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Dear Rob - Dear Johnny!
WOW - is the right expression to this Guitar Camp in Spain!
Even for me as a Guitar teacher - I learned so much from You Rob - just great!
I went home Sunday Midnight and I have been teaching again since Monday and used different things: scales, chords, counting etc with my students and could give the motivation further on to my students!
I am also looking forward to our gig at "Funky Friday" with our band: LöFönk this friday to play in the style that I've learned from You - Rob - in this last week - Thank You so much!!

Further on I would like to thank You - Johnny - for the hospitality in Your house in Spain! You let us "grown up students" ;-) feel like being home! All the stories about concerts, touring on every dinner and also in between in the kitchen or at the Pool were so interessting!!

I am sure coming back!

Yours, Per

I am a second offender and I can honestly confirm that the second time was as good and as fresh like the first time.
Johnny, Rob and the two Lauras (cooks) are taking care of yourself in order to make this week one to remember for a lifetime. The camp is not only about guitar playing. It is so much more. Every time I went home with new friends (yes I still keep contact with the first group), lots of memories, stories, one or two kilos more due to the fantastic food and big grin on my face from all the laughters during the camp.
It is a week where you can leave everything behind and you emerge fully into just a great time.
As a bonus the scenery in the hills of Sierra Nevada with the house and the pool will put you in a mood of total relaxation.
The camaraderie among the participants is just great. Everyone is supporting each other no matter what level you are on with your playing. You will not only learn from Rob but also from the other participants.
I have never seen anybody leaving the room after either the one to one lessons or the group sessions without a smile and expression of satisfaction.
So the question is would I go a 3rd time?
ABSOLUTELY!
Therefore see you again at the Rob Harris Guitar Camp in Monachil.

Ok friends, if you are interested in one of the camps and are not sure yet, do yourself a favour: don't think too much about it, just do it. You won't regret it at all. As soon as I arrived, I realized that this was going to be a very special week. And I was right. In fact, it turned out to be an unforgettable week.

Johnny is a fantastic host who is really focused on ensuring that each and every person has a good time and that nothing is missing. His home automatically becomes your own home and you immediately feel comfortable. The house and the location is just beautiful, the view and the location magical and inspiring.

The sessions with Rob: inspiring, challenging and motivating. It's just fun to experience this boundless passion for the instrument and for teaching. Also, of course, to see him play. Rob has the ability of incredible patience to articulate everything in an understandable way and to recognize your weak points. I can only emphasize that it really helped me a lot in the short term and continues to motivate me enormously. I also like his sense of humor, the stories and the fact that he really never tires of getting asked many questions. He takes responsibility for why you're at camp - as does Johnny.

The other gentlemen at my camp were a stunner too. From the start at the airport I had the feeling that it all really fitted together very well. 6 different characters but somehow a really good group together. Felt like living' with my best mates in a wonderful location for one week. I'm still flashed and hope we can meet again one day or maybe even plan a little reunion. I enjoyed chatting with them, listening to them and learning from them. At all: hanging with them.

To be honest, personally my week was marked by a lot of bad luck. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed being there. I still miss the relaxed splashing of the pool, the first coffee with a view of the serpentines and the great desire to pick up my guitar. Hold on... the desire stayed. It even got stronger ;) Anyway, it all has to do with the above components. Each person contributes a great deal to my wonderful experience and I am very grateful for that. That's why it's easy for me to recommend the camps to all of you to wish you a good time. Have a good time and if you want, send us a few impressions via Instagram.

Johnny, Thanks for everything You have helped me a lot. Rob, thank you for letting me learn from you and ignite another fire inside me.

Manuel

I've always been a bit wary of these sorts of things — but having been stuck at the intermediate plateau for several years, I figured that I had nothing to lose (worst case: I just practice my instrument all week).

