Works, plus exclusive content from the forthcoming book, Words with Power.

All-Inclusive 5-Day Retreat

Glamping
4 nights in a river's edge glamping tent

Daily Master Classes
Master classes will take your songwriting to the next level

Social Hour
Enjoy beverages and snacks on Mon/Wed evening

Dining
Delicious chef-inspired meals, beverages & desserts

Yoga
Optional yoga sessions at our river's edge shala

Guided Hike
Optional guided hike during your stay

Nightly Campfires & Performances
Unwind with campfire singing & performances

Resort Highlights

Private Beach

Hammock Garden

Nightly Campfires

Steamy Hot Tub

Archery

Favourite Add-ons

Rafting
Go on an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip

Massage
Relax with a 1 hour full-body massage

Rates

Sale ends August 1, 2025 - Book now to save! All prices are per person. Groups = How many people in one tent.

Groups of 2

Reg	Sale
$1999	$1699

Groups of 3

Reg	Sale
$1899	$1399

Groups of 4+

Reg	Sale
$1799	$1349

Singles

Choose a private tent for 1 or a private bed in a shared unit.

Single Occupancy (Private)

Reg	Sale
$2299	$1999

Shared Tent

Reg	Sale
$1899	$1499

Camping (your own tent)

Reg	Sale
$1699	$1299

*Up to 4 like-minded guests will be assigned to a shared tent.

Fine Print

We are open May 2 - September 26, 2025.
The above rates are per person based on the group size staying in one glamping tent. 10% taxes & fees added at checkout.
The deposit required to confirm your booking is 20% with the balance due 30 days prior to arrival.
If you cancel 30+ days in advance, any payments will convert to a credit voucher valid until August 1, 2027.