ViYarte Presents: The Sound Series Vol. II
A DJ Production & Ableton Immersive
March 8 - 15*, 2026 | ViYarte, Boutique Hotel | Playa Marsella, Nicaragua
*with optional add on 3-day extension with a catamaran trip
Where Sound Meets The Surf
Get Ready To Dive In:
Music is one of the most essential foundations of our shared human experience. It lifts us up, connects us, brings celebration to ordinary moments and becomes the ultimate soundtrack to our life.
We are so thrilled to bring this week long Ableton Production and DJing immersive retreat to ViYarte with our headlining teachers and DJs : Maddy O'neal (@maddy_oneal) and The Gaff (@thegaff).
Why?
We love electronic music and value the importance of it as an art form and genre of music. Production can sometimes be isolating, so this event is for you to come together, meet artistic peers, spend time on your own tracks, and collectively produce an original song with the crew.
Annnd we get to do it all in a tropical paradise, a 5 min walk from the beach :)
We designed this program with the questions - “If I were to launch my DJ career how could I get the technical tips and software experience, the most in depth and accessible information, and learn in real time from industry professionals?” at the forefront.
Is This For Me?
We understand that in a market where there are so many possible ways to begin your career, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
This retreat experience is designed for you to gain clarity on how to move forward on a successful path built from your passion.
This retreat is for you if:
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You have a strong love for making electronic music
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You have some Ableton experience at a beginner or intermediate level
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You want to be a DJ or currently are a DJ and want to refine some of your technique in track creation or performance
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You want to gain access to industry knowledge from touring professionals
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You are seeking artistic inspiration and new connections
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You want to be able to live with and learn from accomplished Djs
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You are eager to create an original song with the pros while in retreat
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You want to better understand how to market and brand yourself online
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If you want 1 on 1 additional mentorship from our teachers
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You like to travel with rad humans
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You'd love a chance to DJ at an epic showcase and on a catamaran
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You have a desire to meet new people and go on an adventure
If you want to know more, we would love to answer your questions.
Meet Your Teachers:
MADDY O'NEAL
Dirty Funky Bass Music but make it Pretty
Maddy O'Neal's music embodies a rich tapestry of genres within bass music. Her sound, characterized by lush future textures and atmospheric layers, draws heavily from her roots in funk and soul. These influences meld with deep melodic bass frequencies and innovative synth designs, creating a unique sonic space within the electro-soul and bass music communities.
Coming up in the Denver scene from 2011 and newly a Los Angeles resident, Maddy has carved out her distinct niche, infusing her productions with a signature blend of soulful melodies, driving basslines, and glitchy hip-hop rhythms.
As a self-taught producer and DJ with a creatively charged background, Maddy's live performances are dynamic and immersive. She crafts a narrative journey through her sets, mixing original compositions with drum pad sequences and diverse tracks ranging from gritty, low-end bangers to shimmering, mid-tempo vocal bass and head-nodding disco beats. Her relentless touring schedule, boasting numerous shows annually for the past five years, Maddy showcases her unstoppable momentum and ability to energize audiences nationwide.
Maddy's discography includes standout tracks like "Zest Please," a collaboration with CloZee that garnered over 4 million Spotify plays. Her impressive body of work also features two full length LP’s - “Ricochet” released in 2023 which really began her ascent into the stratosphere and Vital Signs in 2024. Her most recent and heaviest EP to date “Creatures Of My Mind” EP showcase Maddy O'Neal's dynamic range, sound design and genre-blending prowess. Her extensive catalogue features a discography full soulful, funky bass music with elements of future bass, hip-hop, and electronic vibes.
Maddy O'Neal has graced the stages of major festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, Bonnaroo, Red Rocks (x5), to name a few. She has toured with and supported renowned artists such as Pretty Lights, Griz, Clozee, LSDream, Daily Bread, Of The Trees, Big Gigantic, Liquid Stranger and more.
www.maddyoneal.com
>>> Maddy O'Neal on Spotify HERE
The Gaff
The Gaff is a lifelong DJ/producer with skills & cuts, heart & class; “One foot in the future, and one foot in the past.” As a DJ, The Gaff elevates the artform of seamless multi-genre mixing — Club and Electronic Sounds from: House, 140 & Baila to a level easily combined with world music & global bass from all over the planet with the soul of a true Hip Hop Artist. The result is amazing live performances with scratching, big smiles & a massive party rockin flavor!
As a producer The Gaff’s sonic palette is extensive from solo hip hop work, bangin remixes, 140 to uptempo dancefloor house bangers most recently with his group MVPZ with Amp Live which is making big waves on the scene currently with their unique team up.
