PROGRAM

21st Thomas Leeb Acoustic Guitar Boot Camp – July 5th – 11th 2025

We are proud to offer the premier residential acoustic guitar camp on the planet! For our 21st anniversary, we have another stellar line-up of instructors: Thomas Leeb, Don Ross, Petteri Sariola, Randy Lutge and more. People from all walks of life from all over the world converge on the small village in the Austrian Alps for a week of intense and good-natured high-altitude training for guitarists.

This event traditionally sells out fast, so please book early to avoid disappointment.


BOOK YOUR SPACE NOW

STUDENTS

41

STRINGS BROKEN

23

TUTORS

7

COMPARABLE ALTERNATIVES

0

TUTORS

Thomas Leeb (AT/US)

Has played more than a thousand concerts since his first stage appearance at the age of fifteen, is a constant performer all over the world and is a faculty member at the CalArts school of music. Thomas’ album ‘Desert Pirate’ was voted one of the essential albums of the last 20 years by Acoustic Guitar Magazine and his playing has earned him accolades from all over the guitar scene but most notably from David Gilmour and Guthrie Govan.
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Don Ross (CA)


Don Ross is a groundbreaking Canadian guitarist known for his dynamic fingerstyle technique and innovative compositions. Blending elements of folk, jazz, blues, and classical music, his performances are both rhythmically intricate and emotionally compelling. As a two-time National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, Ross continues to inspire audiences with his unparalleled artistry.
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Petteri Sariola (FI)




Petteri Sariola is a Finnish guitarist renowned for his innovative percussive fingerstyle technique. Known for his dynamic live performances, Sariola combines intricate fingerpicking with rhythmic tapping, using both hands to produce layered melodies and beats on a single guitar. His unique style blends elements of rock, pop, and jazz, captivating audiences with both technical skill and musicality. Sariola’s approach has redefined solo guitar playing, pushing the boundaries of what one instrument can accomplish.


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Randy Lutge (USA)

Randy Lutge, a friend and promoter of acoustic guitar legend Michael Hedges, has been instrumental in preserving Hedges’ legacy. Through their friendship and his deep admiration for Hedges' groundbreaking fingerstyle techniques, Lutge became a key figure in the fan community, sharing recordings, stories, and insights about Hedges’ unique artistry. Lutge's commitment helped to extend Hedges' influence, celebrating his innovations and inspiring guitarists who continue exploring the expressive potential of solo acoustic guitar playing.








Booking

CLICK HERE TO E-MAIL US FOR REGISTRATION/BOOKING

The workshop fee of EUR 600 includes tuition and all materials and is payable by bank transfer.
A (generally non-refundable) deposit of EUR 300 reserves your space at the workshop.

 

ROOM AND BOARD prices for the whole week range from EUR 495-710, depending on which room you choose.

You will be sent a detailed list of choices when you register. Room and board fees are payable to the venue directly.


E-MAIL US at workshop@thomasleeb.com  for registration

FAQ

  • When, Where and How Much?

    The 20th Acoustic Guitar Boot Camp runs from July July 5th-11th 2025 at the MeiZeit Hüttendorf (=chalet village) in Turracher Höhe, Austria. The tuition fee is EUR 600 per person, paid by bank transfer. Payment for room and board is payable to the venue directly and ranges from EUR 495 to EUR 710.

    Check out the booking section above for more information.

  • Do I have to speak German

    No. The entire workshop is in English.


  • I'm vegetarian/vegan/allergic to XYZ

    The MeiZeit can feed you if you’re a plain old vegan or vegetarian although you’ll probably want to bring some of your own snacks or join one of the grocery-store runs with a fellow bootee at some point during the week. If you have more severe allergies or restrictions, the EU reporting guidelines are pretty strict and the kitchen has to adhere to these. All chalets are all equipped with full kitchens if you choose to feed yourself.  

  • Am I good enough to participate?

    We encourage a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere.  Guitar shredding snobbery is strongly discouraged and gets thrown into the lake! On one end of the spectrum you’ll have someone who’s never played in an open tuning and can barely pick while on the other end you’ll find a semi-professional on a very high level.

  • Can I bring someone else to the workshop who doesn't participate?

    Absolutely, just  let us know. You’ll just need to pay the venue for your guests room and board. 

  • Travel: planes, trains and automobiles!

    check out the ‘can I get a ride’ section below


    Munich Airport: Most bootees fly into Munich (MUC) and rent cars there. It’s about 3 1/2 hours from the Turrach but rental cars are comparatively cheap. Many Bootees share rides to/from Munich airport.


    Klagenfurt Airport: the closest airport by far, but there are caveats: Ryanair fly here again, but you'll arrive a day early and leave a day late.  Lufthansa group also fly here, but that involves a connection in Vienna.


    Ljubljana airport is Thomas’ favorite and only about two hours from the Bootcamp. Bus transfers from LJU to Klagenfurt are available as well.


    Salzburg airport: Wonderful if you can find a charter/Ryanair flight there. The downside is that rental cars in Austria tend to be expensive, making the flight to Munich more attractive.


    Vienna Airport: you should be able to hitch a ride with someone from Vienna to the mountain and back (3.5 hours or so) but flying into Munich is often cheaper and car rentals are expensive at VIE.


    Car: We’ve had people drive to Turrach from as far away as Sweden, Ukraine and Scotland. Wonderful people but a little nuts 🙂


    Train: from Germany and Italy: Spittal an der Drau is the best station

    from Vienna Unzmarkt is the closest. We’ll be happy to arrange a taxi transfer or ride for you.

  • When should I arrive/leave?

    July 5th is mostly an arrival day: people check in throughout the day, there’s dinner around 7:30 PM and an orientation meeting at 9 PM. On the last day, the 11th, most people are still a little slow from the previous nights’ festivities and tend start the journey home around noon. A few die-hards will continue working into the afternoon.

  • Can I get a ride to the Bootcamp?

    It’s been really wonderful to see the level of cooperation and generosity when it came to this the last few years. The best place to find a lift is the Facebook Bootcamp Group

  • What if I need to cancel?

    We will do our best to ‘sell’ your space to someone else but due to the international character of the event, it is often not possible to find a quick replacement. In general, the deposit is not refundable and the rest becomes non-refundable one month before launch.

  • But I'm really bad at playing the guitar!

    That is exactly why people go to workshops. Everybody comes at their level and leaves with improvements.