Harmonium & Kirtan Retreat On Spetses Island, Greece
with Seth Lieberman, Dhanya and Bali Rico
July 6th - July 11th 2025
Description
Join us this summer on the charming island of Spetses, Greece for an incredible opportunity to study harmonium and kirtan in a stunning environment. Don’t miss this chance to dance, sing, study, and gather in spiritual community with us for 6 days and 5 nights in this stunning private location on a small, car-free Greek Island in the Aegean Sea. This educational and experiential retreat will provide you an immersion into a study of music, the practice of kirtan, and Bhakti Yoga along with a community of fellow harmonium and kirtan lovers.
This is open to all levels, but we recommend you have some basic experience. If you are new to the harmonium, we recommend you take our Intro to Harmonium course first. Otherwise, you should : 1) Have a very basic understanding of how to play the harmonium, 2) can recognize western note names on the keyboard, 3) Can already play 2-3 basic chants, 4) want to go deeper into learning and experiencing group kirtan. This is also intended for those who wish to develop their personal chanting practice and for those who wish to lead kirtan. Students will learn about the technical aspects of playing the harmonium and kartals, add new chant music and melodies to their repertoire, and practice leading kirtan in a supportive group environment. Chant sheets and audio recordings will be provided to support learning.
This retreat is very limited in space. Early registration is recommended.
You can also reach out to Ferdie if you have any questions or to discuss if this is the right opportunity for you.
LAST YEAR IN GREECE!
What’s included
Healthy vegetarian meals
Stay at an incredible, private villa for 6 days & 5 nights
Daily Harmonium, Kartal and Kirtan classes
Meditative morning and ecstatic evening kirtans
Full moon over-the-sea kirtan evening!
Daily Yoga asana classes and philosophy
Delicious Greek vegetarian meals
What’s not included
Transportation (airfare, ferries, etc.) to and from the Villa
Instruments - harmoniums and kartals - you must provide your own
Any extra purchases you wish to make while on the island
retreat life
Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and can cultivate sattva, a sanskrit term referring to the mode of goodness.
Therefore, the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants are not permitted on this retreat.
We will be getting high on kirtan, natural beauty, and good company!
About Spetses island
Spetses is a small, quiet, picturesque island nestled in the sparkling waters of the Saronic Gulf, only 2 1/2 hours from Athens, Greece. Its distinctive architecture and maritime legacy, surrounding the pristine beaches bathed in azure waters, and it’s car-free cobblestone streets, (bikes, scooters and horse carriages are the main form of transportation!) offer a traditional, calm and elegant atmosphere.
Where you’ll stay (the villa)
Our Villa is situated on the Spetses mountain offering a panoramic view of Spetses Island and the Saronic Sea. It is located in a quiet and serene location, but at the same time only a 15’ walk from the city center and the closest beach. It offers many large outdoor spaces and patios, ideal for lazy afternoon siestas and reading. It also has a large infinity pool overlooking Spetses Island and the Saronic Gulf, as well as a small olive grove, botanical gardens and one of the largest and well preserved threshing floors in Greece.
Your Accomodations
DOUBLE ROOM WITH GARDEN VIEW
Smaller (18sq m / 195sq f) rooms with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning or fan, overlooking our garden.
DOUBLE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW
Large (40sq m/431sq f) rooms with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and private balcony overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Saronic Sea.
TRIPLE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW
Large (40sq m/431sq f) rooms with en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and private balcony overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Saronic Sea.
Sample Schedule
*subject to change*
Sunday, July 6 - Suggested arrival after 12pm
Welcome
Satsang & Kirtan
Dinner
Monday, July 7 - Thursday, July 10
6:30am Meditation and Asana
7:45am Satsang & Kirtan
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Harmonium Class
12:00pm Lunch / Free time
5:00pm Kartals Class/Practice Time
6:30pm Satsang & Kirtan
8:00pm Dinner
Friday, July 11 - Suggested departure between 11am-6pm
Meditation and Asana
Satsang & Kirtan
Breakfast
Closing Circle
*Please note that the first retreat day starts at 6:00pm while the last retreat day concludes at 11am
Instruments
Students must provide their own harmoniums. We have a very limited harmoniums to loan during the retreat, and will be provided on a first come first serve basis. If you wish to purchase an instrument, please contact Ferdie for a list of recommended harmonium vendors or if you have any other questions.