EMC are really keen to foster a positive, non-competitive environment, and in my experience they managed that wonderfully. The other musicians on the course ran from full-time professional musicians to hobbyists, and no-one was made to feel that their musical aspirations were invalid — or out of reach.

Each day we'd have breakfast, then have a 1:1 lesson with our instructor Rob, who was brimming with musical knowledge and enthusiasm for the instrument. Every session I would pepper him with questions, and then afterwards head out by the pool to write up my notes and start practicing! Once the 1:1s were over for the day, we would all convene for group sessions (eventually culminating with a track we recorded together).

Normally there would be a couple of excursions during the week, but unseasonably poor weather meant that we just had extra instructor time (oh no)!

Dinner each night was provided (aside from one evening where we ventured to a cool bar/restaurant for pizza), and the two cooks who made our dinner did an incredible job of keeping us delighted with a varied menu.

As if that weren't enough, our host Johnny was an absolute delight. Not only did we feel thoroughly looked after, but Johnny himself is a very accomplished professional musician and delivered sessions on effective practicing and cognitive learning strategies which have opened up brand new avenues for me to incoporate all the new knowledge I received during the sessions with Rob.

So, is a visit to EMC right for you? Well, if you love your instrument and the idea of spending a week in a beautiful villa with constant tuition, wonderful people, great food and a vast supply of rock n' roll stories appeals, then yes absolutely. I genuinely feel it was a profoundly life-changing week for me, and I'm grateful to have had this opportunity

Top tip: if you want to see pure joy in human form, make sure to play "Live and in Living Colour" by Tower of Power in front of Johnny.

Thanks to Johnny, Rob, the team at EMC and the amazing folks I attended the camp with for one incredible experience <3

I went to the Rob Harris Guitar Camp in May ‘22 and had an amazing time. I learnt so much more than I expected not just about playing the guitar but also about, working as a session musician, songwriting and recording techniques, lots of industry tips and many many many jokes, stories and anecdotes from both Rob and our host Johnny. I’d recommend this camp to anyone wanting to improve as a musician regardless of their level. The other campers were super kind and supportive, the food and drink were wonderful and all in a breathtaking setting in the mountains. I came away inspired and fired up to become a better musician.

Having just returned from the first EMC Guitar Camp of 2022, all I can say is don't hesitate to book on the forthcoming sessions, if you get the chance. I will confess that I was apprehensive regards my level of skill, but quite honestly it just doesn't matter. Rob Harris Harris is not only a fantastic guitarist, he is also a great bloke. He patiently observed my playing and began to work on several small changes that would a real difference. Starting each day with an individual one to one lesson, followed by a group lesson in the afternoon.
Johnny Thirkell and his wife Angie were magnificent hosts. From the moment you book, to arriving home, Johnny does everything to ensure you are looked after. Cortijo La Mata can only be described as blissful, ideally situated in a peaceful area of Monachil, with the most peaceful of views.
Each evening started with a multiple course meal, cooked by the talented Laura, during which the wine and entertaining stories would flow. Midweek we enjoyed a walk around the Sierra Nevada National Park in which Cortijo La Mata is located. On Thursday evening, we visited the fascinating city of Granada, enjoying a good meal overlooking the Alhambra Palace. You leave the week with enhanced skills, new friends and a real sense of satisfaction.
Definitely recommended.

Thank You Johnny, Rob, Angie and Laura for a cracking week I will never forget. Hope to see you again in the future xx

What a fantastic week we had in Monachil. Beforehand there was the tension whether I was good enough to be taught by Paul Turner, had I practiced enough, would the week be for me? But from the moment I met my fellow classmates and Paul at the airport, the ice was broken.

What followed were days that went from morning to night dedicated to music, practicing, talking about practicing, exchanging experiences, jamming. There were daily group lessons and individual blocks, with the indefatigable Paul. And in between there was the care for the inner man by John, supported in the evening by Laura with delicious dinners.

What an experience to work for a week in an enthusiastic group and at your own level to improve your musical skills. Paul and John really made everyone feel safe and confident to try new things, practice, make mistakes and learn from them.

