THE MINDFULSOUND PIANIST RETREAT

 

7‑Day Immersive Artistic Retreat in the North of Portugal with

MARIA JOÃO PIRES

Exploring sound, presence, and inner resonance

The inspiration behind this retreat is the desire to create a sanctuary where music can return to its most fundamental essence: silence, listening, and truth.

This experience fosters a deep connection among pianists, nature, and their inner selves. In today’s fast-paced world, noise often drowns out silence, speed replaces presence,and productivity overshadows meaning. As a result, many people unconsciously drift away from the inner space where truth, intuition, and clarity thrive. 

Artistic Faculty & Guest Practitioners

Maria João Pires - Pianist & Mentor

Ana Moreira da Silva - Artistic Director,  Pianist, Sound Medicine Practitioner & Researcher

Sound Medicine Special Guests - Sound Healing, Neuroscience & Somatic Healing

Bodywork Practitioners - Yoga, Pilates & Embodied Movement

 

 

The MindfulSound Pianist Retreat invites each participant to slow down, to listen deeply, to rediscover the essence of their artistic voice and to return to the body as the first instrument.

The Retreat Experience

  1. One‑to‑One piano lesson with Maria João Pires (2H30)
  2. Mindful piano performance with Ana Moreira da Silva
  3. Deep listening practices
  4. Sound‑medicine sessions
  5. Talks and reflective conversations
  6. Body‑awareness practices

Location

The retreat will take place in Porto — a vibrant cultural city in the north of Portugal, where history, art, and the Atlantic atmosphere create an inspiring environment for deep listening and inner transformation.

 

Full Schedule

2 SETEMBER: THE ART OF LISTENING TO YOURSELF BEFORE YOU PLAY

09h30–10h00 — Arrival & check‑in

10h00–10h30 — Opening circle

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

 

3 SETEMBER: THE BODY THAT PLAYS - INTEGRATION PRACTICE

10h00–10h30 — Embodied Practice for Pianists

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

 

4 SETEMBER: EXPRESSION BORN FROM SILENCE

10h00–10h30 — Embodied Practice for Pianists

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

 

5 SETEMBER: INNER RESONANCE - SOUND, EMOTION AND INTERPRETATION

10h00–10h30 — Embodied Practice for Pianists

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

 

6 SETEMBER: THE MUSICAL PHRASE, DIRECTION AND THE LIVING LINE OF MUSIC

10h00–10h30 — Embodied Practice for Pianists

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

 

7 SETEMBER: THE HEALTHY PIANIST — PREPARING AND RESTORING THE PERFORMER

10h00–10h30 — Embodied Practice for Pianists

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

 

8 SETEMBER: THE ROLE OF THE PERFORMER

10h00–10h30 — Embodied Practice for Pianists

10h30–13h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson

13H00–14h30 — Lunch

14h30–15h30 — Mindful piano performance (Ana Moreira da Silva)

15h30–18h00 — Maria João Pires One‑to‑One piano lesson