The Gaff is often referred to as A DJ's' DJ, cited as a top favorite amongst some of the world’s best & titled by peers as one of Canada's greatest. He is a resident DJ of the Fractal Forest at Shambhala for over 10 years. His tracks have been used & played by World Class Dj's at shows around the globe. Sharing his adventures and sounds on his weekly Live streams as a Twitch Partner.
Born In Washington D.C. U.S.A, Gaff was raised in Victoria B.C., Canada, honing his skills throughout the turn of the century…Gaff has Warmed it up for & oftentimes played right alongside notable Artists & Dj's & Producers Such as: Common, Questlove, Big Boi, Z-Trip, Dj Shadow, Dj Premier, World DMC Champ Roc Raida (RIP), Just Blaze, Nu-Mark, Cut Chemist, Dj Maseo of De La Soul, Ali Shahied Muhammed of Tribe Called Quest, Dj Jazzy Jeff and can be found adventuring with some of his best friends: Askillz, Krafty Kuts, Skratch Bastid, Fort Knox Five. Then, there’s The Hip Hop Legends Gaff's Promoted or opened up for: Jurassic 5, Common, The Roots, Big Boi, Del the Funky Homosapien, Souls Of Mischief and many many more. Underground to Overground.
The other side of The Gaff, beyond the musical arts, yields a lifelong pursuit of the healing arts: Acupuncturist, Energy Healer, RMT, Tonic Herbalist, Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan, Meditation, Skateboarding, Father, Husband, and Business Owner/ Entrepreneur
>>> The Gaff on Spotify HERE
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Meet The Full Crew
Our full team roster to help curate an incredible experience
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What Will I Learn?
Ableton Production
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A 5 class /12+ hour progressive series
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A start to finish original track co-creation in Ableton with the group
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Maddy O'Neal & The Gaff to guide you through their process of track creation
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Using plugins to achieve a desired sound
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Navigating Ableton as a DAW
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Advanced mixing techniques
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Understanding the basics of Mastering
Remixing and Scratching
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Scratching 101 with The Gaff
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What are the elements of a great remix
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How to successfully remix your track
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Why is being able to remixing important
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How to get your remixes noticed and widely circulated
Artist Branding and Networking
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Define your artist brand to reflect your unique self
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Develop a personal narrative that resonates with fans
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Craft your visual identity: logos, color, font, tone, visual direction
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Build a consistent online presence across platforms
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Industry insight for the secret tips and unconventional hacks how to succeed
Artistic Performance and Set Curation
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Craft the perfect set: pacing, flow, and reading the crowd
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Custom edits for a unique performance and on-brand sound (Ableton)
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Build your stage persona
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Styling to align with your artist brand
Artistic and Career Marketing
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Build a marketing strategy
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Simplify strategy to avoiding overwhelm
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Content that connects with, and builds, your audience
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Data and analytics to make informed decisions
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Partnerships and collaborations for wider reach
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Money $$$ talk. Develop an artist marketing budget
Creative Process and Panel Discussion
Q and A's with the teachers about the realities of being a professional artist and the tools that one can use once working in the industry to stay relevant and overcome the pressures.
Plus private mentorship services are available
In addition we will have morning yoga and meditation, surf lessons, performance jams, a blindfold 5 course dinner with headphone sound journey, pool parties with DJ sets from the curation team and a chance to DJ yourself and so much more…
Sample Schedule
Rooms and Pricing
*Earlybird pricing is on now for $200 off
valid until November 30th!
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Shared Room
$2300 USD*
*Earlybird Price
Stay in a shared room (for 3 - 4 people) with AC, hot water and private WC. Join us for 7 nights/ 8 days with 3 meals a day and full Sound Series program and training.
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Twin Share
$2500 USD
Earlybird Price
Stay in a room for 2 people with AC, hot water and private WC. Join us for 7 nights/ 8 days with 3 meals a day and full Sound Series program and training.
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Private Room
$3000 USD
Earlybird Price
Enjoy your own private room (for 1 person) with AC, hot water and private WC. Join us for 7 nights/ 8 days with 3 meals a day and full Sound Series program and training.
3 Night Exension
Extend your stay in paradise for only $500 inc meals and a catamaran trip!
Ask us about our extension to stay at ViYarte with your favourite artists and friends through until March 18th.
Join us on a catamaran trip, work on your music, get one on one coaching, record in a professional music studio and more.
Airport Options
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Managua - is the capitol of Nicaragua and 2.5 hours from ViYarte. It's the easiest flight but not often the cheapest
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Liberia, Costa Rica - is only 1 hour from the Nicaraguan border, and ViYarte is only 1 hour from there! Liberia often has the cheapest and best flights and is the most common airport to fly into
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San Jose, Costa Rica - is 4-5 hours from the Nicaraguan border but can have the cheapest international flights. Usually best if you're staying in Costa Rica before or after
*Please reach out to us about any travel or flight questions. We can also help with transport and shuttles :)
