SPRING WORKSHOP 2026 – REGISTRATION AND PLANNING FOR YOUR EVENT

Wild Acres Retreat, Little Switzerland, NC
April 13–19, 2026

Welcome to the SVA Spring Workshop at WildAcres Retreat! Below are the details for planning your event and registering. Only 20 slots are available — we encourage early registration to reserve your spot.

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

We have a fixed number of rooms available and prefer attendees choose double occupancy so that more people can attend. Rooms have two beds and each has an ensuite bath. If you have a roommate request, please let us know as you register.

Meals are provided by WildAcres throughout the workshop — starting with dinner on the first evening and ending with breakfast on the final morning.

Hotel rooms are also available in the nearby town of Little Switzerland, NC, if you prefer to stay offsite or if onsite rooms fill. We have physical workshop space for about 20 total attendees. Attendees staying offsite should choose the commuter fee option.

(Meals are not included in the commuter rate. You will be able to purchase meals at WildAcres. We will organize this onsite through a daily rate.)

MAKERS CHOICE AWARD COMPETITION

Attendees may enter a violin and a viola in a simple “Makers Choice” award competition. Instruments may be of any age, but entries may not have received awards in any previous competition, SVA or otherwise.

The other attendees will examine entries and vote for best workmanship and tone for both violin and viola. Entries will not be anonymous, and it is unnecessary to cover labels. Attendees may vote for any entry except their own.

Awards will be given for 1st and 2nd place in workmanship and tone for both violin and viola. Entries will be collected on the evening of the competition.

WORKSHOP FEES

The fees include room, meals, workshop costs, and entry of instruments in the Makers Choice Award.

Accommodation Type	Fee
Double Occupancy	$625 (Preferred)
Single	$900 (If available)
Commuter	$225 (Meals not included; lunch cost TBD onsite)

Payment is due by March 1, 2026.

Paying the fees:
After submitting your registration, the Treasurer will send you a PayPal invoice.

If you have questions about fees or need to make special arrangements, reach out to the Treasurer at treasurer@southernviolinassociation.com.

To pay by check, please make it payable to “Southern Violin Association” and mail to:
Jennifer Halenar
186 Chamberlin St.
Nashville, TN 37209

OTHER INFO

Attendees should bring their own projects and tools. Benches will be heavy-duty folding tables with wooden tops. Please bring a piece of wood to protect the tabletop from cuts. A clamp-on light is also recommended.

We also encourage all attendees to participate in the two group-build instruments we will be working on together — two del Gesù “Plowdens”. Tasks may include finishing outlines, arching plates, carving scrolls, varnishing, and more. Please bring tools for the steps you’re most interested in.

If you are traveling by air, bring only essential tools; we will share tools among the group.

We will have several major shared tools available, including a small band saw, sharpening equipment, and large clamps. If you hope for a specific shared tool to be available, please contact Mike Dunham at mikedunham@southernviolinassociation.com.

The weather at this altitude in the Blue Ridge Mountains is typical “early Spring.” It can be warm, cool, wet, or dry, so prepare for a wide range of weather. We will be walking between multiple buildings on the campus.

You must be a member of SVA to attend. Membership dues are $100 for two years. If you are not yet a member, or if your dues have expired, the treasurer will include the dues on your invoice.

If you have additional questions, reach out to info@southernviolinassociation.com.