Clay Rose writes songs, he also writes his phone number on bathroom stalls. Occasionally, he will even write a futile, revolutionary sentiment on a Starbucks window. But mostly, he writes about the dream as he sees it. Sometimes it’s cherries; sometimes it’s horror. But through it all, there is the dreamer. Therefore, Clay learned to write, while lucidly dreaming his way through life. He strongly encourages you to do the same. ~Clay

“I’m constantly learning about the art of life and songwriting.  One thing I know is the richness of life’s experiences is to songwriting as butter is to a French cook.  Interacting with the analogue world and with human nature and nature itself are midst requisites.  Let’s uncover some songs, or at the very least some intention based launch points.” ~Dan

Colorado singer-songwriter Alexa Wildish grew up in a musical family in Southern California, studying classical voice from age seven. A transformative experience at 17, when she saw The Wailin’ Jennys perform, inspired her to transition from musical theatre to Americana, leading her to embrace songwriting and learn guitar and octave mandolin. In 2020, Wildish released her self-titled debut EP, quickly establishing herself as a standout in Americana and earning first place at Planet Bluegrass’s emerging singer-songwriter competition. Co-produced by Dan Knobler and Russell Durham, the EP features collaborations with notable musicians and highlights her pristine voice, often compared to Alison Krauss and Eva Cassidy. Her latest EP, After Love, follows her celebrated run on NBC’s The Voice in 2023 and showcases her ambitious approach to the cover song genre. The first single, “everything i wanted,” reimagines Billie Eilish’s hit as an ethereal folk piece. Wildish also offers bold interpretations of Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” country classic “I’m No Stranger to the Rain,” and songs by Cher, Brandi Carlile, and Fleetwood Mac. With a talent for capturing the heart of a song, Wildish infuses her covers with fresh perspectives and emotional depth. After Love stands as a lush tribute to the art of cover songs, showcasing her vocal mastery and poetic sensitivity. When not performing live or touring, Wildish resides in Lyons, Colorado, where she inspires people of all ages as a vocal coach, helping them uncover the magic of their own voices.

“Everyone has a story to tell and that story can be delivered in a song. Sometimes the music is the starting point, other times the words tell you what the song will sound like. Either way, the goal is to take the seed of inspiration and put it in the right setting and nurture it to grow into something that you’re excited to share with others." ~Charlie

“Every song has a story, every story has a song, and every guitar has a voice that wants to sing along.” ~Jason I'll be hosting the guitar workshop focusing on accompaniment and various ways the guitar can be used to support songs and songwriting. We'll look at aspects of technique and ways to challenge ourselves to break out of our patterns and find new ways to approach the guitar through a songs point of view. Looking forward to it!!

Nadine started the Upstream Songwriting Retreat in 2019 from a desire to create a forum for diving into songwriting with other creatives and a profound desire to work with Clay Rose. She wrote her first song on a road trip from Chicago to Dyersburg, Tennessee when she was 4 years old and has been performing since she was 8. She also produces SnowyGrass Music Festival