The accommodations, the hiking in the area, the curriculum, the very kind guidance by Paul and John, the delicious food and drinks, the casual atmosphere, the fun group. The days were intensive, but it was worth every second!



I couldn't have wished for a better place to spend a week learning how to play bass better and feeling like a bit of a musician.

Paul and John, thank you for this unforgettable experience!

Anything I say, is not enough to express how incredible this experience was…

First of all Johnny did an incredible job organising everything and to make everyone feel at home. From the beginning he dealt straight away and was prompt in replying with any questions or anything that we needed that made us feel very relaxed and that everything was taken care of.

The week had a perfect mixture of learning and also doing enjoyable things and activities but in a very relaxed way.

Paul was an incredible tutor and took a lot of care in planning the group lessons and also the individual lessons tailored to the needs of each one of us. Always in a relaxed and fun environment and with his excellent humour and expertise, I enjoyed every second of the lessons.

At night after we were offered an incredible meal by the cook Laura and we would enjoy talking about music and all the amazing stories from all the years of playing and meeting so many artists.

All in all it was one of the best experiences in one of the nicest parts of Spain with amazing people and I enjoyed every single second of it!

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested!

When you book a place on any training course there always the nagging doubt in the back of your mind as to whether or not it will live up to your expectations. Elite Music Camps was no different but the reality is that it will surpass all of your expectations.

Not only do they have access to the very best players in the business, they actually deliver a course that over delivers in just about every element possible. From the moment you make an initial enquiry you realise that your enjoyment is the top priority for Johnny Thirkell who organises the camps. His efficient, detailed and polite responses full of information and facts are really useful right off the bat.
Once you make the commitment to go, it just gets better and better, you are given help and advise on everything from transfers, flights, accommodation and even menu and dietary requirements and of course the playing and learning.

Needless to say learning with Paul Turner is always going to be the highlight, he is a consumate professional, down to earth, humble, a great player and an even better teacher. You will learn so much from him but even better than that, he gives you what you need to go away and help you become a better player. There is no "miracle cure" that turns you into a player like Paul overnight but he does have a great ability to see your strengths work on those bit also identify the areas where you can make improvements.

I found the group learning sessions very inspiring, we had a broad range of abilities on our camp and there was something for everyone in these sessions. Of course, what could be better than disecting the lines of players like Bernard Edwards and learning each and every note in your favourite basslines!
However, your learning is not restricted to these sessions or your one to one lessons each day, I found inspiration from my course mates both in terms of playing, technique and theory but also in new music to listen to as we all shared a deep love of funk, jazz-funk and bass inspiring music!

At the camp you can completely indulge yourself in everything bass from strings and tone to amps, DI boes and recording software. It's like nothing you have experienced before!

The house is beautiful, very big and very relaxing. Johnny Thirkell is the best host you could ask for and the food and drink never ending - my expanded waistline is a testament to that! I loved the hike into the Sierra Nevada and also the stunning meal that we had overlooking the magnificent Alhambra in Granada also the Flintstone sized steak too - all hugely memorable.

The camp will allow you to learn in a relaxed and collaborative environment, spend time with one of the best bass players around and really concentrate on your playing. In addition to this the stories and anecdotes from both Paul and Johnny about the music business are absolutey priceless and highly, highly entertaining - honestly something that money can't buy (normally).

Book a space for the next camp, you will love it - it's worth every penny and so, so much more.

It is difficult to do justice to just how good this experience was.

To start, Johnny Thirkell did an exceptional job at organising the week. He responded quickly to questions well in advance of the camp, and with the uncertainties around Covid-19 kept us all up to date with relevant news and updates. Flying out and liaising with the other bassists wasn't a bother in the slightest as we were quickly swept up at the airport and transported to the villa.

