Didgeridoo ritiro - 19° Ed.
The #1 Didgeridoo Training Retreat in Italy — Since 2006
The course that has trained more professionals than any other in Italy.
1 - 3 May 2026
Stefano Lo Buono, Italy / Australia
“After years of practice, my didgeridoo journey took a significant leap forward thanks to Andrea Ferroni's teaching.
His lessons sharpened my technique and transformed my understanding of the instrument.
Andrea excels at explaining even the most complex concepts clearly, using analogies that make theory accessible and practical, all while maintaining deep respect for tradition.”
Patrizia Mimmi, Verona - Italy
“From the very first meeting, I felt welcomed and understood.
Andrea Ferroni's ability to guide even someone like me, with many difficulties and doubts, is remarkable.
Without his support, I might have relegated such a magical instrument as the didgeridoo to a hidden corner forever.”
Emiliano Tenzi, Italy / Argentina
“I’ve attended courses with other wind instrument makers, but none have matched Andrea Ferroni’s precision, approachability, and clarity.
His courses are highly recommended for their depth and unique teaching approach, offering a clear path to excellence through study, practice, and experimentation.”
Why the Didgeridoo Retreat Has Transformed So Many Musicians
Stories of growth, community, and the sound that changes everything.
In 19 years of Retreats, I’ve seen hundreds of people change the way they play — and, often, the way they live music itself.
Many arrived shy and uncertain, thinking they weren’t good enough, just trying to understand “how to improve their breathing” or “how to make their didgeridoo sound better.”
But then they found much more: confidence, joy, motivation — and above all, a real community built on sharing and listening.
Because we all started from the same place.
I’ve seen smiles, genuine satisfaction, and moments of growth that stay with you forever.
Some students, with extraordinary passion and dedication, became teachers themselves.
Others followed different paths, but remain excellent musicians — still invited to perform at important events in Italy and abroad.
Our Location - Arti e Tradizioni - Garzigliana (TO)
The greatest value of our Retreat lies right here:
an environment where everyone grows through one another, where the quality of teaching and the strength of the group create results that, honestly, few others in the world can match.
Andrea Ferroni
Didgeridoo Player, Teacher, Maker, and Researcher
Ondrej Smeykal
The Czech Master Who Redefined the Didgeridoo.
Ondřej Smeykal is one of the world's leading figures in contemporary didgeridoo performance.
Born in 1975 in Sušice, Czech Republic, he began his musical career in the 1990s, developing a personal and innovative style characterized by hypnotic rhythms, polyrhythms, and constant sonic exploration that has led him to perform worldwide and collaborate with artists across diverse musical genres.
Smeykal is known for using oversized didgeridoos—up to four meters in length—which allow him to produce deep drones and a broad spectrum of sounds and harmonics. His compositions range from breakbeat to organic techno, trance, and ambient, demonstrating the instrument's versatility.
Beyond music, Smeykal holds a Master's degree in Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague.
He has participated in art installations and collaborated with glass artisans to create crystal didgeridoos. His career was also shaped by a period of study in Australia, where he immersed himself in Aboriginal culture and traditional didgeridoo techniques.
In 2017, the opera L2—featuring orchestral music based on Ondřej's didgeridoo compositions—premiered at the Jiří Myron Theatre in Ostrava, CZ. In 2019, he invited and hosted traditional Aboriginal artists (Gurruwiwi family - Mallawur project) to perform in Czechia.
Since 2019, Ondřej has organized his own PHK art festival, a weekend-long cultural gathering combining science, art, education, therapy, and nature.
Alongside acoustic music, Ondřej explores electronic possibilities. In 2025, he released his latest album in collaboration with artist Petr Nikl—a double LP titled "Songs from Nerudova Street"—recorded entirely on electronic didgeridoo with effects triggered by the instrument itself.
Currently, Ondřej is touring with British artist Bear Love, an innovative player of the world's largest symphonic gong (over 2m), and preparing for a tour to Japan in autumn 2025.
