INFORMATION
The International Songwriting Retreat, unique in Ireland, offers you the chance to explore and hone your songwriting skills, under the expert mentorship of our international team and will take place at the Irish Institute of Music and Song, Ireland’s only purpose-built music campus in August 2026 .
Please note that the retreat is for 18+ only
Hear what last year’s songwriters had to say about their EXPERIENCE
ABOUT
This course is tailored to professional songwriters and serious amateurs who are working towards careers as songwriters and artists. By the end of the course, participants will have a greater understanding of a variety of styles of songwriting from some of the industry’s leading professionals and have built a network of like-minded songwriters.
As well as our mentors who will be resident with our participants for the week, special guests will present each evening, further adding to our participants’ experience of the wider music industry.
Meet our mentors
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We are delighted to welcome Rob Wells back for the 3rd year in a row!
Rob Wells is a multi-platinum, award-winning music producer and songwriter based in Canada.
Wells has worked with Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Serena Ryder, Nick Lachey, Mika, Katharine McPhee, Backstreet Boys, Kai, Paloma Faith, Alex Aiono, Nelly Furtado, Big Time Rush, Mindless Behavior, Cyndi Lauper, Corey Hart, Olivia Newton John, Boyzone, Ronan Keating, Ria Mae, Lights, USS, Frank Walker, Bobby Bazini, Tep No, Victoria Duffield, Keshia Chante, Matt Dusk, Marie-Mai, Marc Dupre, Shiloh, RyanDan and many others.
His work has been featured in numerous films, television shows, commercials and video games worldwide.
With a star on the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame, Rob has appeared as a music producer on Canadian Idol, The House Of Carters & The Next Star. His awards include first place in numerous songwriting competitions, and SOCAN #1 awards with gold, platinum & multi-platinum certifications.
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Also returning for 2026 is the fantastic, Maria Christensen.
Maria is a multi platinum award winning songwriter and artist with hit songs recorded by global artists including Celine Dion, JenniferLopez, N’Sync and many placements in Disney films and TV shows including Girl Meets World (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) and Stuck In The Middle.
Originally from South Florida by way of Pittsburgh, PA, Her strong voice caught the ear of Grammy award winning producer Ric Wake, who produced such artists as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Taylor Dane and moved her to New York to record with him. The result was her self-titled album on Atlantic Records.
At that time she co wrote with some of the most successful songwriters in New York and she honed her own skills as a songwriter and began to place songs with many successful artists. This lead to a publishing deal with “Notation Music Publishing”.
Her songs have been recorded by artists including Celine Dion (“Just a Little Bit of Love” and “Christmas Eve”) both on which she also lent backing vocals, and N’SYNC (“The Only Gift”).
Later she was signed to A&M Records as the lead singer of the group 3rd Party for which she co-wrote the song “Waiting for Tonight” with TSA mentor Michael Garvin. The song went on to become a top 5 Billboard charting worldwide hit for Jennifer Lopez.
Her music can also be heard in films and TV. shows such as Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Drumline, Kiss me Guido and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Recently she placed two songs on the hit Disney film Lemonade Mouth. From there she cultivated a relationship that resulted with song placements in other Disney TV shows such as Austin and Ally and Jessie.
Her Christmas song “Favorite Time of Year” was feature at the Macy’s Day parade last year as performed by Debby Ryan.
She also wrote the theme song for Disney’s hit TV show Girl Meets World, called Take on The World and current has the single Lucky Me with up coming young country artist Tegan Marie, She recently landed the theme song for new Disney show Stuck in the Middle.
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Stay tuned - more details to follow!
What to Expect
Mentorship
One-to-one sessions with internationally-acclaimed songwriting experts.
Education
Learn the art of lyrics, recording, production and how to collaborate with other artists as well as essential music business skills.
Participate in guest speaker series at The Lark Concert Hall.
Community
Meet like-minded musicians and song-writers from all over the world and form future collaborations.
Collaboration
Work on your own material as well as writing to briefs with your peer songwriters.
Performance
Perform live and record audio & video in the Lark Concert Hall of your own songs.
All-inclusive
Access to writing, practice & rehearsal rooms on the IIMS Campus.
6 nights accommodation in our Japanese-Style Shared Accommodation Bedford Quarters.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for the duration of your stay from the La-La Cafe & Restaurant.
Sample schedule
COURSE FEES
Choose from three packages:
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€1,100
Includes:
Full course, mentorship, workshops, writing time and writing space
Evening guest talks
Two, 30 minute 1-1 sessions with mentors of your choice
Full use of IIMS Campus Canteen
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with peer songwriters/ mentors at the La-La Café available as an optional supplement.
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€1,400
Includes
6-Night Shared Room Accommodation in on-site Japanese Style Pod Rooms
Full course, mentorship, workshops, writing time and writing space
Evening guest talks
Two, 30 minute 1-1 sessions with mentors of your choice
Full use of IIMS Campus Canteen
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with peer songwriters/ mentors at the La-La Café available as an optional supplement.
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€1,650
Includes
6-Night Shared Room Accommodation in on-site Japanese Style Pod Rooms
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner with peer songwriters/ mentors at the La-La Café
Full course, mentorship, workshops, writing time and writing space
Evening guest talks
Two, 30 minute 1-1 sessions with mentors of your choice
Full use of IIMS Campus Canteen
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Item descriptionEarly bird rates*(Pay in full before Friday, 27th March):
Package 1: €890
Package 2: €1,190
Package 3: €1,440
*Early bird rates are subject to availability