Johnny was an exceptional host throughout the week, and he ensured all on the camp were suitably looked after. If anything additional was needed, you'd only need to ask Johnny before he would immediately try to sort something out for you.

Experience and ability are completely irrelevant and the group sessions are set up to encourage everybody to contribute as best as they can in a non-competitive manner. With respect to the individual tutoring, Paul was an excellent teacher. No matter your level, he seems to have a knack of identifying areas to work and improve on. He patiently showed me through various exercises I can go away and practice, and encouraged me to expand on my playing in a positive, fun way. He is also adaptable to your suggestions if there is something specific you would like to improve on.

Both Paul and Johnny have unending stories and anecdotes about their time in the music industry. They are wonderful people with wit, humour and a friendly down-to-earth nature that really put us all at ease and helped us to fully enjoy ourselves and learn. The evenings were spent with talks ranging from cognitive learning tips to various experiences of the music industry. This downtime was just as valuable as the formal lessons.

The additional activities, whether that be hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, or dining in view of the Alhambra, were excellently organised and would be worth a visit for their own sake.

At its core, the camp is about musicians sharing knowledge, improving as players, and having a good time. It really is a phenomenal experience.

Every aspect about my week spent in Monachil went above and beyond any expectations that I had before arriving. The location in the rustic Sierra Nevada mountains, the delicious locally cooked homemade meals, the accommodation (especially the view from the yoga platform!), the friendliness of the other guests, and above all, the graciousness of John and Paul in making everyone feel comfortable and at home in creating a nice informal atmosphere.

There was a mix of abilities among the bass group, but Paul’s easy-going character and articulate teaching methods made everyone feel comfortable and we could all leave each lesson having learned a lot. The one-on-one lessons were a great opportunity to pick the brain of someone who has been working in the top levels of the music industry for decades. Big kudos to Paul for really putting in a long shift each day and ensuring that everyone had their time with him.

The afternoon walk in the Sierra Nevada mountains and evening trip to Granada were the perfect complements to a week of bass and music and helped to fend off any possibility of bass-overload! John’s talk about efficient practice routines and his interest in cognitive learning offered some nice bonus material on top of the bass practice.

If I had to choose a best part of the week, it would be the opportunity of getting to hang with lovely people and hearing about the life experiences of two top level pros over a glass or two of tasty wine! Thank you John and Paul.

It's been an amazing week. Paul's courses were very clear. I also loved John's approach of music (cognitive sciences and philosophy). Great satisfaction, even concerning the house and the lovely surroundings!

What an incredible experience!

A completely unique opportunity to spend a week playing and learning guitar. Rob Harris is an exceptional tutor, handling both the mixed ability group lessons and 121s with complete aplomb. To spend so much time with someone who works at the highest level in the industry was a once in a lifetime experience and his ability to connect with every student was seriously impressive.

Johnny’s hosting and organisation both before and during the camp was spot in and made the whole experience seamless and an absolute pleasure….going above and beyond to provide help and assistance in a strange time for travel! Listening to anecdotes and stories from both Rob and Johnny was a real highlight for all attendees too and they really helped create a relaxed, informal vibe where everyone was comfortable and valued.

The house is traditional and beautiful, and kept extremely clean. The setting is majestic and helps to enhance the whole experience.

And Laura’s cooking is worth the trip alone. Authentic Spanish home style cooking, clearly cooked from the heart.

I cannot recommend this experience highly enough and would return again and again if I had the chance to do so.

Great Camp
I really want to come back next year.
Rob Harris was a perfect humble/polite teacher that took a lot of time for any individiual student. Johnny is a brilliant host and Laura a great cook
It does not get any better
Worth every penny

Where to start? An exceptionally unique experience that overdelivers in every regard.

Johnny is a fantastic host, genial, generous and hilarious. Great food, great company, and great views are the norm at EMC.

Rob Harris’ guitar tuition is intelligent, accommodating and has breathed new life into my own practice. Despite a group of mixed abilities, the group sessions are inclusive and 1-2-1s are bespoke and tailored to the individual.

