KIKO Residency

One week. One teacher. Your rhythm.

20 hours of personalized djembe and dunun instruction in rural Portugal. One-on-one, and tailored to you.

All levels welcome — from complete beginners to advanced players.

Apply for KIKO Residency View Open Dates
Inside the residency

The experience in motion

Explore moments from the residency. Use the arrows to move between videos.

What this is

A week shaped around your playing

KIKO Residency is a personalized djembe and dunun learning experience for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced players.

Stay in a quiet rural setting near Pombal, Portugal, and work directly with Kiko Bento in two guided sessions of approximately two hours each day — 20 scheduled hours across the week. Sessions can occasionally run longer when both teacher and participant wish to continue.

The teaching is built around your goals, musical interests, strengths, and areas for development. Whether you want to work on sound, traditional rhythms, dunun accompaniments, solo language, or improvisation, the program evolves with you.

The standard residency is one-on-one, with the teacher's attention entirely on you. Friends or couples may also apply together for a shared two-person experience.

The drumming

20 hours tailored to you

Choose your focus: djembe, dununs, or a combination. There is no fixed curriculum; your sessions are shaped around your level, interests, and progress.

  • Djembe sound, technique, and control
  • Dunun patterns, technique, and rhythmic coordination
  • Traditional rhythms and ensemble relationships
  • Solo phrases, solo chains, and call-and-response
  • Technical drills and targeted repetition exercises
  • Timing, groove, rhythmic independence, and endurance
  • Improvisation and musical interaction

Fit

Who this is for

  • Players of all levels, including complete beginners
  • Anyone who wants personalized djembe or dunun teaching
  • Players interested in traditional rhythms, technique, and musicality
  • People who value focused practice and direct feedback
  • Those who enjoy a simple, quiet, rural environment
Expectations

What to expect

  • A learning-focused week, rather than a conventional holiday
  • Four scheduled hours of drumming each day
  • Practice adapted to your abilities and energy
  • Time between sessions for rest and independent activities
  • Simple accommodation
The week

Daily rhythm

A steady daily rhythm with two approximately two-hour drumming sessions, alongside meals, recovery, and independent time. The drumming sessions are the only required activity.

08:00Gym
10:00Breakfast
11:00Drumming Session I
14:00Lunch
15:00Drumming Session II
18:00Meditation
19:00Dinner

Gym and meditation are available but optional. Drumming sessions may occasionally run longer by mutual agreement.

Inside the environment

Your djembe session is about to begin

Step out of your private living area, cross the compound, and walk into the studio as the next session starts.

Participant experience

In their own words

I recently joined Kiko residency and I couldn't be more satisfied. Francisco is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and truly passionate about teaching. He makes you feel comfortable. Even if my background is not so consolidated, I felt supported and challenged. The one-to-one lessons are well structured and give you a hands-on and immersive experience.

The house is clean, welcoming and offers personal spaces to relax. I really enjoyed having fresh breakfast and meals together on the terrace. I felt completely settled into a healthy routine.

An unforgettable experience, highly recommended! Thank you Kiko!

Stefano Arnone Residency participant · Italy
Pricing

Your residency week

€1,000

Individual residency · one participant

  • 20 hours of personalized, private djembe and dunun instruction
  • Private accommodation
  • Three meals per day
  • Gym access
  • Djembe and percussion equipment
  • Local transportation during the residency
  • Pickup and drop-off at Pombal station
Coming with a friend or partner?

Two people who know each other can apply together for €800 per person (€1,600 total). Instruction and accommodation are shared.

Availability

Current Dates

Current window: April to mid-July 2027.

Each week is reserved for one individual or one pair applying together. Arrival is Sunday; departure is Saturday.

4–10 Apr Available
11–17 Apr Available
18–24 Apr Available
25 Apr – 1 May Available
2–8 May Available
9–15 May Available
16–22 May Available
6–12 Jun Available
13–19 Jun Booked
20–26 Jun Available
27 Jun – 3 Jul Available
4–10 Jul Available
11–17 Jul Available
How it works

Application process

1
2
Application Review
Your application is reviewed personally.
3
Confirmation
If accepted, you'll receive confirmation of your dates and payment details.
4
Secure Your Week
Pay the deposit to reserve your residency week.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Overview

What is the KIKO Residency?

A personalized djembe and dunun residency in rural Portugal, with 20 scheduled hours of guided drumming across five days. The standard experience is one-on-one.

How much drumming is there?

Two sessions of approximately two hours per day, for a total of 20 scheduled hours across five teaching days. Sessions may occasionally run longer by mutual agreement, but extra teaching time is not guaranteed.

Do I need prior djembe experience?

No. All levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced players. Instruction is adapted to your level, interests, and goals.

Can I attend with a friend or partner?

Yes. While the standard residency is one-on-one, two friends or a couple can apply together. Both participants share the instruction and accommodation, and the teaching is adapted to their combined goals and abilities. The price is €800 per person (€1,600 total).

Joint applications are treated as a single booking for scheduling and payments.

Do I have to follow the full daily routine?

No.

The only required part of the residency is the drumming sessions.

Gym and meditation are part of the daily environment, but participation is optional.

Logistics

Where does it take place?

Pombal, central Portugal. You stay in a private independent living area within the same house and compound where Kiko lives and works.

What is the accommodation like?

Simple, clean, and functional. Solo participants have private accommodation. Friends or couples applying together share the accommodation with each other.

Is there free time?

Yes. Periods between activities are available for independent time and recovery.

Pricing & What’s Included

What is the price?

€1,000 for an individual residency. Two friends or a couple applying together pay €800 per person (€1,600 total).

What is included in the price?
  • 20 hours of personalized djembe and dunun instruction
  • Private accommodation for individuals; shared accommodation for pairs
  • Three meals per day
  • Gym access
  • Djembe and percussion equipment
  • Local transportation during the residency
  • Pickup and drop-off at Pombal station
What is NOT included?
  • Flights
  • Travel to Portugal
  • Transport to Pombal

Pickup from Pombal train/bus station is included.

Equipment & Preparation

Do I need to bring my own djembe?

No. Djembe and dunun equipment are available. You can bring your own instruments if you prefer.

What should I bring?
  • Training clothes
  • Water bottle
  • Optional: your own instruments
  • Finger tape / hand care
  • Ear protection
  • Sunscreen / sunglasses

Diet

What kind of diet is provided?

A structured vegetarian diet. Simple, nutritious, and consistent. It includes smoothies, protein shakes, and solid meals built around carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plant-based proteins.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Some can, if communicated in advance.

Access & Policy

What is the payment structure and cancellation policy?
  • A deposit is required to secure your week; it is normally non-refundable, subject to applicable law.
  • The remaining balance is due at least 14 days before arrival.
  • Cancellation 14 or more days before arrival: one reschedule may be requested, subject to availability.
  • Cancellation less than 14 days before arrival, no-show, or early departure: no refund under the stated policy, subject to applicable law.
  • For pairs, one participant acts as primary booking contact. If one withdraws, conversion to an individual residency (€1,000) may be requested but requires approval and agreed payment adjustments; it is never automatic.

Full conditions are provided in the application form and confirmed before payment.

Apply

Start your application

Tell us about your playing, goals, and preferred week. The application is short and reviewed personally.

Before applying, check the available dates above.

Start Application

Questions before applying? residency@kikobento.com