Handpan Residence with
Daniel Waples
UK & European community
An international group of handpan lovers.
All levels welcome
Beginners, enthusiasts and players.
Limited to 15 participants
Small group, personal guidance.
Music in the Rhodopes
Mountains, rivers, forest and space to breathe.
A rare opportunity to learn from Daniel Waples
🎵 20+ years
Performing, teaching and inspiring handpan players around the world.
🌍 90+ countries
Concerts, festivals and workshops across six continents.
🎥 Millions of Views
One of the world's most-watched handpan artists across YouTube and social media.
🎤 TEDx Speaker
Recognised for inspiring audiences through music, creativity and his personal journey.
For many of today's leading handpan players, Daniel Waples was one of the very first people they ever heard play the instrument. Through two decades of performances, workshops and online videos, he helped introduce the handpan to millions of people and became one of the artists who shaped its global journey.
This residence is one of the few opportunities to experience Daniel in the way music is often learned best — not from a stage, but through shared time. A full week of workshops, jams, conversations, experiences and creative exploration with a small community of just 15 participants.
A full week of handpan immersion
The residence balances structured workshops, artistic exploration, nature, rest and spontaneous shared moments.
- Technique, touch and tone
- Rhythm, groove and timing
- Melody and musical flow
- Improvisation and composition
- Separate learning groups
- Small-group guidance
- Pressure-free atmosphere
- Accessible for complete beginners
- Group jams and ensemble playing
- Open mic evening
- Questions & creative discussions
- Shared musical exploration
- Morning yoga or movement
- Forest walks and river spots
- Swimming and relaxation
- Optional massage and quiet time
Build the foundations of expressive handpan playing
Throughout the week, Daniel and Ivan will guide you through the core elements of handpan playing, balancing technique, creativity, musicality and the joy of making music together.
🎵 Groove & Rhythm
Build confidence with pulse, timing and flow.
🎼Melody & Musicality
Learn how melodies connect, breathe and tell a story.
🎶 Improvisation & Creativity
Develop practical tools for creating music in the moment.
🤝 Playing Together
Jams, ensemble playing, listening and musical communication.
🥁 Technique & Sound
Refine your touch, dynamics and tone.
✨ Finding Your Own Voice
Discover a more relaxed, playful and personal approach to the instrument.
For every stage of your handpan journey.
Whether you're picking up the handpan for the first time or have been playing for years, the residence is designed to meet you where you are.
Whether you're picking up the handpan for the first time or have been playing for years, the residence is designed to meet you where you are.
Perfect for you if you:
- Want to start playing handpan in a supportive environment.
- Already play and want to deepen your technique, musicality and confidence.
- Would love to spend a week learning from Daniel Waples and Ivan Judas.
- Enjoy making music with like-minded people from across Europe.
- Are looking for a meaningful week immersed in music and nature.
No previous musical experience is required. If you don't own a handpan yet, Zendō Sounds instruments will be available throughout the residence.
Lead Instructors
Daniel and Ivan share a unique musical chemistry - playful, intuitive and deeply connected. Their sessions move naturally between groove and atmosphere, structure and spontaneity, technical precision and emotional expression.
Handpan pioneer, global performer and independent artist known for dynamic groove-based playing, improvisation and making music feel joyful, accessible and alive.
One of the driving forces behind Croatia’s handpan scene, he is known for expressive compositions, refined touch and emotionally immersive performances.
A clear rhythm for learning, rest and music
Arrival & Check-in: August 9, between 17:00 and 20:00
Check-out & Departure: August 15, after 14:00
Day 1 | August 9: Arrival
Up to 17:00 Arrival and check-in
19:00 – 20:00 Vegetarian dinner
20:30 Opening circle
Welcome, musical introductions & a jam under the stars
Day 2 | August 10: We Begin
9:00 – 10:00 Morning yoga with Sanya
10:30 – 11:30 Vegetarian brunch
12:00 – 13:30 Intro workshop
Meet the instructors, the group and the journey ahead.
14:30 – 16:00 Parallel Workshops
Beginner group – First sounds, rhythm and melody
Advanced group – Musical goals & individual direction
16:00-18:00 – One-on-one sessions or individual practice
19:30 Vegetarian dinner
21:00 Music is life
An evening talk with Ivan Judas and Daniel Waples
Day 3 | August 11: Rhythm
9:00 – 10:00 Morning yoga with Sanya
10:30 – 11:30 Vegetarian brunch
12:00 – 13:30 Konnakol workshop
Discover the ancient art of vocal rhythm and how vocalising transforms your timing and groove.
14:30 – 16:00 Uneven Rhythms & Groove
Making odd meters feel natural, playful and flowing.
16:00-18:00 – Rhodope Nature Walk
An afternoon hike along the Konskata Glava Eco Trail, ending with a refreshing swim and unwind at our favorite hidden river beach.
