Fireside Song Retreat
Between the fire and the river, we remember what it means to be human.
September 18-20, 2026
Nevada City, CA and The Yuba River
A weekend of songwriting,
authentic connection,
and collaborative creation
Humanity has been practically and creatively moved forward by the presence of the elements. Communities have always thrived near the river and gathered in the evening around the fire. Its where the universal mind is more easily accessed and the inherent human ability to create comes alive.
The fire called us into expression. The river called us home.
For one weekend, we gather between the fire and the Yuba River to sing, create, listen, move, and remember our belonging; to ourselves, to one another, and the living world.
Creativity is the natural state of health for a conscious being. This weekend is an opportunity to reconnect to that
Between the fire and the river, we remember what it means to be human.
Meet Your Team
Ananda Murari
Songwriter
Circle Leader
Dr. Hazel Grace
Culture Weaver
Connection Guide
Colin Martin
Songwriter
Creative Guide
Ready to join us? Spaces are limited.
Kayla Diana
Songwriter
Voice Activator
The Weekend Journey
Friday | Arrive
Slow down.
Meet your pod.
Share your first meal.
Participate in the Connection Lab.
Gather around the fire for a facilitated music circle.
Leave the evening feeling less like strangers and more like a village.
Saturday | Create
Spend the day exploring songwriting, movement, voice, and collaborative expression.
Share lunch beside the Yuba River.
Allow the river, the land, and the natural world to become part of your creative process.
Return to the fire for music, featured artists, and community celebration.
Sunday | Share
Complete your collaborative creation.
Witness the offerings from each pod.
Celebrate what emerged over the weekend.
Return home carrying more courage, connection, and trust in your own creative voice.
Is This Retreat For You?
Yes, if you:
✔ Love music
✔ Miss feeling creatively alive
✔ Long for meaningful human connection
✔ Have a creative spark waiting to be expressed
✔ Enjoy camping and being outdoors
✔ Want to sing, even if no one has heard your voice before
✔ Value authenticity over perfection
✔ Are willing to participate
This retreat may not be for you if:
✘ You hope to remain primarily an observer
✘ You prefer highly structured conferences or lecture-style learning
✘ You are uncomfortable participating in group experiences
✘ You are looking for polished performances rather than collaborative creation
If you saw yourself in the list above, we'd love to have you
Your Home for the Weekend
Nestled on 78 acres of wild and beautiful land in the Sierra foothills, Rosebud Ranch offers a place to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world.
Towering trees, open meadows, star-filled skies, and the nearby Yuba River create a landscape that naturally invites creativity, rest, and connection.
Throughout the weekend, you'll gather around the fire, wander the land, share meals in community, and immerse yourself in the beauty of this special place.
Get a Glimpse of Fireside Song
Wondering what Fireside Song feels like? These short videos offer a glimpse into the music, connection, nature, and community that make this retreat so special.
What You'll Experience
🌿 78 acres of forests, meadows, and open sky
🔥 Evening fireside gatherings beneath the stars
🚿 A stunning bathhouse with hot showers
🧖 An acoustically beautiful sauna for singing, sound, and connection
🏕 Peaceful campgrounds nestled among the trees
🌊 Time at the Yuba River, including a guided creative excursion to the water
🍲 Nourishing meals prepared by a local chef
☕ Coffee, tea, and light snacks throughout the weekend
✨ Quiet spaces for reflection, conversation, rest, and inspiration
Rosebud is more than the setting for the retreat.
The land, the river, the fire, and the community all work together to support what wants to emerge.
WORKSHOPS
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Facilitated by Dr. Hazel-Grace Yates
Every meaningful collaboration begins with connection.
Through a series of fun, thoughtful, and engaging partner conversations, you'll move beyond small talk and begin meeting the incredible humans who will share this weekend with you. Together we'll explore prompts designed to invite curiosity, authenticity, laughter, and genuine presence.
This isn't about networking or making the "right" impression. It's about slowing down enough to truly see and be seen.
By the end of the evening, you'll have already begun weaving the trust, belonging, and connection that will support the creative collaborations to come. Whether you arrive knowing no one or with friends, you'll leave feeling like you're already part of the village.
