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Coast Mountain Folk - Traditional Music Retreat


Dates: July 4-5, 2026

Location: Squamish Academy of Music, Squamish, BC

Instructors: Jocelyn Pettit (Fiddle, Step Dance), Lea Kirstein (Cello, Viola), Kristina Leesik (Fiddle, Song), Justyna Krzyżanowska (Harp, Song), Michael Burnyeat (Fiddle, Guitar), Jennifer Mauel (Guitar)

Register: Workshop registration is now full.  If you would like to join the 2026 waitlist, please email info@jocelynpettit.com. Thank you for your interest!

 
 
 

Saturday July 4th - Instructor Concert:

Time: Doors 7:30 PM, Concert 8 PM
Location: Squamish Academy of Music, Squamish BC
Tickets: $30 Adult, $15 Youth (13-18), Free for kids (12 & under)

Featuring Transatlantic Folk Quartet, ANEMARA:
• Jocelyn Pettit — Fiddle, Vocals, Step Dance
• Lea Kirstein — Cello, Vocals
• Kristina Leesik (Sweden) — Fiddle, Vocals
• Justyna Krzyżanowska (Sweden) — Harp, Vocals

The concert will also feature special guests:
• Michael Burnyeat — BC Fiddle Champion
• Jennifer Mauel — West Coast Guitarist & Singer-Songwriter

Tickets are available through the link below, or by sending an e-transfer to info@jocelynpettit.com. Thank you!

 
 

More Info:

This weekend retreat is geared towards string players, and other instrumentalists interested in traditional music and ensemble playing. Creating a high-quality learning experience is our top priority.

Topics include:
• Learning traditional and contemporary tunes
• Swedish tune playing
• Ornamentation and bowing
• Harmony and accompaniment ideas
• Playing with others
• Arranging skills
• Guitar Accompaniment
• Intro to Guitar (Elective)
• Step Dance (Elective)
• Scandinavian Songs (Elective)

Accommodation:
• For those coming from out of town, there are some lovely B&Bs, hotels, and campgrounds in the area.
• Here is a list of some accommodation options.

Local Hiking & Destinations:
• The Squamish Estuary and Mamquam River trails offer beautiful views of the mountains! Murrin Loop, Squamish Canyon and the Sea to Sky Gondola trails are other local favourites.
• Here is a list of some local lakes and parks.
• The Squamish Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings downtown. It’s a great place to visit during our lunch break!

Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

Looking forward to welcoming you here!

Jocelyn

 

Squamish Estuary

 

Squamish, BC

 

Schedule:

Saturday, July 4th

9:45 AM Arrival & Check-In Begins
10:00 AM Welcome Reception
10:30 - 11:30 AM Workshop 1
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Workshop 2
1:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break
2:00 - 3:15 PM Workshop 3
3:30 - 4:15 PM Ensemble Class
7:30 PM Doors open for Concert
8:00 PM Instructor Concert

Sunday, July 5th

10:00 - 11:30 AM Workshop 4
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Workshop 5
1:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch Break
2:00 - 3:15 PM Workshop 6 - Electives
3:30 - 4:15 PM Recap & Jam Session
6:30 - 8:30 PM Optional: Trad Session at Brackendale Art Gallery

 

2025 Retreat, Squamish, BC

Trad Session at the Brackendale Art Gallery, Squamish, BC

 

Fees:

$210 Weekend Retreat - Early Bird (register before Mar 31, 2026)
$260 Weekend Retreat - Regular (register after Apr 1, 2026)
$30 Saturday Concert only (Adult)
$15    Saturday Concert only (Youth 13-18)

Weekend Retreat fees include full weekend programming, with music and dance instruction, helpful resource materials (including sheet music and recordings), the Saturday night concert, welcome reception, and coffee/tea/refreshments.

Cancellation Policy:
• Cancellations received 30 or more days prior to the Retreat are eligible for a 75% refund.
• Cancellations received between 14-30 days prior to the Retreat are eligible for a 50% refund.
• Cancellations received fewer than 14 days prior to the Retreat are not eligible for a refund.

