Emerald Isle
String Haven

June 22nd - June 27th, 2025

Colombiere Retreat Center, Clarkston, MI

Photo of a violin

Music camp for adult string players

You love chamber music? You love playing in a string orchestra? You love learning more about how to improve your skills on your instrument? Come join us at Emerald Isle String Haven!

What we do at Emerald Isle String Haven

Passion for playing string instruments

Emerald Isle String Haven is a camp for adult string enthusiasts at every level. Our campers are motivated, and eager to play and learn.

Non-competitive

Emerald Isle String Haven is not about who plays better. We provide a non-competitive environment where everyone can learn and enjoy at their own level.

Technique classes

Every morning, we work on scales and technique. You may learn a new technique, or revisit and polish the technique you already know about.

Chamber music and string orchestra sessions

Campers are assigned a chamber music group and a piece in advance, and work on it with coaches daily.

String orchestra! Everyone gets together and practice as one group. Coaches play in the orchestra, too.

Campfire and evening activities

Gotta have a campfire at a camp! We do a campfire on the last night after the faculty concert. Otherwise, nothing is scheduled in the evening. You can go to downtown Clarkston for a delicious dinner and drink, stay in and play chamber music with other campers, or come listen to faculty quartet rehearsals.

EISH campers photo

Recommended levels

We think you will get the most out of our camp if you are at or above the levels described below. This is not a requirement.

Please know that we will work on pieces that are above and below the levels mentioned here to accommodate everyone at the camp. Even if you think you are not up to the described levels, you can still enjoy the camp immensely.

Camp Schedule (Sample)

  • Sunday:
  • 2:00-3:00 Orientation
  • 3:00-4:30 String Orchestra
  • 4:45-5:30 Fingerboard Geography/Technique
  • 5:40 Dinner
  • Evening free: Rooms will be available for chamber music rehearsals and practice. Quiet hour starts at 11:00pm every night.
  • Monday-Wednesday:
  • 8:15 Breakfast
  • 9:00-9:30 Warm up outside (weather permitting)
  • 9:40-10:30 Fingerboard Geography/Technique
  • 10:40-11:30 Violin/Viola/Cello choir
  • 11:40-12:10 Music Theory
  • 12:15 Lunch
  • 2:00-3:10 Chamber Music coaching
  • 3:20-4:30 String Orchestra
  • 4:30 Lessons/Chamber music rehearsals/Free time
  • 5:40 Dinner
  • 7:30 Open rehearsal at Chapel
  • Thursday:
  • 8:15 Breakfast
  • 9:00-9:30 Warm up outside (weather permitting)
  • 9:40-11:10 Fingerboard Geography/Technique
  • 11:20-12:00 String Orchestra
  • 12:15 Lunch
  • 2:00-3:00 Chamber Music
  • 3:10-4:00 String Orchestra
  • 4:00 Lessons/Chamber music rehearsals/Free time
  • 5:40 Dinner
  • 7:30 Faculty concert at Chapel
  • Friday:
  • 8:15 Breakfast
  • 9:00-9:30 Warm up
  • 9:40-11:00 Fingerboard geography/Technique
  • 11:10-12:00 String Orchestra
EISH violin campers photo

Location

The camp takes place at Colombiere Retreat & Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

entrance of Colombiere Retreat Center

Faculty

Photo of Takeshi Abo

Takeshi Abo, Violin

Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola, Alma College
Concertmaster, Midland Symphony Orchestra

Photo of Diana Anderson

Diana Anderson, Violin

Toledo Symphony Orchestra
Toledo School for the Arts

Photo of Reed Anderson

Reed Anderson, Viola

Toledo Symphony Orchestra
Toledo Symphony String Quartet

Photo of Jamie Fiste

Jamie Fiste, Cello

Associate Professor of Cello, Central Michigan University
Co-Founder, Plymouth Chamber Music Festival in Plymouth, MA
www.CelloProfessor.com

Photo of David Holland

David Holland, Viola,
Faculty Emeritus

Interlochen Arts Academy
Central Michigan University

EISH viola campers photo

Registration Form

For registration, please email

Takeshi Abo, ( for violin):

Jamie Fiste, ( for viola and cello):

More Information

Visit official website

Social media

Jamie conducting orchestra