It’s an accommodating atmosphere and non-competitive, which helps everyone forge strong bonds. Throw in excursions into the stunning surrounding countryside and Granada itself, as well as an endless supply of engrossing stories from the music biz courtesy of our hosts, and it’s hard to find a fault.

In fact, the one fault is that it had to end. See you again soon guys!!

One of the best weeks of my life.

I was lucky to be part of the Elite Music Camps for the second Guitar week 2021 with Rob Harris. It was an amazing experience, I got to learn so much and Johnny couldn't have been a better host. I would 10/10 recommend.

This was my first time at Elite Music Camps and what an exceptional week it was. From the moment we arrived we were welcomed by Johnny and Rob and made to feel very welcome and very much at home, or as the Spanish would say "mi casa es su casa".

The accommodation was excellent, as was the hosting and the food. Nothing was too much trouble.

The guitar instruction from Rob was first class, with a mixture of group sessions and then 1 to 1 lessons. It was the perfect balance without being too intense. Everyone in the group brought something to the table and were supportive of all the other players leading to a friendly, non-competitive environment.

When not playing, there were plenty of places to simply relax and enjoy the holiday. There was no pressure to practice or do 'homework', although we were supplied with the means to do this if we wanted. We also had an afternoon excursion to explore the local area and a fab night out in Granada.

The icing on the cake were all the little anecdotes from Johnny and Rob about their time in the music business but what was told on the EMC camp, stays on the EMC camp. If you want to know the stories, you will just have to book on a camp for yourselves!!

It's nearly impossible to put a monetary value on a week in Granada at Elite Music Camp. It's so much more than just music lessons. It's an all encompassing experience where you are whisked away from the real world to recharge your batteries, eat amazing food, venture through the Andalusian mountains, laugh and listen to fascinating stories, all while being taught by some of the best musicians in the world. Rob and Johnny are two of the most down to earth and kind people I've ever met, they really made it easy to relax and feel comfortable while there.
As a professional player Rob was a huge help in guiding me on the right path to take my career to the next level. Likewise Johnny was a mine of information on how to navigate the business side of the industry and get the most out of it.
A trip I will never forget and will always look back on with fond memories!
Karl

What a fantastic experience! Horn Camp takes place in a beautiful secluded villa with lovely views of the Sierra Nevada. On arrival, Johnny immediately made us feel at home, introducing us both to the kitchen and the well stocked drinks fridge, before we took out our instruments for our first blow.

The food was delicious. Dinner was cooked by two local ladies (Laura and Laura) and could not be faulted either in quality or quantity. Dinner was followed by the chance to relax and chat over a drink or two.

As for the music tuition, it was an unbelievable opportunity to spend a week in small group with a top class saxophone player. Snake covered a wide range of material from breathing exercises to improvisation, all of which can be brought home and incorporated into practice.

I loved everything about this week and didn’t want it to end!

As the least experienced sax player in the group, I had a momentary crisis of confidence after booking. Johnny quickly assuaged me of this and encouraged me to come and learn. I am SO glad I did. Having the opportunity to learn and play in such a small group, led by world class musicians like Snake and Johnny was something of an experience of a lifetime for me. And where my inexperience or lack of knowledge showed, it pushed me to endeavour when I came home. Others have mentioned the beautiful villa, incredible setting and wonderful hospitality.

But for me, it was as much about meeting the wonderful people who joined the group, having such a good laugh, never feeling judged and only encouraged. Hearing others play, pushing my own abilities further than I realised I could. It is the most Zen I have felt in a really long time. It was those things that made this super special and not like a perfunctory learning environment.

This is one of the best things I have ever done. I came back with a structured plan and knowing where I need to improve in sound, technique and theory - all great things to keep me working towards. Thank you Johnny and Snake. Like everyone else, I dearly hope to come back and hear more of Johnny’s jokes next year!