The NW Songwriter Soiree Retreat is on pause for 2026 as we locate a new venue for 2027. We will be offering two enriching songwriting mini-retreats this year in Portland called Songs In The City. Space will fill up fast for these, so check it out and sign up now!
Tickets on sale soon!. Be the first to know about early bird discounts by signing out mailing list!
Join our next Songwriter Soiree Retreat, bringing together one of the largest communities of songwriters and music lovers to the natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest!
The NW Songwriter Soiree Retreat supports songwriters of ALL skill levels and genres, creates an inspiring and heart-centered experience, and provides a safe community where individuals can express themselves, expand their creativity, and connect through the shared love of music and storytelling.
Each Spring and Autumn, become part of an uplifting and nurturing community to:
Hi, I’m Robin!
If you are like many people, you are craving connection more than ever right now. In an age of increased separation and acceleration, there is nothing I can imagine more healing than sharing music with friends around a campfire!
That’s why I started the Songwriter Soiree Retreat. What began in 2009 as a simple monthly living room potluck for songwriters seeking community and inspiration, has grown into one of the largest communities of songwriters and music lovers! These Pacific Northwest retreats now offer a special chance for us to come together every Spring and Autumn, drawing inspiration from one another and from the beauty of nature.
If you have attended any of our past retreats, you know that the outpouring of love, appreciation and excitement that has generated has been truly transformative for so many people.
We look forward to playing with you at our next retreat as you discover and live your creative self!
Thanks, and see you ’round the campfire!
Warmly,
Robin Jackson, Retreat Director
“It’s such a special community. I really want to take that feeling of supportive, loving, community with me out into the world and hopefully manifest more of that in my life because it is so special, vital and important to my being.”
This is the heart of our retreat. Each night we will gather together in an intentional and supportive space to share original songs, whether complete or a work in progress. Participants are encouraged to talk about the process! Please note that sharing a song or writing a song isn’t required at all. How you participate is up to you! Just listen, bring your presence, give feedback, relax, learn, and enjoy!
Daily workshop choices in all aspects of songwriting including lyricism, arranging, storytelling, form, musicality and more, led by amazing regionally recognized and talented teachers, performers and mentors. All levels welcome.
Whether you are a professional or don’t identify as a “musician,” we have a lot of dynamic ways you can participate and learn, with workshops on circle singing, vocal improv, drumming, beginner guitar, ukulele, music performance, and more! We also offer various workshops beyond songwriting to help you expand your confidence, grow out of your comfort zone, nurture your creative spirit, and ultimately provide you with fertile ground for songs to emerge.
Begin each day with an optional, inspiring-led yoga class taught by one of our renowned teachers. And Sunday, join us for our vibrant dance party to get your body moving!
Part of what makes our retreats so unique is the safe, supportive and connected space we create. We will offer activities to inspire connection and make the weekend even more magical. Optional, yet encouraged!
We came here to relax, right?! Take the time YOU need to unwind, be still and let inspiration find you in between our planned activities. The camp is situated on 120 wooded acres, with mountain trails and a scenic lakefront just one block from the beach. The property offers hiking trails, big starry skies, and a serene and meditative nature experience, in addition to massages for an additional price!
Our Autumn retreat is located on the Oregon coast at the Twin Rocks Camp, located on 120 magnificent acres in Rockaway, OR! Twin Rocks is a well established retreat center boasting stunning views of the coastline, and a deep rooted community which has been built to support connection. Twin Rocks is focused on providing a peaceful, nature-focused environment that promotes growth and connection through rest, reflection, and engagement. They are very open and encouraging to groups of all beliefs and backgrounds.
Accommodations are clean, comfy and easily accessible within and near the main lodges. Sleeping arrangements consist of clean and cozy individual and shared rooms in different configurations (single/double/triple/bunks). First come first serve so sign up now if you want a specific room! You can learn more on our accommodation page.
All food is included! Enjoy three nutritious and healthy home cooked meals a day, as well as 24 hour coffee, tea and other refreshments. The kitchen staff is friendly to all dietary needs including vegan, GF, Kosher, etc. How awesome is that!
“You could not ask for a more receptive, listening, and encouraging audience to play for! It was so inspiring to see some people who had never played or performed before, or played anything before, allowing themselves to get up and be vulnerable and show themselves….The whole experience was something special!”
— Gabriella C
It was amazing. Probably the best group experience of my life.
— DeAnna Rose, Soiree Participant.
Your creative community is one step away! Click below for pricing and to register. All room levels are first come first serve and all room availability type is limited. We expect to sell out in advance as usual so don’t delay!
To read learn more about our values, mission, and commitment to creating inclusive and safer spaces, please read our about page HERE.
“I came to the retreat curious about how this might further inspire my fledgling songwriting. When I arrived, I felt excited but also nervous, what was I doing here?! I was warmly welcomed and immediately felt at ease. The entire weekend was full of authentic connection and beautiful expression. I left feeling more open, expansive, inspired and supported. I couldn’t have asked for a better audience to share with for the first time!”
— Maria Veltman
“I had wondered, as a non-singer, non-songwriter, and non-musician, what I could possibly get from this weekend. And, I got a lot. Songwriting was just the vehicle for the retreat’s true purpose: this was a creativity retreat! That’s something worthwhile even for someone whose only instrument is the kazoo.”
— Avi Kindle