19:30 Vegetarian dinner
21:00 Handpan History
Stories from the early days with Daniel Waples
Day 4 | August 12: Melody & Expression
9:00 – 10:00 Morning yoga with Sanya
10:30 – 11:30 Vegetarian brunch
12:00 – 13:30 Unlocking your scale
Intervals, harmonies, progressions and discovering the geometry of your handpan
14:30 – 16:00 Dancing between polarities
Touch & expression – dynamics, silence, space, phrasing and different approaches to touch and tone to create emotion and depth
16:00-18:00 – One-on-one sessions or individual practice
19:30 Vegetarian dinner
21:00 Meditative Sound Journey
Day 5 | August 13: Improvisation
9:00 – 10:00 Morning yoga with Sanya
10:30 – 11:30 Vegetarian brunch
11:30 – 13:00 Improvisation & the Five Elements
Learn to trust your intuition, break free from patterns and discover your own inspiration and musical language.
13:30 – 15:00 Meditation Loops & Music for Sound Journeys
Long-form playing, repetition and creating immersive musical landscapes.
15:00-19:00 – Golubovitsa Cave Adventure
We will explore an underground river by boat, discover spectacular cave formations and experience one of the Rhodopes’ most unique adventures with professional guides.
19:30 Vegetarian dinner
21:00 Jam Night
Day 6 | August 14: Technique
9:00 – 10:00 Morning yoga with Sanya
10:30 – 11:30 Vegetarian brunch
12:00 – 13:30 Advanced Handpan Techniques
Finger independence, ghost notes, touch, movement and playing with greater freedom.
14:30 – 16:00 CAS CAS Workshop with Daniel Waples
Discover one of Daniel’s signature instruments and learn how to naturally integrate CAS CAS rhythm into your performance
16:00-18:00 – One-on-one sessions or individual practice
19:30 Vegetarian dinner
21:00 Daniel Waples & Ivan Judas Live Concert
Day 7 | August 15: Sharing your music
9:00 – 10:00 Light breakfast
10:00 – 11:30 From Patterns to Music
Composition, musical storytelling and playing together
12:00 – 13:00 Closing circle
Reflection, sharing and practical ideas on continuing your handpan journey – from daily practice to performing, teaching or simply keeping music alive in your everyday life.
14:00 Check-out
Limited to 15 participants
To keep the residence personal and immersive, the available seats are limited.
€1,500
Reserve your place with a 30% deposit (€450).
The remaining balance is due аt the start of the residence. 
5% discount when booking as a group of two or more participants.
What you get:
Everything is taken care of
Handpan Immersion
Daily workshops with Daniel Waples and Ivan Judas, separate learning paths, creative sessions, jams, concerts and open mic evenings.
🏡 Stay at Savaya
6 nights in shared accommodation at the magical Savaya Tribe Green Residence, with vegetarian brunch and dinner every day, plus access to the pool, lake, and peaceful spaces to unwind.
✨ Nature & Wellbeing
Morning yoga, mountain adventures, cave visits, river swims, relaxation spaces and plenty of time to slow down and integrate.
🫶 Community & Connection
A small group of just 15 participants, late-night jams, open mic sessions, and meaningful connections that often last long after the residence ends.
Handpan in the mountains of Bulgaria
Far from crowded retreats and festival rush, this residency invites you into a slower and more grounded experience - a full week of music, nature and shared living in the magical Rhodope Mountains. Created for the UK and European handpan community, the residency brings together beginners, enthusiasts and experienced players in a small international group of just 15 participants. Whether you are deepening your musical practice or reconnecting with creativity and presence, the week is designed to offer both learning and space to breathe.
A week to slow down
Music, forests, rivers and a rhythm of life that invites presence and deeper listening.
International community
A carefully curated gathering of handpan lovers from across the UK and Europe.
The Rhodopes
Ancient mountains, hidden river spots and one of the most magical regions in Eastern Europe.
Savaya Tribe – a green residence in the Rhodopes
Hidden among forests, rivers and mountain silence, it offers the perfect environment for a week of music, presence and meaningful connection.
Rest, explore and let the music settle
Between workshops, Savaya gives you space to integrate the learning in your own way - through nature, water, stillness or gentle bodywork.
Water & rest
Enjoy the lake, swim in the pool, read in a hammock or simply rest in the quiet rhythm of the place.
Forest & excursions
Walk through the forest, visit nearby caves, discover river beaches and explore the magical landscapes of the Rhodopes.
Full immersion extras
Optional massages, sound experiences, spontaneous jams and personal practice time with your instrument.
Sanya Barakova
Sanya Barakova is an artist, certified Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher, and a street music soul with over a decade of deep connection to the magic of the handpan. As one of the earliest ambassadors of the instrument in the Balkans, she co-facilitated the very first handpan workshops in Bulgaria.
