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REGISTRATION Coming Soon!
Seabreeze SongLab 2026

Hopkins, Belize.  November 10 – 17, 2026
An Acoustic Music, Songwriting, and Creativity Week

Unlock your creativity where the Caribbean Sea meets Garifuna culture.
Join Heron’s Haunt collaborators, instructors, and students from around the globe for a transformative week-long songwriting and mindful movement retreat in the vibrant coastal village of Hopkins, Belize. Surrounded by swaying palms, turquoise waters, and rich musical traditions, you’ll deepen your craft with daily instruction from master songwriters, expand your creative flow through mindful movement practices, and find inspiration in one of the friendliest communities in the country.

 

Seabreeze SongLab is a week-long creative immersion blending songwriting, mindful movement, Belizean culture, and community connection.

 

You’ll stay in cozy tiny homes in or very near Vanilla Bean Inn, enjoy fresh Belizean meals prepared on site, and learn in an intimate cohort of only 8–10 students—ensuring mentorship, community, and space to explore your own creative soul.

 

Evenings feature student showcases, including final-night celebrations at Play Bar, open to the public with full sound system support. Between sessions, you may nap, float in the sea, collaborate with peers, or wander Hopkins’ colorful village, resorts, and beachfront.

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Whether you’re a new writer or a seasoned musician seeking renewal, this retreat blends creativity, culture, and wellbeing into an unforgettable, soul-nourishing week.

 

 Create. Connect. Flow. Belize awaits.

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Primary Instructors

Rachel Harrington

Reared among the pines of Oregon, singer-songwriter Rachel Harrington has released seven studio albums to date. Her records have charted #1 on the Euro-Americana Chart, #5 on the US Folk Chart, and Top-20 on the Americana Music Chart. Harrington’s songwriting has earned recognition from contests at Merlefest, Falcon Ridge, Sisters, Telluride, and Belfast/Nashville. Rachel’s prose and poetry have been published in The Sun, The Raven Chronicles (Hugo House), Mountain Bluebird Magazine, and The Flyfish Journal.

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As a sixth generation Oregonian, Harrington feels a strong connection to place and to creating music that captures some of the stories and heritage of The West. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Studies of the American West from WWU in Bellingham, Washington, and a self-designed Master's in Environmental Conflict Resolution from NAU in Flagstaff, Arizona. Styles often include the heritage of Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, and Americana, Folk, and Country legends like Guy Clarke, Gillian Welch, and Townes Van Zandt.

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Harrington is also an ordained minister, author, certified yoga instructor, licensed massage therapist, certified beekeeper, and master gardener. When not touring, she now calls Vancouver Washington home with her spouse, three dogs, and about 250,000 bees. She 's been teaching songwriting for several years in various formats, and has developed strong curriculum from many of the current masters to share with all levels of students. 

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Wyatt Espalin​

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Wyatt Espalin is an award-winning singer-songwriter, fiddler, and storyteller whose music captures the raw beauty of his Appalachian roots. Raised on a rustic campground in North Georgia by his maternal grandparents, Wyatt's musical journey began with his championship-winning clogging and Appalachian buck-dancing before evolving into a passion for songwriting and performances adding a fresh voice to the alternative-folk scene.

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His artistry has been recognized through numerous accolades, including winning the 2014 LEAF. Festival New Song Singer-Songwriter Competition and placing as a finalist in prestigious events such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Competition, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, and Eddie's Attic Bi-Annual Open Mic Shootouts. Wyatt has also shared the stage with an impressive lineup of artists, including the Indigo Girls, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Shawn Mullins, Lorrie Morgan, and Sam Bush, among many others.

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Wyatt's first full album, Lies From A Lonesome Valley, featured his band, The Riverstones, and guest appearances by Amy Ray of Indigo Girls and Grace Pettis. The collection of songs reflects Wyatt's deep introspection on identity, belonging, and the search for home, blending haunting melodies, evocative storytelling, and rich instrumentation.

 

Wyatt initially discovered his love for performing first as a clogger alongside his brother, then as a self-taught fiddler inspired by the traditional sounds of Appalachian music. His journey into songwriting and guitar playing was influenced by a youth minister who composed songs for church gatherings. Over time, Wyatt honed his craft through performances, song schools, festivals, and using music as a form of healing and self-expression. His songs, rich with vivid storytelling and emotional depth, resonate with audiences across the USA, whether performed in a small listening room or on a festival stage.

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Beyond music, Wyatt embraces his Appalachian heritage, enjoying camping, hiking, rafting, and kayaking. His connection to nature and his past continues to shape his artistry, making him a standout voice in contemporary folk and Americana music. In addition to being a compelling performer, he weaves together the threads of his past into music that is both deeply personal and universally moving, and now as an instructor for us and others wanting to learn. â€‹

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Robby Layton

Dr. Robby Layton is an accomplished former business owner, professor, guitar player, singer, songrwriter, in-demand session musician, and producer for music, bands, and recording. He'll add classes with expertise in guitar theory for all levels, arranging for groups, bands, and solo performances, and production elements. 

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Teresa Penbrooke

Dr. Teresa Penbrooke is the creative and collaborative force behind Herons Haunt and the Seabreeze SongLab. After many years of public speaking and on-the-road business consulting and management, health and social science research, and education for universities and a variety of other venues, she emerged as a professional musician, songwriter, and performer traveling around the USA and other countries with bands and as a solo performer. For SongLab she'll add instruction on cultivating wellbeing while creating and traveling, along with hints for maximizing performances and stamina. 

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Contact

Registration and More Info coming soon.  Email info@heronshaunt.org or contact us if you have ideas or questions now. 

+1-303-870-3884 (phone, text, and WhatsApp)

©2023 by Herons Haunt LLC

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