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Join us in 2025 and dive into the depths of creative expression.
Immerse yourself in this extraordinary in-person experience that's designed to inspire, instruct, and ignite your passion for songwriting alongside other blossoming composers and some of the world's most renowned songwriting mentors.
Limited to 12 Participants
Introductory Pricing
H+ Members: $TBD | Non-Members: $TBD
HORIZONS FLUTE SCHOOL
In-Person Songwriting Immersion
Welcome to the Horizons Songwriting Immersion, an extraordinary fusion of creativity, mentorship, and community.
Throughout this immersive journey, you'll have the opportunity to enhance your songwriting skills under the guidance of award-winning songwriters.
We've designed a variety of enriching activities that promise to inspire and develop your musical talents. You'll dive deep into intensive songwriting sessions, refining your melodies and receiving invaluable feedback on your work.
An exclusive concert performed by our experienced instructors will offer both entertainment and learning opportunities. Off-session, you'll enjoy group outings and dinners, fostering camaraderie and connection within our creative community.
Our program also includes a nature excursion to spark inspiration and a sound bath experience for relaxation and rejuvenation. Towards the end of our journey, you'll have the chance to share your creations and thoughts with fellow participants. Join us at the Horizons Songwriting Immersion for a transformative experience of learning, creating, and connecting with music enthusiasts like yourself!
HORIZONS SONGWRITING IMMERSION 2025
- Dates: The Songwriting Immersion will be held in May 2025.
- Location: The Songwriting Immersion will be held near Gatlinburg, TN.
- Cost: The price for Horizons+ Members is TBD, non-members is TBD.
- Meals: Meals are TBD.
- Lodging: Lodging options are TBD.
FROM SCATTERED NOTES TO MELODIC MASTERPIECES
With this Songwriting Immersion, you'll gain a blueprint, the self-assurance, and the creative freedom to shape your tune, and the next, and even the one after that. This program isn't about helping you craft just a single song. It's about transforming your abilities, sharpening your skills, and setting you up for a journey of creating countless melodies for the rest of your life.
Creating Ideas
This is the birthplace of your song. It all starts with an idea, a melody, or a lyrical phrase. We'll help you tap into the depths of your creativity, drawing inspiration from your experiences, emotions, and even the world around you. A key aspect of this process is mindset. We encourage a mindset of openness, curiosity, and fearlessness in expressing your unique voice.
Refining & Feedback
Once the basic foundation of your song is laid, it's time to refine. This involves tweaking things, adjusting the melody, and possibly reworking the song structure. During this stage, constructive feedback plays a crucial role. It provides a fresh perspective and insights on how your song can be improved. Remember, every piece of feedback is an opportunity for growth.
Polishing Your Composition(s)
Fine-tune the details, intricately infusing emotion and dynamics into your composition. This process isn't just about achieving technical perfection, it's also about capturing the soul of your song, making sure that each element contributes to conveying the story and emotion you want to share with your audience.
2025 HORIZONS SONGWRITING IMMERSION
Meet Your Songwriting Mentors
Meet Your Songwriting Mentors
World-class Instructors
From across the land, Horizons offers some of the best instructors and musicians in the industry. These instructors have decades of experience and are excited to share with you!
Your Songwriting Mentors Are:
- Creative
- Collaborative
- Student-focused
Jonny Lipford
Jonny Lipford is a world-renowned musician of extraordinary talent with more than 20 years of experience with the Native American flute and various world flutes. He has amassed dozens of accolades for his work, having written over 200 original songs, released 18 commercial albums, and toured nationally, appearing for audiences of up to 14,000 people.
Not only is Jonny a gifted musician, but he is also an accomplished and highly-sought after instructor, leading thousands of students each year through courses, workshops, lessons, and an exceptional online learning membership.
Cornell Kinderknecht
Cornell Kinderknecht is a Dallas-based world flutes performer and recording artist, acclaimed for his music that transcends cultural boundaries. His compositions have featured in film, television soundtracks, and even in a PBS Documentary. He has graced various concert stages, festivals, and special events across the U.S., India, and Central Europe, including a performance at the prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Besides performing, Cornell imparts his knowledge through workshops, private lessons, and creating music for yoga and meditation sessions. His unique fusion of musical talent and passion for teaching makes him a celebrated figure in the world music scene.
Jon Norris
Jon is a musician, historian, and full-time maker of musical instruments, with his primary focus being the Native American Flute. He began playing the flute in 1992, researching and learning as much as he could about the instrument, music, history, construction, and cultural traditions.
In 2002, Jon began making instruments of his own, which turned into a career after he left the corporate world. Over the years, his passion for the instrument has led to him sharing what he knows whenever possible, both online and at schools and events around the country.
Maria Lipford
Maria, holding a degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a Level One Certificate in Sound Healing, combines her academic knowledge with a deep passion for music and sound. This fusion of expertise and interest allows her to connect profoundly with clients at Expanding Horizons LLC.