Her musical path began on the streets of the world, where she spent years embracing the absolute freedom of intuitive improvisation (busking). Sanya’s dedication to movement later led her to study yoga in Portugal, Bali, and Mysore, India, under the guidance of world-renowned masters. Today, she seamlessly weaves together movement, sound, and energy work to help others journey back to their authentic selves.
As the creator and heart of the magical Savaya Tribe retreat center in the Rhodope Mountains, Sanya will be your grounded, nurturing guide for this immersive residence—balancing masterclasses with ease, inspiration, and shared presence.
Handpans at the Residence
Most group sessions during the residency will be centered around D Kurd, creating a shared musical space for ensemble playing, improvisation and flow.
We warmly encourage participants to bring their own handpan if they have one.
A selection of Zendō Sounds instruments will also be available throughout the week for beginners, travellers and shared sessions, so everyone can fully participate in the experience.
Whether you arrive with years of playing or touch the instrument for the first time here, the residence is designed to support both exploration and connection through music.
About the organizers
Zendō Sounds
Zendō Sounds is a musician-led handpan brand, dedicated to making the handpan accessible as a natural gateway into music for people from all walks of life. We collaborate with trusted makers around the world to offer handcrafted instruments created with attention to sound quality.
Beyond building instruments, we actively nurture the handpan scene in Bulgaria and across the Balkans through handpan retreats, concerts and festivals bridging the local and the global scenes. In January we were honored to host the first Handpan Around the World festival in the heart of Sofia, with Daniel Waples, Ivan Judas, Nadayana, Bunyverse and Sanya.
Questions Before the Residence
Do I need to own a handpan?
No. If you don’t have your own instrument, Zendō Sounds D Kurd handpans will be available throughout the residence at no additional cost. If you already own a handpan, you’re warmly encouraged to bring it with you.
What handpan scale will be used?
The workshops will primarily focus on D Kurd, the most versatile and beginner-friendly handpan scale. If you’re bringing your own instrument in another scale, you’re still very welcome—we’ll help you get the most out of it.
What's included in the price?
Your participation includes:
Daily handpan workshops with Daniel Waples & Ivan Judas
6 nights accommodation at Savaya Tribe Green Residence
Vegetarian brunch and dinner every day
Morning yoga sessions
Evening concerts, jams and creative sessions
Guided excursions and community activities
Transport to and from Savaya is not included.
How many participants will there be?
Will there be free time?
Yes. While the programme is rich and immersive, there’s plenty of space to relax by the pool or lake, explore the surrounding forests, visit nearby caves, swim in the river, enjoy a massage or simply practice on your own.
Is this a festival or a retreat?
Neither.The Zendō Handpan Residence is an immersive learning experience. Unlike a festival, you’ll spend meaningful time with the instructors every day through workshops, shared meals, jams, concerts and conversations. The small group of only 15 participants creates a relaxed atmosphere where everyone gets to know each other and has space to grow
What type of accommodation is included?
Your stay includes 6 nights in shared accommodation at the magical Savaya Tribe Green Residence, with vegetarian brunch and dinner every day, access to the pool and lake, and peaceful spaces to unwind. If you prefer to bring your own camper or tent, please contact us to discuss the available options.
Is the residence suitable for complete beginners?
Absolutely. No previous musical experience is required. We offer dedicated learning paths for beginners and more experienced players, allowing everyone to learn at their own pace while sharing music together throughout the week.
What language will the residence be held in?
The residence will be conducted entirely in English, welcoming participants from the UK and across Europe.
How do I reserve my place?
Complete the registration form to reserve your place for 3 calendar days. Your booking is confirmed once we receive your 30% deposit. The remaining balance is due before the residence begins.
How do I get to Savaya Tribe?
Savaya Tribe Green Residence is located in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, approximately 3.5 hours from Sofia Airport.We’ll provide detailed travel information after registration and help participants coordinate shared transfers whenever possible.
Can I come alone?
Savaya Tribe Green Residence is located in the beautiful Rhodope Mountains of southern Bulgaria, approximately 3.5 hours from Sofia Airport.We’ll provide detailed travel information after registration and help participants coordinate shared transfers whenever possible.
What should I bring with me?
Bring your handpan if you have one, along with a notebook, water bottle, comfortable shoes, swimsuit, towel, sun protection, light daytime clothes, warm layers for cooler mountain evenings, indoor flip-flops, earplugs, personal toiletries, and anything else that helps you feel comfortable during a week of learning, nature, and shared living.
When should I arrive and when is check-out?
Check-in is on 9 August between 17:00 and 20:00. Check-out is on 15 August after 14:00. More detailed arrival and travel information will be shared after registration.
Some weeks stay with you for a lifetime
Music, friendship, nature and the instrument that brought us all together.