Selected Recordings: Wooden Toys - Prague Dreaming (1996) • Wooden Toys (1998) • Didgeridoo Solo I (2004) • Didgeridoo Solo II (2006) • Autopilote (2008) • Didgeridoo Solo II and Remixes (2009) • Singing Didgeridoo (2014) • Singing Didgeridoo II (2017) • Didgeridoo Solo 2022 (2022) • Songs from Nerudova Street 2LP (2025)
Workshop Programm
Creating Your Own Music
The didgeridoo is a very unique instrument.
When I was young, I was searching for a tool to help me express my emotions and I found the didgeridoo. I still remember that time. It took me a lot of effort to develop my music because I was searching not only for a tool but also for my own sound, my own language.
It is a very fragile process and many people fail halfway through, because they doubt their explorations too much. Often they would rather stick with traditional music and other well-established recipes for HOW to make music.
But then sometimes their music is missing a sense of originality or genuineness. And this is exactly the topic of my workshop. I will show participants a collection of techniques for better understanding of the body.
Our body is very complex and offers many "engines" for great control over the texture of sound. We will go through those practices to have better control over sound, then we will build rhythms. We will look together at different ways to compose. We will also look at the didgeridoo as a source of meditation, self-healing process, and sound therapy.
Picture from a past edition
Everybody who is interested in creating original music is welcome.
All levels of players are welcome, although there will be no time to explain circular breathing. But still, even beginners can harvest good advice although they can't circulate or keep up with our playing.
Each block of teaching will have its own theme. It's good to bring some very comfortable clothing for practicing, something that will allow you to breathe easily, then a pen and notebook.
Ondrej Smeykal
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions here.
Where can I stay during the workshop?
Budget accommodation is available at the Arti e Tradizioni Association headquarters. Participants can stay overnight with a sleeping mat and sleeping bag in the spacious hall on the first floor, typically used for music workshops. All necessary details and instructions will be provided after you complete the registration form.
Are there hotels or B&Bs nearby if I prefer private accommodation?
Yes, there are several hotels and bed & breakfasts in the area. A list of recommended accommodations will be provided upon request.
What about meals?
Lunch and dinner are served at the Arti e Tradizioni Association and are prepared by us. All meals are included in the participation fee. We accommodate vegetarians, vegans, and any other dietary restrictions. However, we are not a restaurant, so please inform us in advance of any special needs.
How can I get there?
The Arti e Tradizioni Association is located in one of the most picturesque areas of the Pinerolo region, in Montebruno, a hamlet of Garzigliana. The venue is easily accessible by car, by bus from central Turin, and is connected to cycling paths.
Address:
Associazione Arti e Tradizioni
Regione Montebruno 2A
10060 Garzigliana (TO) – Italy
Fill up the form to get more details about your trip.
I'm traveling by plane and don't have an instrument. What can I do?
No problem! Dozens of didgeridoos will be available for you to use throughout the workshop. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase an instrument at the end of the workshop if you wish.
TESTIMONIALS - What others are saying
– Emily R., Brand Manager
“After a week of practice, the improvements are truly noticeable!
The valuable tips in Andrea’s video, combined with regular practice, help you understand the instrument and become aware of the muscles essential for breathing.”
Teresa Pernice, France / Italy
“Thanks to Andrea’s expertise and remarkable ability to listen, he quickly identified my blocks and suggested targeted exercises that helped me make tangible progress.
His dedication and commitment to research are truly inspiring!”
Alessandro Doratiotto, Italy
“I had watched countless videos online, but they only showed what to do — never how to actually learn it.
Andrea’s lesson broke everything down into small, simple steps that made circular breathing easy to understand and practice.”
GET YOUR SPOT + FREE BONUSES
Complete the form now to receive full info about the Didgeridoo Retreat — and unlock early access to the special bonuses reserved for the first participants.
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