If we can move together, we can play together
Group activities that celebrate students' musical interests
Alternative notation and technology to expand the classroom walls
A space for musical exploration where we construct meaning together
Brazilian music workshops for children, adults, and educators in schools and cultural events.
Composed various songs for own albums, other artists', and compilations like Putumayo Kids Brazilian Playground.
Ph.D. from Georgia State University: "Teacher and Student Perspectives on Songwriting Pedagogy in Middle School"
Composed the soundtrack for the award-winning animation Ratos de Rua (Street Rats), dance shows, and theater plays.
I believe in the transformative power of music to bring people together. My goal is to inspire learners through inclusive, embodied, and creative music education practices.
My Musical Journey
My musical journey began at the age of 13, when I first picked up a guitar and started learning the riffs of my heroes. Later, when Tom Jobim passed away, I saw how deeply his music touched people across cultures. That moment reminded me of my responsibility to my roots and sparked a commitment to embrace Brazilian music.
Rio de Janeiro in the 1990s was a lively scene; I immersed myself in MPB, samba, bossa nova, capoeira, forró, and the vibrant nights of Lapa. This immersion in Rio's musical culture helped me fill gaps in my musical formation while rediscovering my country's rich cultural heritage.
After earning a PhD in Teaching and Learning at Georgia State University, where I studied songwriting pedagogy in secondary schools, I joined the music education faculty at Penn State. This website is a space for sharing music learning experiences both inside and outside of school, with learners and teachers from all backgrounds, locations, and ages.
