Renowned Brazilian musicians to conduct concerts, classes in Gainesville

May 1, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Brazilian Music Institute is bringing outstanding Brazilian musicians to Florida to conduct a week of intensive instruction with musicians residing in the United States. The event, which will include free evening concerts, takes place May 7-12 at Santa Fe Community College.

Combining classical and popular styles of music, the weeklong institute features daily rehearsals and group lessons in Brazilian repertoire for guitar and performances featuring students and faculty.

The BMI provides a unique opportunity for guitarists to study with exceptional Brazilian musicians. This year Paulo Martelli (Baroque 11-string and classical guitar) and Diego Figueiredo (jazz and new Brazilian guitar) will teach classes and give performances.

Two evening concerts will highlight the musical prowess of Martelli and Figueiredo.

The seventh-annual event is sponsored by the College of Fine Arts’ Center for World Arts, Digital Worlds Institute and the School of Music, along with the Center for Latin American Studies, UF Student Government and Santa Fe Community College.

The concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 10 and 11 at Santa Fe Community College, Building E, and are free and open to the public. To register for classes, contact Welson Tremura, the Brazilian Music Institute director, at 335-392-0375, ext. 814 or Tremura@ufl.edu.

The goal of the Brazilian Music Institute is to provide student and faculty artists as well as community musicians the opportunity to learn about and experience Brazilian culture through its music. Additionally, the BMI acts to serve as a liaison and academic resource to other institutions through digital technology.