A NEW ENGLAND SUMMER DRUM RETREAT AWAITS YOU…

AUGUST 1-4, 2024

Imagine waking up each day to birdsong in the unique setting of a 350-acre apple orchard, taking a dip in refreshing swimming ponds, soothing your aches in the sauna, and getting ready for fun and inspiring explorations into drumming and rhythm…

It’s time to relax, rejuvenate and immerse yourself in a 3 night / 4-day adventure into frame drumming, wellness and nature.

☀️You will be guided by internationally-recognized teacher and Cooperman-endorsed artist, Marla Leigh, on your journey into the healing magic of this ancient instrument.

☀️We will spend our days learning and savoring 13+ hours of frame drum instruction  (2 classes/beginner & intermediate levels) , global rhythms and improvisation skills in a beautiful setting, complete with breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley, swimming ponds and a petting zoo!

☀️As the sun sets, we will enjoy activities such as shamanic-inspired trance drumming, a special wine & cheese evening with the Cooperman family, a student concert and evening drumming sessions by the fire.

☀️Our retreat ends with a personalized Cooperman Drum workshop tour… and a treasure trove of new skills, friends and memories.

Connect to your soul, to nature and to other rhythm lovers... What could be better?

MUSICAL TREATS: (subject to change) 

• Techniques in the Upright, Lap and Freehand styles 
• Explore improvising and creativity through rhythm!
• Learn trance rhythms from North Africa and the Middle East
• Discover rhythms for playing, teaching and drum circles
• Learn rhythms for meditation, chanting and healing
• Drum with ankle bells to boost your coordination
• Community drumming in an ever-inspiring environment
• (Optional) Take part in our closing student concert

WELLNESS TREATS:

• Give your body some love in our yoga and movement classes
• Relax in the onsite sauna
• Reflect, rest and play among the apple trees
• Cleanse the heart and mind in our shamanic-inspired drumming ritual
• Music, Meditation & Nature hike in the wilderness 
• Learn how to use frame drum for sound healing and meditation

THE RETREAT BASICS:

• YOU: Our retreat is open to all ages, orientations and music levels (including total beginners and the drumless)
• BRING: Don’t forget your walking shoes, warm clothes for the evening, funds for your meals (see more below) and your drums/instruments. 
• Drums will also be provided by Cooperman (and for sale at a 10% discount) 

HOW TO BOOK: SPACE IS LIMITED!
If you hear the call, please join us now… There are a limited number of beds, and we anticipate this retreat to book up quickly!

☀️OPEN TO EVERYONE - ALL LEVELS:
Our retreat is open to all ages, orientations and music levels (including total beginners).

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“One of the best retreats I have been on. I came knowing NOTHING about drumming and left with so much knowledge. Marla is a fantastic teacher, Highly recommended!

– Sara Goodwin,  Psychologist

🥁 4 days/ 3 nights accommodation at Alyson’s Orchard, in three characterful and comfortable New England lodges and a nearby hotel (more details below), plus camping options.

🥁 Daily classes of frame drumming instruction (total 12+ hours of training) and world rhythms. We offer beginner and intermediate-level classes for each main training session.

🥁 Composing and improvising to deepen your skills

🥁 Fun drum compositions to add to your repertoire

🥁 Drum meditations, Shamanic drumming & sound healing to calm body and mind

🥁 Yoga and Middle Eastern Dance Class on a gorgeous 350-acre estate

🥁 Late-night drumming to warm your soul

🥁 Daily free time ~ swimming in the onsite pond, hiking, visits to the onsite petting zoo, jamming with new drum buddies or simply absorbing the beauty around you.

*Retreat is open to men and women of all ages and drum levels.

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PLUS FOUR EXTRA GEMS:

💎  TRY & PLAY COOPERMAN DRUMS FOR FREE
The Cooperman Family are generously sponsoring this event and will be providing a LARGE rack of their beautiful hand-crafted instruments for you to enjoy at the retreat.