She leverages her understanding of health management, leadership, and sound healing modalities to create transformative, life-changing experiences for clients through immersive therapeutic practices.
Schedule of Events & Class Descriptions [Coming Soon!]
Unlock Your Songwriting Abilities: Six Key Benefits Of Our Program
Click on each one to find out more information!
Learn from the masters of songwriting. Direct access to award-winning songwriters offers unique insights and guidance, elevating your songwriting skills.
Receive invaluable feedback from peers and industry experts that helps refine your work and develop critical thinking skills.
Cultivate a creative mindset through experiences like sound baths that promote relaxation and rejuvenation, enhancing your approach to songwriting.
Benefit from a distraction-free environment that allows you to dive deep into your craft, leading to rapid skill development and creative breakthroughs.
Beyond improving songwriting abilities, gain essential skills like presentation and communication through the sharing and discussion of your work.
Draw inspiration from various sources, including nature, mentors, and fellow participants, while building a sense of community through shared meals, ideas, and experiences.
Join Us In The Smoky Mountains!
Horizons Songwriting Immersion Mentors
Write your next chapter.
Grow. Connect. Soar.
Join us for a transformative songwriting immersion nestled in the picturesque Smoky Mountains this May! This is your chance to fine-tune your skills, engage with a community of fellow songwriters and receive expert guidance on your musical path. Embrace the rhythm of nature and let it fuel your creativity - book your spot today!
Remember, space is limited to 12 participants only!
Horizons+ Discount
Horizons+ Members receive a discount on their immersion admission.
Bonuses!
Each Immersion participant will receive program bonuses worth $250+!
Some Meals Included
Meals may be included in the cost of your Immersion admission.
For your security, all orders are processed on a secured server.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Horizons Songwriting Immersion will be held May 6-9, 2024 (Monday morning through Thursday evening).
There are many nearby hotels, cabins and campgrounds in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area to choose from.
Lunches will be catered each day, but we will do our best to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities. If you require a particular diet and find it hard to eat, you may want to bring food with you or shop when you get here. There are several grocery stores in the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. If the food you bring requires refrigeration, we can make reasonable accommodations.
There is a 25% cancellation fee if you cancel before April 1, 2024. If you cancel your reservation on or after April 1, 2024, there is a 100% fee forfeiture.
There is room for 12 participants in the Songwriting Immersion.
We will continue to monitor the situation and recommendations from the CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health. You may mask and socially distance yourself based on your comfort level. For the safety and well-being of everyone participating, please do not attend if you are showing any symptoms. No refund will be offered if you miss any portion of the Horizons Songwriting Immersion due to contracting COVID.
We are aiming for this event to cater to participants whose skills are over the beginning stages. If you are a novice or beginner flute player, please consider
starting with our beginner online course.
Please bring at least one of your flutes with you, a notepad or device to take notes on, a flute bag or other bag to help keep your materials together and a refillable water bottle.
All of the sessions are scheduled for indoors with the exception of the nature outing.
Yes. However, due to space and the nature of the event, only our instructors will be vending.
No. You do not need to be a member of Horizons to attend this event, but Horizons+ Members will receive a $75 discount on their admission to the Songwriting Immersion.
The Horizons Songwriting Immersion will be held at Sky Harbor Lodge at 1218 Silver Poplar Ln, Sevierville, Tennessee 37919
Lunches for all four days are included in your tuition fees. Breakfasts and dinners are not.
Four days of the Horizons Songwriting Immersion program, enrichment activities, four lunches, one concert, a sound bath experience, a nature outing, a songwriting kit, individual mentorship, and a gift card to Horizons Flute Store.
Because space is limited for the Horizons Songwriting Immersion, we are not offering any prorated or discounted amounts.
While the priority is on materials surrounding the contemporary Native American flute, the focus will shift based on the instructors’ area of expertise or students' interest and may include Indigenous flutes, rim-blown flutes, bansuri, shakuhachi and other world flutes.
Some classes will be more presentation style, though the instructors focus on engaging the participants as much as possible. Others will be quite interactive.
The program begins at 9:00 a.m. on Monday. Sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. each day. Monday afternoon there will be a concert from 4-5 p.m., before we go to dinner as a group. Wednesday afternoon there will be a nature outing from noon until approximately 4 p.m, followed by a sound bath experience from 4-5 p.m. Thursday afternoon, there will be a student performance from 4-6 p.m. In the evenings, you are free to work on your music or explore all that the area has to offer!
There are several airport options to choose from when visiting the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area. Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) is 12 miles to the north of our venue. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is 45 miles to the West in the Knoxville area. Rental cars and shuttle buses are available at both locations. You may be able to share a vehicle with other participants if you’re staying in the same location.
The Trading Post is an opportunity to re-home pre-owned instruments or gear you no longer use or want. We will have a space and forms available for you to fill out so that you can offer these items for sale or trade. You are entirely responsible for your items while they are in the Trading Post and will handle all negotiating and transacting.
This is entirely up to the vendor or seller of the flute and your personal level of comfort.