Guitar Workshop Plus, the acclaimed Canada-based music camp returns to San Diego for a week-long session at the Sheraton Hotel in Mission Valley, taking place from June 23–June 28. Founded by Brian Murray, Guitar Workshop Plus is now in its second decade in North America, with events held annually in Toronto, Nashville and Fort Lauderdale, as well as in San Diego since 2015. The workshop is open to players at all levels, making this a great opportunity for musicians to work on their craft, with help from an amazing group of top local and national performers as the instructors.
The 2024 edition will include legendary guitarist Laurence Juber, best known for his time with Paul McCartney & Wings and such hit recordings as Belinda Carlisle’s “Mad About You,” Eric Carmen’s “Make Me Lose Control,” and the soundtracks to TV shows such as Happy Days, Family Ties and Home Improvement. Also featured will be David Grissom, who has performed with Joe Ely, John Mellencamp and The Allman Brothers. Other teachers set to take part include award-winning blues guitarist / author, Wayne Riker, recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement SDMA, and Greg Vaughan, a virtuoso rock guitarist, who can also be heard playing sitar with his group, Danyavaad. Additional instructors will be announced via the Guitar Workshop Plus website.
In addition to lessons, students will have a chance to perform in both an open mic type setting as well as in faculty-coached ensembles. Notably, Guitar Workshop Plus features clinics for all ages, levels, and styles. “We offer rock, country, jazz, blues, and we also have guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals, and songwriting,” Murray said. He notes the one-on-one aspect of the instruction. “GWP is designed to cater to the individual needs, as well as the musical tastes of the attendees, while at the same time providing lots of group clinics and performance opportunities,” Murray remarked.
How are teachers selected? “We consider it important to only work with top-tier talent,” Murray remarked. “We also include local talent where we can at each location,” he noted. Murray considers that Guitar Workshop Plus faculty must meet three criteria: They have to be great musicians, they have to be great teachers, and “they have to be great people,” he said. “That last one is particularly important. We strive to create a warm, welcoming environment, both non-competitive and supportive.”
Vaughan notes that in a program like Guitar Workshop Plus, even the instructors can learn new things. “I enjoy the opportunity to meet and teach students from all over the world,” he said. “I get to hear all their different perspectives. I also really enjoy seeing the teaching methods of the other instructors and guest artists. Whether it’s a local or a famous touring performer, it’s always fascinating to see how other teachers approach different subjects.”
Guitar Workshop Plus is open for enrollment for the June session.