💎💎  A 10% DISCOUNT ON ANY COOPERMAN DRUM

If you find one (or several?!) that sings to you, there’s an exclusive 10% RETREAT DISCOUNT (value $40+)

💎💎💎  COOPERMAN DRUMS PRIVATE SHOP TOUR
A private tour of this amazing workshop in Bellow Falls, VT. We will learn more about how their beautiful drums are made.

💎💎💎💎 COOPERMAN ‘AT HOME’  FAMILY MEET & GREET
An exclusive wine & cheese* gathering and a chance to chat with the friendly Cooperman family/team in their hometown of Grafton, VT.
(*Vegan and non-alcoholic options also available). 

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NOTE: If you do not have a car, we will carpool you to the food store & Cooperman excursions. 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED (* PLEASE READ CAREFULLY *):

(1) Flights, airport shuttle and other travel costs (more details on travel below).

(2) FOOD is NOT provided on this retreat.

ABOUT YOUR FOOD OPTIONS:

BREAKFAST & LUNCHES:

You will be responsible for bringing/preparing your breakfasts and lunches (ample communal kitchen space in every lodging).  

There is also a lovely organic food store in Walpole.  We are allowing time in our schedule to go food shopping on Friday morning, BEFORE lessons.  If you do not have a car, we will carpool you there.  

*As time gets closer to the retreat, Barbara (our assistant) will email everyone to find out who needs a ride to the food store.  We promise you will NOT be left without food.

DINNERS:

Thursday and Friday dinners will be at “The Orchard Tavern” at  Alyson's Farm (Pay your own way)

View Tavern menu  

Saturday dinner will be at the Farm-to-table restaurant/cafe MKT in Grafton (Pay your own way)
[Special menu on the night]

NOTE FOR CAMPERS:
You are welcome to prepare meals in the huge kitchen(s) of Rochambeau Lodge (there is also a sauna there for you to enjoy). 

✈️  THE LOCATION (+ HOW & WHEN TO GET THERE)

ABOUT ALYSON’S ORCHARD (Our retreat location)
Experience the ultimate get-away in the heart of historic New England, amidst 350 acres of apple orchard, rolling lawns, breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley and big sunsets. 

Make new four-legged friends at their petting zoo, savor the fresh tastes at their fruit stand, take a dip in their inviting swimming pond and bask in the serenity of so much natural beauty.

We are exclusively renting the three lodges on their estate… A private drum heaven awaits you...

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DATES/TIMES

⏰ CHECK IN & CHECK-OUT TIMES:⏰

CHECK IN:  

✳ Check-in to your room from 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 1
We will sit down for dinner at 6:30 pm

CHECK OUT:
Our retreat ends at 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 4, after our Cooperman workshop tour
.
* EXTENDING YOUR TRIP:
If you want to spend an extra night (or several!), the retreat lodges are unfortunately fully booked, but you can find many nearby airbnbs/hotels. You will need your own car as there are no Ubers or taxis in this area. It is a country oasis. 

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GETTING TO ALYSON’S ORCHARD

NEAREST AIRPORTS:

• Hartford, CT  (if not renting a car, we have a limited airport shuttle service - see (B1) below)
• Boston, MA (car rental only - no shuttle)
  

HOW TO REACH THE RETREAT:

(A) DRIVE OR HIRE A CAR
Due to the rural/remote location, driving (or renting) a car is HIGHLY recommended! 

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(B1) AIRPORT SHUTTLE:  From HARTFORD, CT, to ALYSON’S ORCHARD (11 passengers):
We are organizing a private SHUTTLE  to pick you up from Hartford, CT airport.
The drive is about 1.5 hours from the airport.

We have space only for 11 people, so it is first come, first served.

