Gong Intensive — September 13–17, 2026 · Catskill Mountains

Five days in the mountains with nothing to do but play, listen, and go deeper.

Gong Intensive is an immersive retreat held at Akera, a 123-acre sanctuary in the Catskill Mountains, led by Mike Tamburo. Over five full days, participants move through a vast landscape of gong playing — from foundational technique to open improvisation and composition.

Early sessions focus on developing a sensitive relationship with the instrument: tone, resonance, mallet control, dynamic shaping, pacing, and touch. As the retreat unfolds, the work opens outward — into improvisation, composition, ensemble playing, and guided orchestration.

Woven throughout the week, Aniko Benedek and Samer Ghadry will share workshops that expand the sonic world of the retreat. There is also a session with Grotta Sonora’s Gongmatic, deepening the listening experience with this extraordinary art installation.

Evenings are given over to concerts, sound baths, and collective listening. Between sessions there is room to walk the trails, rest in the sauna, soak in the hot tub, or simply sit with the silence between sounds.

The retreat is open to players of all levels. Beginners are welcome. Experienced players will find new territory. The common language throughout is listening.

The goal is to leave the week changed — with a deeper relationship to the instrument, a broader sonic vocabulary, and a clearer sense of where your music wants to go next.

gongintensive.com