Founded in 2023, The Windy City Trombone Retreat (WCTR) takes place for four days each August in Chicago. WCTR serves women and gender nonconforming pre-professional students in a camp setting, concluding with an ensemble concert for the public in Welles Park. The Windy City Trombone Retreat takes mentorship a step further by offering professional development workshops in areas such as freelance career building, strength training, and audition preparation with area brass professionals of similar backgrounds. Sackbut day with Liza Malamut allows participants to play, test, and rehearse on period instruments. Concert experiences such as trips to the Grant Park Orchestra and jazz night give participants a chance to experience Chicago’s world-class music scene and network in less structured settings. The 2026 session is also open to Tuba and Euphonium.