 

2026 Instructor Bios:

 

JOCELYN PETTIT:
(Fiddle / Step Dance)

From the Coast Mountains of Squamish, Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant, award-winning fiddle player, stepdancer, singer, and music educator. She has toured across Canada and internationally, appeared on CBC and BBC television and radio, released five albums, and received multiple recognitions at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, and International Acoustic Music Awards. Jocelyn has a Master’s Degree in Traditional Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

With a passion for sharing the joy and connection of music, Jocelyn has taught classes, workshops, and string programs in schools and communities both locally and internationally. She is the founder of Coast Mountain Folk, celebrating folk and traditional music through community sessions, workshops and camps in Squamish, BC.

 
 

LEA KIRSTEIN:
(Cello / Viola)

Lea Kirstein is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and concert presenter based in Toronto, ON. She grew up in Victoria, BC, immersed in many traditional and contemporary fiddle styles, and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Collaborations have led her on tours across Canada and internationally with: Medusa, iskwē, Citizen Jane, Roaring Timber, Folk Arts Quartet, and Balfolk Toronto.

Lea is the Artistic Director of World on a String, a Toronto-based Folk Fiddle Collective and Music School, presenting concerts, jams, and group classes for fiddlers of all ages. WOS puts focus on traditional folk tunes from around the world, facilitating workshop connections with experts in their respective traditions. Lea is in demand as a workshop clinician, arranger, and classroom teacher, in communities across the continent.

 
 
 

KRISTINA LEESIK:
(Fiddle / Song)

From Stockholm, Sweden, Kristina Leesik is a renowned fiddle player, singer, teacher and composer.

She has a BA in Swedish Traditional Music from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, and a Master’s Degree in Traditional Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  Currently based in Glasgow, she performs in award-winning bands including Woodlands, Woodlands Bäckafall, Tern, ANEMARA, Cuan a Tuath and Slängpolskekompaniet.

Kristina has received the prestigious silver badge Zornmärket, awarded to prominent folk musicians in Sweden, and has earned the title of Rikspelman, master of Swedish traditional music. She will be teaching Swedish fiddle tunes with a focus on bowing, ornamentation, and groove.

 

JUSTYNA KRZYŻANOWSKA:
(Harp / Song)

From Stockholm, Sweden, Justyna Krzyżanowska is a highly-accomplished harpist, singer and composer.

She holds a BA in Classical Music from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and a Master’s Degree in Traditional Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  She is the recipient of several scholarships including Kungl. Musikaliska Akademiens Nationella Stipendium and Gålöstipendiet.  She performs in award-winning bands including Woodlands, Woodlands Bäckafall, ANEMARA, and Flora and Fauna.

Justyna has an interest in a range of musical styles, which is reflected in her innovative approach to playing harp, heavily characterized by rhythm and groove.

 
 
 

MICHAEL BURNYEAT:
(Fiddle)

Michael Burnyeat is a Vancouver-based fiddler, two-time BC Fiddle Champion, and seven-time finalist at the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Contest. He is the co-founder of the UBC Fiddle Club and The Open Door Fiddlers youth group, and is an in-demand music instructor.

He has released four solo albums, most recently Saltchuck (2025), on Daniel Lapp’s Woodbox Records. As a performer, he has shared the stage with artists such as David Francey, JigJam, and Iona Fyfe, and has appeared at major festivals and venues. He remains an active presence in Vancouver’s traditional and folk music scene.

In 2024, Michael completed a 366 Days of Fiddle Tunes project on his YouTube channel.

 
 

JENNIFER MAUEL:
(Guitar)

Jennifer Mauel is a guitarist and singer-songwriter based on the West Coast of Canada. Growing up, Jennifer was immersed in Celtic folk music and developed a passion for guitar accompaniment for traditional fiddle music.  This led her to spend time living in Glasgow, Scotland where she learned from the best and brightest of the vibrant Scottish folk scene.

Jennifer will be teaching Guitar Accompaniment, exploring chord voicings and strumming patterns in Celtic music.

 
 

Testimonials:

“…Fabulous musicians and excellent teachers!  I learned a ton from them and it was a joyful experience.” — Janice

“…Exquisitely talented and professional! Their delightful personalities create a pleasant atmosphere and they are positive and accepting of all making them great teachers!!” — Nanette

“Jocelyn teaches tunes in an engaging, organic way!  We felt part of the process step by step as we learnt the nuts and bolts then created a polished finale. It is rare that such a talented performer is also an excellent teacher.” —
Louise

 

 

Registration

 

 

To sign-up, please fill out the form below.

Feel free to contact info@jocelynpettit.com with any questions.