Shuttle cost:
Between $65-$85 per person, each way (depending on passenger numbers)

SHUTTLE PICK-UP TIME:  August 1, 4:30 pm EST
Please arrive BEFORE 4:30 pm

SHUTTLE DEPARTURE:  August 4, 3:00 pm EST, from Alyson’s Orchard
It is 2 hours from the Cooperman shop to the airport, so please make sure your return flights are for AFTER 7pm.

If you can not find an evening flight, an idea would be to book a hotel at the airport and leave the following morning.

TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THE SHUTTLE:  After you sign up to the Retreat, please email Barbara at summerretreatbarbara@gmail.com   with the header, “Reserve airport shuttle”.

We will be back in touch in July to get your exact arrival/departure dates and shuttle payment. Thank you. 

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(B2) OTHER OPTIONS FROM MANCHESTER AIRPORT (once the shuttle fills up):

~ Rent a car (price varies)
~ Take an Uber (c.$135 per person to Alyson's farm... is only from the airport to Alyson's,  NOT from Cooperman to airport (where we will be on August 4)

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ABOUT COOPERMAN FRAME DRUM COMPANY

Cooperman Co. is based in Bellows Falls, VT, and is one of the leading frame drum makers in the world. Each drum they create is crafted with love, using woods from local forests known for their unique tone qualities and bending characteristics. 

Marla has been an endorsed artist with Cooperman for 10 years and is deeply grateful for their craftsmanship and support in her work and at her Frame Drum Academy. For Marla’s retreat, they are providing a BEAUTIFUL rack of their drums for all participants to try (and purchase at a 10% discount). We are so lucky!

Cooperman’s website:
http://www.cooperman.com

YOUR ACCOMMODATION  ~ 3 OPTIONS

🛌  ONE CLICK TO PARADISE 🛌  We take care of booking the accommodations for you.
All you need to do is choose. Below is just a summary. See our Room packages for further details, pictures and pricing.  

Note: All drum classes will be on the Alyson’s Orchard estate. 

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✳✳✳ OPTION 1: ONSITE ~ 3 PROPERTIES + CAMPING ✳✳✳
Within walking distance of the classes under a big outside tent, we have exclusively rented all three onsite beautiful and SPACIOUS properties for you:

✳ Rochambeau Lodge (with sauna)

✳ Foster House 

✳ Farm Stand Lodge

They are full of character, they all have huge kitchens, living spaces, back decks/outdoor spaces , various bed and room types,  plus a communal fire pit and sauna. Combined, all of these lodges provide sleeping options for up to 24 people, to suit all tastes/needs.
(See more under Room packages).

In addition to the above, there is:

✳ Onsite camping
Bring your own tent camping, with access to the showers and kitchens in the Rochambeau Lodge.

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✳✳✳ OPTION 2: OFFSITE HOTEL (car required)  ✳✳✳

✳ The Hotel (20 min drive)
(See more on this beautiful riverview hotel under Room packages).

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✳✳✳ OPTION 3: NO ACCOMMODATION (car required) ✳✳✳

✳ Workshop-only fee
(organize your own accommodation/travel offsite)

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COMING AS A COUPLE? 

If you are a couple that would like to share a queen bed in a private room for a discounted price, please contact Barbara for more details. summerretreatbarbara@gmail.com 

COMING AS A GROUP OF 3-6 PEOPLE?
There are some lovely onsite cottages and other offsite options.
Please contact Barbara for recommendations. summerretreatbarbara@gmail.com

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TRIP? 

For travel, accommodation, food, and general retreat inquiries, please contact Barbara.

Coming as a group of 3 or more, Barbara can also recommend outside accommodations. 

 
🏖️RETREAT QUESTIONS:🏖️

summerretreatbarbara@gmail.com

*Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Thank you.
We look forward to this magical time together, 

Marla & Cooperman Frame Drums

PS. DON'T MISS THIS BEAT:
We may never offer a retreat like this again, so if you hear the call, come join us this year and enjoy the magic. I promise it will be a magical time...