Rancho La Puerta 2026

April 15, 2026April 16, 20262 Comments

: lunch with Kathy

: Paella on the terrace with amazing RLP kitchen staff

: Deborah Szekely

: bougainvillea

: activity pool

: poolside

: a sweet bench

: Kathy and Laura

: beautiful views everywhere!

: inspiring place to journal

: daily quote board

: piano concert in Oak Tree Pavillion

My latest visit to Rancho La Puerta, a world-renowned health and wellness resort in Tecate, Mexico, marked my 17th year as a musical guest at the Ranch. With 40 miles of hiking trails, delicious vegetarian food, stunning gardens, meandering brick paths, swimming pools, fitness classes, and, of course, a gorgeous Steinway B piano and dreamy performance space, the Ranch is my idea of heaven on earth.

While there, I presented two singing classes and a piano concert. My day included early morning practicing from 6–8 a.m. followed by swimming, soaking, yoga, and long walks. I brought my dear friend Kathy Lee as a guest, and she delighted in attending a variety of fitness classes, morning hikes, tennis, pickleball, Pilates, and lectures on diet and brain health.

One of the highlights of my week, in addition to seeing old friends from past visits, was a dinner for the presenters hosted by the Ranch’s co-founder, Deborah Szekely, who will turn 104 in May. During the dinner, she offered sage advice on living a long and healthy life: stay curious, follow the Ranch diet, and remain positive. Her mind is sharp, her stories engaging, and she continues inspiring others toward leading healthy, vibrant, and impactful lives. At the dinner she asked me to lead the group in a song, I chose a simple old camp tune that seems perfect for the tranquil Ranch atmosphere: “I’ve Got Peace like a River.”

Stay curious! Consider learning to play the piano- a wonderful way to engage your brain while adding artistic beauty and joy to your daily life. Play Piano Today with Laura Dean

Rancho La Puerta 2025

February 27, 2025February 27, 2025Leave a comment

Bird of Paradise outside the administration building at Rancho La Puerta

Cardio funk classes with Milo Levell, nutritional talks with Sohailla Digsby RD, wellness talks by medical adventurer Dr. Brandee Waite, a mountain hike with friend and life coach, Emily Boorstein, time with my daughter, Ruby, swimming, visiting with old friends, and forging new friendships were some of the many highlights of my recent 2025 Rancho La Puerta trip. Rancho la Puerta, on the outskirts of Tecate, Mexico, is an expansive wellness resort that includes 4000 acres of hiking trails, gardens, gyms, yoga and dance studios, spas, swimming pools, a cooking school, an organic garden, and more. I first visited the Ranch in 2009 as a musical guest presenting a piano concert and singing classes, and have returned in the same capacity over a dozen times through the years. In fact, it is where I met my better half, Joe, who was a fitness instructor at the Ranch for some 30 years (that’s another story for another time).

Siempre Mejor, which translates to Always Better, is the motto of the Ranch. Indeed! Each visit provides opportunities for personal renewal and growth. At the end of the week, I ALWAYS leave with a feeling of gratitude and resolve that I am on the right path. My path includes the magic bullet of diet and exercise, self care, friendships, continuing education, travel, and meaningful work: teaching, studying, and performing music. As always, it’s good to return home, and as I look forward to a busy month ahead, which I refer to as “March Musical Madness.” In the next few weeks, I’ll work my own students in my studio as well as take to the road for work with a variety of students and teachers in the Western Washington region. As I step into March, I’m filled with energy, and a sense of calmness, ready to tackle what lies ahead. Siempre Mejor!

Are you ready to study piano in 2025? Check out my online, and on your own music course.

On Demand Piano lessons with Laura Dean:

Rancho La Puerta 2023

April 18, 2023April 18, 20231 Comment

Rancho La Puerta is a wellness resort in Tecate, Mexico, dating back to the 1940s. My first visit to Rancho La Puerta was in 2009. Since then, I’ve returned to the Ranch as a musical guest some ten times! This year, I took my daughter Ruby along as my side kick, and we had a wonderful time. Personal highlights of the week included hiking, swimming, fitness classes, wandering through the meandering gardens, reading by the pool, eating award winning vegan meals, and best of all: connecting with old friends and staff members from years past, as well as meeting new friends. In short, a trip to the ranch felt like coming home.

During the week, I presented an evening solo piano concert based on my book which rolled off the presses about a year ago: Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier. I also led a class called “Sing-along with Laura,” an hour filled with standards, show tunes, and pop favorites.

A week at Rancho La Puerta encourages slowing down, breathing deeply, and living in the moment. Indeed these are gifts available to us every day of the year wherever we are! Try it now…… take a big breath in and a long, audible exhale…..Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Now, don’t you feel better?