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Facilitated by Kayla Diana
Muse-ic is happening.. everywhere.. in all things… all the time. You can think of it like a mighty river flowing through life. All you have to do is jump in!
In this workshop, we will learn and experience the step-by-step process of clearing your creative channel, embodying your voice, and receiving song so that you can be FREE from the moment of inspiration to the expression of the song.
We will go through the fundamentals of vocal embodiment, practice getting out of the way, and learn a ritual of receiving songs all the while remembering the most essential component.. PLAY!
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Facilitated by Ananda Murari
Composition via the mysterious and ordinaryThe senses provide a pathway to reconsider our approach to songwriting and creativity. We have the opportunity to consider even what seems mundane in a unique light.
In this workshop we will learn how to re-wire the way our senses perceive common nouns and ideas to unlock a new part of our creative brain.
Songwriting is more than an activity, it is a communion deep discovery of ourselves and existence around us.
What nouns writing:
Sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, body, motion
Describe what the senses experience in order to discover the past, present and future.
Abstract, emotional nouns writing:
Space, tree tops, back yard, court house, conviction…
Then connect them. Become interesting and connect what is fun and insightful. Find the meaning between the unrelated words.
2nd part,
Take cliques and re-consider them.
Consider what is otherwise commonplace and see how it’s actually mysterious.
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Facilitated by Colin Martin
Many songwriters know how to begin. Fewer know how to finish.
In this workshop, we’ll explore completion as a creative practice. Together we’ll examine the tension between possibility and commitment, inspiration and refinement, seeking and allowing. What happens when we stop trying to force the perfect lyric, melody, or arrangement and instead listen for what the song is asking to become?
Whether you’re finishing a song, navigating a creative block, or learning to trust your artistic instincts, this workshop offers practical tools and fresh perspective for bringing your work across the finish line.
Completion is not the moment we prove a song is perfect. It is the moment we trust that the song has given us enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not at all. Fireside Song Retreat is designed for anyone who feels drawn to music, creativity, and authentic expression. Some participants may be experienced musicians or songwriters, while others may have never sung in front of another person.
All levels of experience are welcome.
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No.
The workshops and facilitators are here to support the creative process, not evaluate it. Curiosity and willingness are far more important than experience.
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Absolutely.
Whether you've never written a song, feel shy about singing, or simply want to reconnect with your creative spirit, this retreat is designed to meet you where you are.
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Many participants attend by themselves.
Through the Connection Lab, Creation Pods, shared meals, workshops, and fireside gatherings, meaningful connections often form quickly.
You may arrive alone, but you likely won't stay a stranger for long.
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Fireside Song Retreat is centered around presence, creativity, connection, and community.
Please see the event policies for specific guidelines regarding alcohol and substances.
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Great!
Nervousness often means you're standing at the edge of something meaningful.
You do not need to arrive confident, outgoing, talented, or "creative enough."
You only need to arrive willing.
The fire, the river, the land, and the community will help hold the rest.
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Participants camp on the beautiful grounds of Rosebud Ranch.
The property offers peaceful campsites, a stunning bathhouse, hot showers, and a beautifully crafted sauna.
Participants provide their own camping equipment.
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Tent and camping gear
Layers for warm days and cool evenings
Water bottle
Journal and pen
Swimsuit and towel
Comfortable clothing for movement
Musical instruments (optional)
Camp chair or blanket
Anything that supports your creativity and comfort
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Yes.
Our excursion to the Yuba River is one of the highlights of the weekend, but participation is always optional.
The walk includes uneven terrain and is approximately 20–25 minutes.
Alternative participation options can be discussed if mobility is a concern.
The river area may be clothing optional. Clothing is always welcome and entirely your choice.
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Yes.
The retreat includes six nourishing meals:
Friday dinner
Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Sunday breakfast and lunch
Meals are prepared by a local chef using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Coffee, tea, and light snacks are available throughout the weekend.
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Cell service can be limited in parts of Rosebud Ranch.
Many participants discover this to be one of the gifts of the weekend.
Ready to Gather by the Fire?
September 18–20, 2026
Rosebud Ranch • Nevada County, California