You must also bring your own kartals. Please contact Ferdie if you are interested in purchasing a set for the training.
Please note: You should not check your harmonium on your airplane unless you have a sturdy case,. We strongly recommend overhead storage instead, to protect your instrument.
Retreat Pricing
Save $150 on Earlybird by April 30th.
Tenting*
Earlybird - $1,117 US
Regular - $1,267 US
Book here
Only 3 Spots Left
*You must provide your own tent and sleeping pad. We can provide bedding for you. You will have access to an outdoor shower and shared indoor half bathroom.
Triple room with sea view
Earybird - $1,414 US
Regular - $1,564 US
Book here
Only 3 Spots Left
Double room with garden view
Earlybird - $1,414 US
Regular - $1,564 US
Book here
Only 1 spot left
Double room with sea view
Earlybird - $1,486 US
Regular - $1,636 US
Book here
Only 4 Spots Left
Private room with garden view
Earlybird - $2,499 US
Regular - $2,649 US
Book here
Only 1 Spot Left
*Earlybird offer ends April 30th. Use coupon code GREECE150 at checkout.
*Registration for this retreat closes on June 15th, 2025
Please note: transfer fees from Athens airport to Spetses Island, Greece is not included (see below)
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Should you need to cancel for any reason, if you cancel by May 5th, you will receive a full refund, minus $300.
If you cancel between May 6th - May 20th, you will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations after May 20th.
getting from athens to spetses island, Greece
Via train from airport to Piraeus Port - $20 US roundtrip / $10 US one-way
or
Via taxi from airport to Piraeus Port (not shared) - $70 US one-way
plus
Via boat from Piraeus Port to Spetses Island - $110 US. Book your tickets here.
From Spetses Island port to the villa is a short, uphill walk OR you can take a taxi for approx. €10 EU
Suggested arrival time is after 12pm on Thursday, July 6th
Seth Lieberman
Seth Lieberman is a musician and yoga teacher residing in the Hudson Valley of New York. A lifelong music maker, he studied music composition, theory, clarinet, and piano at the University of Maryland, where he received BA in Music. During his 10 years of time living in New York City, he completed 3 different yoga teacher trainings. Seth has joined his two passions of music and yoga through playing and teaching the harmonium, leading kirtan, and creating original music related to mantra and yoga. He has been actively teaching harmonium both online and in-person for the past 8 years and has helped bring the joy of mantra and music to many students throughout the United States, Europe, India, Australia, Japan, and all over the world. He is excited to host his Harmonium and Kirtan retreat in Greece again this July!
BALI RICO
Bali Rico, founding member of the internationally renowned Kirtan group, The Mayapuris, is a multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, author and bhakta.
Born in the U.S. to Colombian parents, he spent his formative years living in ashrams in the sacred land of Mayapur, West Bengal, learning the traditions and music of ancient India.
Bali's mridanga playing is fiery and innovative, helping to create the Mayapuris signature sound. As a lyricist, Bali's flow mirrors the intricate rhythm of a born percussionist, with thoughtful prose full of insight, philosophy and personal reflection.
DHANYA RICo
Dhanya is a musician, traveling kirtaniya, and world-renowned educator on topics of personal and relationship wellness.
She holds a Master’s degree in Counselor Education and a Specialist’s degree in Couples and Family Therapy. For over a decade, Dhanya has helped empower individuals and relationships to thrive with deep spiritual principles at the core of transformational experiences.
Dhanya co-facilitates pilgrimages around the world, allowing participants to immerse themselves in the culture, practices and mysticism of the path of devotion.
Ferdie Lopez
Ferdie discovered yoga 25 years ago during a time when a new job, a new relationship, and a move to a new city simultaneously occurred. Over time, he learned that the “whole” of yoga is more than just the physical practice and began to cultivate a greater sense of self which allowed him to find a better balance between his spiritual and corporate life. Gradually, Ferdie’s connection to bhakti yoga grew, strengthening his devotional and spiritual practice which has guided him to where he is today, as a Krishna devotee and leading kirtans. He completed his 200 hour YTT with the Samarya Center in January 2015 and has been studying with Seth since November 2019.