Meet Our Pro Songwriters

Ross King

Seasoned songwriter with cuts by artists like Newsboys, We Are Messengers and Micah Tyler. Ross has been writing and releasing his own music for over 25 years and has a gift for writing songs that truly connect. On top of that, Ross has a heart to serve other songwriters and artists, and it has been a joy to know him and call him one of my closest friends. He’s been a huge part of the CIAS fam- co-hosting all 13 of the CIAS virtual Retreats, the CIAS Intensives, has been at all of of our in-person retreats, and we even wrote one of my personal best songs to date, “Miracle Man,” together.

Deb Wolf

Publisher, music admin expert, and sync licensing pro. Deb has spent years helping artists navigate the industry and get their songs placed while writing powerful, faith-filled music herself. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Deb since 2019 and she’s helped me register my music and has actively pitched many of the songs we’ve written together for film and TV. We’ve even landed several placements! She’s an encourager and one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever known when it comes to the music industry.

Chase Buchanan

Worship Pastor at Connections Church (GA) and founder of Connections Music. Chase is a songwriter and producer who knows what it takes to craft music that serves both the church and beyond. Chase is an awesome guy and one of my favorite people to co-write with. We’ve written some of my favorite songs together, and we’re releasing them through Rock Harbor Worship. He’s a true talent with a genuine heart to glorify Jesus through his music and life.

Bryan Boliver

(Yours truly) Worship leader, songwriter, producer and founder of the amazing CIAS community. I have been releasing music since 2018 and have released 70+ songs. I have grown my artistry through Spotify independently, and my social media organically to reach millions of people with the music God has given me. I am passionate about helping indie artists and worship leaders do the same, by equipping others to do what I'm doing, and create music that makes a real impact.

More than just songwriting

As creatives, we pour ourselves into our music, our leadership, and our calling—but how often do we take time to be poured into?

That’s exactly what the CIAS Songwriting Retreat is all about.

When

Where

Cost

Airports

What should you bring

Can you bring your family

Are meals included?

Is lodging included

Will I need to rent a car

Can I request special food to suit my dietary restrictions

2025 CIAS Songwriting Retreat

The CIAS Songwriting Retreat will be held from Wednesday, May 28th - Friday, May 30th, 2025 in Melbourne Beach, Florida.

What to Expect:
• May 28th: Meet and greet, followed by CIAS Rounds where we will share songs and worship together.
• May 29th and 30th: Two full days packed with co-writing sessions, alongside fellow independent and professional songwriters.

This is a 3 day event designed by songwriters, for songwriters. We will be bringing in experienced industry professionals to guide and inspire you throughout the retreat.

The Pros:

Ross King, Deb Wolf, Bryan Boliver, Chase Buchanan

You will learn so much and love writing with each of these songwriters. You’ll leave this retreat with 4-5 co-written songs and the opportunity to share them with the group each evening.

So many of the songs written at past retreats go far beyond the writing rooms. I know that will happen again with our time together this year.

Beyond the songwriting, one of the most powerful parts of this retreat is the relationships built—connections that can truly shape your journey.

So many songs from past retreats have been:
✔ Released on streaming platforms
✔ Pitched to publishers
✔ Sung in churches
✔ Played on independent Christian radio

More Than Just Songwriting

In addition to writing sessions, we’ll have open discussions on key topics like indie artistry, publishing, sync licensing, streaming strategy, and more to help equip you in your music career.

We are hosting the retreat at our church in Melbourne Beach, Florida, just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon—a quiet beach town full of inspiration and charm. We believe this space will bring fresh life and breath into the songs written this year.

Why Join?

Taking bold steps in your music journey can be daunting, but we believe this event is the perfect opportunity to step out in faith and trust God with your calling. This is our 5th annual retreat, and every year has been an unforgettable experience.

If you’re passionate about songwriting and looking for a transformational experience, we’d love for you to join us in 2025!