Meet your 2023 February Guest Speakers, writers and producers.. Abel Soto and Ryan Chew are some fun people who love Jesus and music and their talent is astounding! You will not regret coming to Florida just to write with these two!.
Abel Soto is a Nashville Songwriter and Producer who will be co-writing with us and fully producing out some demos for each retreat guest -this is included in the retreat cost! He also will be sharing about producing for those interested in growing in this area! Abel is an experienced drummer as well as several other instruments and has studied under some top Nashville producers and Songwriters.
Meet Songwriter, indie artist, worship leader and producer Ryan Chew who is currently the worship Pastor at New Life Alexandria. He's shared the stage with some popular worship groups/artists like Maverick City Music, Upper Room, Kierra Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbett and others. Ryan studied songwriting and production at Berklee School of Music. He recently released an EP entitled "Nothing Left" made to be used as a tool for people to worship wherever they are. His goal for the music he makes is for people to be encouraged and experience Jesus in their everyday lives. He has plans to release another EP next year. His days are jam-packed with ministry and he leads worship nights in his city uniting churches together to glorify God.
Ryan Chew and Joy Dame have a co-written song ( sung by Ryan and his church) that God has used to reach over 40,000 in a few wks on Ryan's YouTube called "Bread of Life" which released Jan 6th on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple. Several more coming for the glory of God!
Meet your host..Joy Dame (here's her story)https://nashvillevoyager.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-joy-dame-of-murfreesboro-brentwoodfranklin-and-mt-juliet/ http://www.joydamemusic.com http://www.instagram.com/joydamemusic is multi-genre songwriter who started writing on the mission field in France for youth camps and multi-church events and sharing in music ministry. She has a heart for connecting like-minded artists in co-writes to bring God glory.(see website above for more details on what GOD is doing.) She is a Christian Artist and worship leader in Tampa, FL and commutes often to Nashville to write with others and work on her own projects. Joy recently had a song she co-wrote with another artist/songwriter get chosen out of 1500 submissions to be produced by Grammy winning producer X'OConner of "King and Country" She has intensely studied songwriting for the past 3 years and is currently studying with Nashville's Full Circle Music. Her goal is to serve artists and follow Christ in reaching the world with the gospel through music and edifying the church through helping artists.
SAMPLE FLORIDA Retreat Schedule: subject to change . Luches/ dinners will be flexible depending on when the group wants to visit downtown. (ie. if lunch is on our free time, dinner will be provided at the vrbo housing that evening. Two meals a day are provided. (We've scouted a couple great places to eat in St. Augustine( ie. tripadvisors #2 best pizza in the nation! it's amazing)
Guests can plan to meet up anytime during the day Friday but official check in will be around 4pm and whenever you fly or drive in .. join in the fun! DM if Flying for advice on airports and transportation.
Rough Schedule Ideas.. TBD
Thursday-Optional extra pm(vrbo open for those driving or flying in..$60 extra each night for Thursday or Sunday)Uber is available from the Jacksonville airport but there will be 1 trip Fri afternoon and Monday 8:30 am.. (possibly Sunday). feel free to reach out for details and retreat staff will help where we can. Friday you can enjoy the beach, cowrite with others or sightsee! there will be a few there already.
Friday 4 pm check in TBD Official Start Time.., 4:30 til 9pm fellowship/tourism, cowrite #1, dinner etc..
Fri 9:00-9:30breakfast, 9:30 worship, 9:50-10:20 session( writing worship by Ryan Chew) /10:30-1:30 cowrite #2, lunch in town
2-5 cowrite #..5:30 session( production tips with Abel Soto) 6:30 dinner at vrbo, free time/cowrites ,8:00 songshare /writers round?
Sat 9:00-9:30breakfast, 9:30 worship and prayer, 9:50-10:30 session /10:30-1:30 cowrite #3, lunch
2-5, cowrite#4/free time 6:30 dinner downtown or vrbo, cowrites, session, sharing( scheduling to come later)
Sun- noon Church on the Beach, group worship co-writing, lunch and afternoon in St Augustine together co-writing/Tourism/beach etc. for those wanting to stay. (Possible Jax airport drop in afternoon if several need)
Sunday pm -optional extra vrbo night ($60 per person)
Monday 8:30 am Jax airport drop.
RETREAT COST of $500 COVERS vrbo stay and entire retreat THURS 4PM until SUN 2 or 3 pm..with 2 meals a day.
extra nights/days and airport trips are for the convenience of those driving/flying in to enjoy the area and company more.. =)