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The USGO Summer Institute is inspired by the Eastern Music Festival. Kami Rowan, Jason Vieaux, and Alan Hirsh are here to continue to offer an educational and community-driven workshop welcoming guest artist Colin Davin on Guilford College’s beautiful campus July 22-August 1, 2026.

With the goal of continuing the most immersive and highest quality summer guitar workshop, we promise to deliver a life-changing experience. Participants will be immersed in all-day workshops, rehearsals, performances, master classes, inside a lovely campus with more than 240 acres of woods (Guilford Woods). The Institute will kick-off with a high school and collegiate competition and end with a dynamic concert. In between, guitarists will create music, improv, play chamber music, have lessons and master classes with world-renowned players and pedagogues, practice performance skills and do workshops ranging from technique to professional development.

The special sauce of the USGO Summer Institute is the vibe! IYKYK and if you don’t come see!

Orchestra Only

Join the US Guitar Orchestra Summer Institute’s guitar orchestra to perform a full program including a newly commissioned work.

Rehearsals will occur on weekday evenings and weekend days to accommodate working individuals. Participants will be asked to attend a minimum of 5 rehearsals during the 10-day workshop. Exceptions can be made upon request.

Elementary/Middle School 1-Day Workshop

Saturday, 7/25 from 9:00am-3:00

$100 due at time of application

Day’s Activities: ensemble, evaluator feedback opportunity, master class, age-appropriate classes, musical play, culminating performance. Hotel information available upon request for out of town participants.

FAQs

1. Is this festival modeled after EMF??

Yes! For almost 10 years these this guitar festival gave 100’s of guitarists wonderful opportunities to create community through music and the study and celebration of the guitar. The US Guitar Orchestra Summer Institute seeks to create a new vibrant model carrying on traditions from past foundations.

2. Why is the festival only 10 days and not two weeks?

We felt like ten days is most likely more doable for a larger number of participants.

3. If my child is under 18 how do I know if they will be safe?

Participants will take part in supervised activities from breakfast through evening events each day. Guitarists under 18 will be housed with peers in their age group and must follow an 11:00 p.m. curfew. While we maintain a close-knit, attentive, and supportive community, participants should be mature enough to be away from home for the full 10 days.

4. Is this summer experience for adults?

Yes! Anyone over 14 can attend and any level player.

5. What do I need to bring if I’m staying on campus?

Bedding, towels, toiletries, clothing (day-to-day and performance all-black), guitar, music stand, music

6. What age players can attend this festival?

14+

7. When will I get my orchestra music?

We’ll try to get it to you no later than early May

8. If I have more questions, who can I talk to?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Director, Kami Rowan at kaminonprofit@gmail.com

Jason Vieaux

Competition

The USGO Summer Institute Competition will take place during the first two days of the festival, 7/23 and 7/24 in two rounds. Each round will be adjudicated by 3 evaluators and all competitors will be given feedback from them.

Competitors may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty. If a competitor exceeds allotted time, they will be asked to stop, but with no penalty. All judge/evaluator decisions are final.

All competition participants must register for the full festival.