Sea to Sky Fiddle & Cello Retreat
Dates: July 5-6, 2025
Location: Squamish, BC
Instructors: Jocelyn Pettit (Fiddle/Step Dance), Ellen Gira (Cello), Jennifer Mauel (Guitar)
Register: Registration is now open! Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Payment can be sent by e-transfer to info@jocelynpettit.com. If you would rather pay by cheque or another method, please email to discuss arrangements.
Limited spots. Sign up early!
Saturday Night Concert:
If you would like to reserve tickets for the concert on Saturday July 5th, without attending the Retreat, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page, selecting “Saturday concert only”. Payment can be sent by e-transfer to info@jocelynpettit.com. Thank you!
Time: Doors 7 PM, Concert 7:30 PM
Tickets: $25 Adult, $15 Youth (13-18), Free for kids (12 & under)
Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira (Photo: Lorand Szasz)
More Info:
This weekend retreat is geared towards adult string players (fiddle/violin, viola, cello, bass). Other melody and accompaniment instrumentalists interested in Celtic music and ensemble playing are welcome to join. Creating a high-quality learning experience is our top priority.
Topics include:
• Learning traditional and contemporary tunes
• Ornamentation and bowing
• Harmony and accompaniment ideas
• Playing with others
• Step Dance (Elective)
• Guitar Accompaniment (Elective, with guest instructor, Jennifer Mauel)
COVID protocols:
• For the safety of all, we kindly request that you take a Rapid Antigen Test prior to attending. Thank you for taking this extra precaution.
Accommodation:
• For those coming from out of town, there are some lovely B&Bs, hotels, and campgrounds in the area.
• The Squamish Estuary and Mamquam River trails offer beautiful views of the mountains! Murrin Loop and the Sea to Sky Gondola trails are other local favourites.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Jocelyn & Ellen
Squamish Estuary
Schedule:
Saturday, July 5th
10:30 AM Welcome
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Workshop 1
1:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break
2:00 - 4:00 PM Workshop 2
7:30 PM Concert with Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira and Guests
Sunday, July 6th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop 3
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 - 2:00 PM Workshop 4 - Electives (Step Dance, Chords & Grooves, Guitar Accompaniment)
2:00 - 4:00 PM Recap & Jam Session
Some of the wonderful participants from the 2023 Retreat!
Fees:
$25 Saturday Concert only (Adult)
$15 Saturday Concert only (Youth 13-18)
$200 Weekend Retreat (includes full weekend programming, with Concert)
$120 Saturday only (includes Sat workshops & Concert)
Weekend Retreat fees include 9 hours of instruction, helpful resource materials (including sheet music and recordings), the Saturday night concert, and coffee/tea/refreshments.
Financial assistance is offered through the Community Access Music Project, with bursary applications available here.
Instructor Bios:
Joining forces in Glasgow in 2018, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira were already two well-established musicians, who found together a kindred musical spirit. With Jocelyn on fiddle and Ellen on cello, they push boundaries between traditional and contemporary genres to create a powerfully uplifting and soulful performance.
On stage, their instruments weave a rhythmic, textured sound with nuanced fiddle-cello interplay. Complemented with vocal harmonies and lively stepdancing, they bring life and fire into original tunes, and high-energy repertoire from Scotland, Ireland, North America, and Scandinavia. FolkWorld Magazine calls them “A dazzling duo!”.
Jocelyn & Ellen have been captivating audiences in North America and the UK with their album, All It Brings. They are Canadian Folk Music Award Winners for 2024 "Traditional Album of the Year".
JOCELYN PETTIT:
From the West Coast of British Columbia, Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant fiddle player, stepdancer, and singer. As a 5-time Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee (including 2023 “Solo Artist of the Year”), and Western Canadian Music Award Nominee, Jocelyn has released three solo albums, including her latest, Wind Rose. She has toured across Canada and internationally, appeared on national television and radio, performed with The Chieftains, and holds a Master of Music Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
ELLEN GIRA:
From the East Coast of the USA, Ellen Gira is establishing herself as one of the most versatile cellists in the American and Scottish Traditional music scenes. Based in Maryland, she has performed throughout North America and the UK, and collaborated and recorded with numerous acclaimed traditional musicians. She holds a Master of Music Degree, and recently completed doctoral studies in Traditional Cello Pedagogy, both from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Jennifer Mauel is a guitarist and singer-songwriter based on the West Coast of Canada. Growing up, Jennifer was immersed in Celtic folk music and developed a passion for guitar accompaniment for traditional fiddle music. This led her to spend time living in Glasgow, Scotland where she learned from the best and brightest of the vibrant Scottish folk scene. Jennifer will be teaching a Guitar Accompaniment workshop, exploring chord voicings and strumming patterns in Celtic music.
Testimonials:
“…fabulous musicians and excellent teachers! I learned a ton from them and it was a joyful experience.” — Janice, 2023
“Jocelyn & Ellen are exquisitely talented and professional! Their delightful personalities create a pleasant atmosphere and they are positive and accepting of all making them great teachers!!” — Nanette, 2023
“Jocelyn & Ellen teach tunes in an engaging, organic way! We felt part of the process step by step as we learnt the nuts and bolts then created a polished finale. These women are able to embrace all levels of play with diverse instrumentation in a quality ensemble setting. It is rare that such talented performers are also excellent teachers.” — Louise, 2022
Registration
To sign-up, please fill out the form below.
Feel free to contact info@jocelynpettit.com with any questions.