Hornby Island Blues Workshop



2025 Workshop Schedule


Class Fees $825

ONLINE Class Registration January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 A.M PST

Registration is on a “first come first serve basis” and will remain open until class capacity is reached.

Please note that accommodation is not included.

Saturday May 3rd, 2025
"Beginning with the Blues" (Not Art show)

Student Registration

Sunday, May 4th at Community Hall 2 - 5 p.m.
When enrolled students check in, they will receive their registration kits that contain their personalized schedule, all other information needed for the workshop days as well as any wristbands purchased for student guests’ concerts or meals.
Note: There is no Sunday dinner provided by Sea Breeze Lodge.

Instructors Night

Sunday May 4th : Instructors “Show & Tell” at Community Hall 7pm
Each instructor will introduce themselves and give a brief musical overview of their upcoming Workshop Classes. This is a non-ticketed event open only to students and their guests.
Our student liaison Board member Holly Grieve will be on site and can accommodate some rearrangements of class scheduling at this time, if class space allows.

Student/Instructor Workshop Starts

Monday, May 5th, 2025
MAJOR CLASS 9:30 - 12 noon
LUNCH Noon to 1 PM
MINOR CLASS 1:30 to 3:30 PM
DINNER 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Monday Night
8:00 pm Community Hall (doors at 7:30) – Acoustic Concert, Part 1
Note: There will be two acoustic concerts in 2024. The instructors will be divided into two groups, each will play in alternate venues over two nights. One concert group on Monday night and another concert group on Tuesday night.
Students and their guests are in the Community Hall for both nights

Tuesday May 6th, 2025
MAJOR CLASS 9:30 - 12 noon
LUNCH Noon to 1 PM
MINOR CLASS 1:30 to 3:30 PM
DINNER 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Tuesday Night
Acoustic Concert, Part 2
8:00 pm Community Hall (doors at 7:30)

Wednesday May 7th, 2025
MAJOR CLASS 9:30 - 12 noon
LUNCH Noon to 1 PM
MINOR CLASS 1:30 to 3:30 PM
DINNER 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Wednesday Night
8:00 pm Community Hall (doors at 7:30) – Electric Night Dance

Thursday May 8th, 2025

Free morning- practice what you’ve learned/rest up

Note: No Sea Breeze lunch on Thursday, check local listing for food service availability
DINNER 5:00-6:30 pm
Thursday Night
7:30 PM Student Performance Night at Community Hall
This is a non-ticketed private event open to students, their guests and supporters.

Friday May 9th, 2024
10 A.M. Brunch Farewell Sea Breeze Lodge

Saturday May 10th
The Odyssey Review at The Tidemark Theatre, Cambell River (see Tidemark website to purchase tickets). This is a theatre showcase of all the 2024 musicians in performance

Blues Week Meals

Meals are included in Student registration fees and are served at the Sea Breeze Lodge located at 5205 Fowler Rd. Included meals are: Lunch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dinner on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and Brunch on Friday. See above schedule for exact times or refer to the registration package you will receive.
Students can arrange for their guests to attend these meals. These arrangements need to be made and paid for in advance of the start of the Workshop, meal wristbands for student guests will be given to students at the time of in-person student registration on Sunday April 28th.

Major Classes 2025

9:30 AM to 12 noon, May 5, 6, 7



Minor Classes 2025 - 1:30PM to 3:30PM - May 5, 6, 7


Monday, May 5

Emily Burgess
The Swingin' Guitar of Hollywood Fats
Jack De Keyzer
Slide By
Angel Forrest
Teach the World to Sing
Brandon Isaak
Being a Band Leader
Russell Jackson
Different Forms (8 bars, 12 bars, 24 bars etc.
Michael Jerome Browne
Robert Johnson Overview
Steve Marriner
Expanding Your Vocabulary - The Different Positions of Blue Harp
Chris Nordquist
Shufflin'
Ndidi O
History of the Blues
Paul Pigat
The Genius of Scotty Moore
Steve Strongman
Countrified Blues
Dawn Tyler Watson
Vocal Basics
David Vest
Playing Ray Charles-style Piano

Tuesday, May 6

Emily Burgess
The Bo Diddley Beat
Jack De Keyzer
Rhythm, Riffs, and Reed - Jimmy Reed
Angel Forrest
Sounds of the Angels
Brandon Isaak
Writing Better Songs
Russell Jackson
Stand-up Bass Style (1hour)
Michael Jerome Browne
Turnarounds 1 - Jamming
Steve Marriner
Tongue Twisters
Chris Nordquist
Playing in the Pocket
Ndidi O
Songwriting Formats
Paul Pigat
Substitutions in the Blues!!
Steve Strongman
The Depth of the Slide
Dawn Tyler Watson
Gospel FUNshop
David Vest
Classic Rock Piano Styles

Wednesday, May 7

Emily Burgess
The Many Uses of your Bottom 3 Strings
Jack De Keyzer
Howlin' For My Darling
Angel Forrest
Playing Nice to Inspire
Brandon Isaak
Art of the Guitar Solo
Russell Jackson
Playing in a band
Michael Jerome Browne
Turnarounds 2 - Fingerstyle
Steve Marriner
I Hear That Train a Comin'
Chris Nordquist
Different Feels and Tempos
Ndidi O
Songs Workshop
Paul Pigat
Arpeggios
Steve Strongman
The Ocean of Songwriting
Dawn Tyler Watson
Stage Works
David Vest
Playing As an Accompanist
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