Sunrise on the Coyote Hike – photo by hike leader Luis! Thanks Luis

Rancho la Puerta

May 29, 20224 Comments

I’m home after another rejuvenating week at the beautiful health resort, Rancho la Puerta, located at the edge of of Tecate, Mexico where the motto is Siempre Mejor- always better. Last week included lap swimming, hiking, practicing yoga, eating delicious food, admiring gardens, creating art, meeting new friends, connecting with old friends, taking a writing workshop, encountering wild life, strolling along brick pathways, spending time with Joe, leading a singing class, and performing a piano concert- “Music and Stories from Westward Expansion.”

While I was away, my new book was officially published- Music in the Westward Expansion: Songs of Heart and Place on the American Frontier. The book is available at McFarland , Amazon, or from your favorite book seller. And now on to my next adventure – book launching!

Rancho La Puerta 2018

May 21, 2018May 22, 2018Leave a comment

I just returned from a week at the health and fitness spa, Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. This was my eighth visit to the Ranch as a visiting musical artist. The motto of the Ranch is ¡Siempre Mejor! (always better). My first visit was life changing, and each visit provides inspiration to lead my best and healthiest life possible! Here are my top 10 experiences from the magical week, in no particular order.

Wandering around the brick paths that snake through the entire property while taking in the colorful gardens!
Attending two concerts from Grammy Award winning classical guitarist, Jason Vieaux! I will never forget his magical playing and commentary in the intimate setting of the Oak Tree Pavilion. Here’s a pic of Jason below.

Jason Vieaux

Hanging out with my handsome husband who worked at the Ranch for thirty-one years before retiring to live in Seattle. I literally took the Ranch home over six years ago, when Joe came to live with me and my daughter, Ruby. Now he visits the Ranch as my guest and gets to relax and do whatever he wants!

Seeing old friends and making new ones! Below, the lovely Manuela, Concierge Extraordinaire!

A wonderful hands on cooking class with master vegan chef and cookbook author, Jill Nussinow, the Veggie Queen! Joe, Ruby, and I been following a plant based diet for over two years now, never felt better.

Performing an evening solo piano program, Across the Borders, in the Oak Tree Pavilion! I also led two sing along classes in the same space, terrific fun.

Swimming Workouts in the beautiful fitness pool.
Yoga!

Watching a barn owl swoop into a tree at sunset like a winged white ghost from another world. Joe and I experienced this together. We also saw a family of 7 skunks the same night- luckily, they kept the family party moving! click here for some magnificent bird photos

Returning Home. Good to go away and oh so happy to return home to the yellow house. There’s no place like home.

Romances Sans Paroles, Yellow House Salon #16

May 8, 2016Leave a comment

Silly Laura and her mom, Gail Dean at Rancho la Puerta

Romances Sans Paroles translates to Songs Without Words. Below I play #3 by Gabriel Fauré (played on my digital keyboard and mixed on my Macbook as a harp/guitar duo). What a perfect piece for Mother’s Day. No words can describe how grateful I am for my mother, Gail Dean. She’s a woman of steel who raised two kids on her own with courage and grace after losing my dad in a highway accident when we were all very young.

Thanks, Mom, for all of the hours of music lessons, for driving across the state of Montana for camps and concerts, for sewing all of those costumes and dresses, for giving me a great education, and for giving me the courage, independence, and grit to pursue a life in music. I owe it all to you!

To all of the Mamas our there! You know who you are and I know how hard you work to make it all look easy! Here’s to our Moms and here’s to us, the Mamas!

Rancho la Puerta: fuel for the body, mind, and spirit

February 23, 2015February 24, 2015Leave a comment

Leaping into Monday morning feeling refreshed after a week at the top rated destination spa, Rancho la Puerta, located on the edge of Tecate, Mexico in the Baja. The week was spent practicing piano in the beautiful Oak Tree Pavilion, hiking, swimming, attending yoga classes, listening to insightful speakers, visiting with friends, practicing Spanish, eating delicious healthy meals, and relaxing. I was a guest presenter for the week offering a a class (Sing-Along with Laura) and an evening music program (Women with a Past).

It was at Rancho la Puerta where I met my significant other, Joe Sweeney, four years ago. Joe was a fitness instructor and bird guide at the Ranch for 31 years. He now lives with me in Seattle where he is a personal trainer and bird photographer.

As I reflect on the trip and plan for the next few busy months ahead, I’m inspired by the Ranch motto:

Siempre Mejor (always better)

For more information on Rancho la Puerta, visit: rancholapuerta.com

Joe’s beautiful bird photos and blog: sweeneyfit.wordpress.com

Laura Dean

Musical Artist, Teacher, Author

Tag: Rancho la puerta