An artistic residency in Senegal to write, create, and shape the artist you're becoming.
Teranga is the Wolof word for hospitality. But it means something more specific than that. It means: you belong here. No version of yourself that you have to maintain.
No audition. No performance. You belong here.
You'll have the space to ask the questions that matter: Who am I as an artist? What story do I want to tell? With professional recording equipment, vocal coaching, guitar support, and one-on-one artistic mentorship, you won't just imagine the answers, you'll record them.
Five days to find out.
Some things cannot be taught in a classroom. They can only be encountered.
The flow remains open. This is not a fixed curriculum, it is a living week that meets you where you are.
The only thing on your mind will be the music.
Les 3 Palmiers handles everything else: a private villa in Ngaparou, steps from the Atlantic, with a pool, lush gardens, and bungalows that feel like permission to slow down. You'll stay in twin or triple rooms, each with a mosquito net and a fan or air conditioning to keep the nights comfortable, and Wi-Fi throughout the villa so you can stay connected whenever you choose to.
Some people arrive in Senegal and realize five days was never going to be enough. Journey 2 was built for them.
Discover a wildlife sanctuary where giraffes, rhinos, zebras, antelopes and crocodiles roam freely in their natural habitat. A half-day safari into the heart of the Senegalese bush, followed by lunch back in Ngaparou.
Glide through the Somone lagoon by pirogue, between mangroves and sandbanks, in one of the most peaceful corners of the Petite Côte. A slow, quiet day on the water, home to herons, pelicans and countless birds.
A day in Toubab Dialaw, a coastal village known for its artistic spirit. Visit the École des Sables, the international center for traditional and contemporary African dance founded by Germaine Acogny, and feel how movement and music meet.
Take the ferry to Gorée, a UNESCO World Heritage island whose colorful streets carry a powerful history, including the House of Slaves. Then step into the energy of Dakar: its markets, its streets and its music.
Discover Lac Retba, the famous pink lake, where salt harvesters work the shallow waters. Then ride the surrounding dunes by quad, between the lake and the Atlantic.
Three ways to experience ARiA. One of them already feels right.
Discover Africa through unforgettable artistic residencies in the vibrant landscapes of Senegal
Talk it through with the people who make ARiA happen. A short, relaxed call to find the path that fits you.
ARiA is not a vocal course. It's for artists ready to be honest with themselves.
Gwen Thomas grew up inside the sound of African gospel, and it never let him go. That early immersion became the foundation of a musical journey that has taken him from church halls to the world's greatest stages including a transformative stint as a backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder, and a performance before the legendary Quincy Jones.
His music carries the world in it. Born of a mother from Gabon and Togo and a father from Senegal and Mauritania, Gwen moves naturally across West and Central African musical traditions, weaving them into a sound that is unmistakably his own: African rhythms layered with jazz, funk, and the deep pulse of gospel. That sound has earned him the AFRIMA Award for Best Jazz Artist in Africa and taken him to stages across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Alongside his career as a performer, Gwen is a certified Modern Vocal Training coach who has worked with over 900 singers, including Latin Grammy-nominated artists. His approach to teaching mirrors his approach to music: find what is most true about you, and build everything from there.
He built ARiA because the answer always came from the same place. Not from technique. Not from strategy. From knowing yourself well enough to stop performing and start saying something true.That is what these six days are about.
No surprises. Here's everything covered, step by step.
November in Senegal marks the beginning of the cool, dry season, offering some of the most pleasant weather of the year. In coastal areas like Dakar and Ngaparou, days are warm and sunny, typically ranging from 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F). Evenings are cooler and more comfortable thanks to ocean breezes. The rainy season has just ended, so visitors can expect clear skies, very low humidity, and virtually no rainfall. A light, dry wind from the Sahara known as the harmattan may begin to appear, bringing a slightly dusty but refreshing atmosphere.
Destination: Dakar, Senegal
Airport: Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
We recommend arriving between 9am and 5pm on Day 1 (November 10). Your shuttle driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding an ARiA sign. Arriving earlier in the day is strongly recommended. It allows time to settle into the villa, meet fellow participants, and relax before the welcome night.
Yes. That feeling is exactly why this residency exists. You don't need to have released music or performed on stage. If you write, dream, or simply feel called to create, you belong here.
Yes, Senegal is generally considered safe and is ranked as one of the safest countries in Africa.
No. The residency is held in English. A translator will be present for activities with locals who do not speak English.
Only 10 spots to preserve an intimate, focused experience.
Fill out the form, and you'll receive payment details via email. You can then pay in full or secure your place with a €250 non-refundable deposit, which guarantees your spot. Link in bio, or contact us directly.
Journeys, programme, villa and prices, in one PDF to read at your pace.
Artistic residencies and music experiences in Senegal. Led by an MVT certified coach.
