Faculty & Classes

Guitar and Choro Ensemble

My choro harmony class will offer professional and amateur musicians a detailed harmonic study of Brazilian choro. We will analyze some of the more common harmonies used in choro and develop an understanding of their use in composition.

I’ll also lead a class on baixarias for 6 and 7-string guitar.

Beginning Bateria

A native of New Orleans, Bomani Pierre has been playing samba his whole life . He will be teaching the basic rhythmic patterns of samba. As a mestre under Curtis Pierre’s Casa Samba in New Orleans and a Ritmista with Rio’s renowned Salgueiro samba school, Bomani brings deep knowledge and experience to his instruction.

In his workshop, he will demonstrate how each instrument contributes to the groove of samba, introduce various bossas (rhythmic breaks), and explain how they interlock with traditional samba rhythms. Bomani will also assist Gustavo and Guilherme with the advanced bateria sessions.

Beginning Guitar

Week 1 Beginning Guitar will cover basic techniques for fingerstyle and pickstyle guitar as needed, as well as a handful of songs in the bossa nova, samba and forró genres. Accompaniment of songs with vocals will be the primary focus; singers wishing to sing are welcome. Guitarists with questions as to improvisation, choro guitar language, expanding their knowledge are welcome. Acoustic guitars are ideal. If you have an electric guitar you may need to bring a battery powered amp. Beginning cavaquinho/mandolin/uke players also welcome to join. Check back for charts/lyrics to download prior to camp. This class is best for students that have at least 1 year experience with guitar but wish to improve their skills and knowledge of Brazilian guitar.

Pandeiro

In this beginners class, you will learn the basic pandeiro technique that will allow you to play any rhythms you want, including choro, samba, baião, capoeira. It best suits those who have never played pandeiro before.

Advanced class: This class is dedicated to expanding ways to play Brazilian rhythms on the pandeiro. We will cover the most important basic patterns, and add variations and ways to improvise on each rhythm including, choro, samba, maxixe, baião, xôte, côco, maracatu, and ijexá. claricecast.com

Drumset/Percussion

The drumset class will explore Brazilian rhythms from the evolution of samba, like samba de roda, samba-enredo, samba de raiz, among others, as well as traditional dance rhythms like baião, xote, maracatu and frevo. Douglas’ technique focuses on coordination and precision in playing the rhythms authentically, with a focus on proper sound, dynamics, accents and tempo. The class is aimed to give both beginners and advanced players a greater command in playing these rhythms.

Douglas will also lead a class on the percussion instruments of samba and pagode. The class will not only teach the techniques of each instrument, but will explain how to unite them all together into an ensemble. The class proposes to present an interactive environment to experiment with different instruments and understand their roles in a roda de samba or pagode.

Percussion

Gabriel Lopes will lead a "Contemporary Batucada" workshop, exploring adaptations of Brazilian and non-Brazilian rhythms played on classic samba school bateria instruments (surdos, repique, tamborim, caixa, chocalho, and agogô). Participants will develop technical skills through exercises focused on striking techniques, dynamics, and instrument tuning to achieve batucada’s authentic, powerful sound. The workshop will also delve into the history and cultural significance of each rhythm, examining their roots and evolution. Finally, we’ll put theory into practice by arranging these rhythms into contemporary musical contexts, playing actual song arrangements. This workshop will deepen your understanding of batucada while expanding your rhythmic vocabulary.

Advanced Bateria and Pagode

Mestre de Bateria do Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Guilherme and his brother Gustavo will bring the latest from Rio bateria styles to Cazadero.

Advanced Bateria and Pagode

Mestre de Bateria do Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Gustavo and his brother Guilherme will bring the latest from Rio bateria styles to Cazadero.

Dance

During our Samba de Gafieira (partner samba) classes, we will connect with the elements that constitute the core of the gafieira, the principles that precede thinking about samba as a couple, and learn the reasons and sensations for which one chooses to move in samba with vibration, fluidity, liquidity. We will build bases to dialogue and connect with oneself, with others, and with the culture and history of samba.

As we dance individually and as a couple, we will learn the basic elements that constitute the formal language of samba de gafieira, but always with room for improvisation, as the dance is alive and is created by those who dance!

Candomble percussion and song

Jorge will be teaching two classes - Bata Ketu with Michael and Mark, and a class on the songs that go with the drumming for the orixás. This class is open to all students. jorgealabe.com

Dance - Advanced Samba

Kellyn’s back at CBC with her Rhythmic Sensations samba no pe class, with a strong focus on musicality and interaction with the musicians. The class will culminate with a choreography built on techniques learned through the week. This class is aimed at advanced students

Brazilian Jazz Ensemble

Using tunes from my latest CD, Brasil From Head To Toe, I'll be teaching some of the key rhythms from Brazil, including Samba, Baião, Samba Funk, and a groove variation played in the south of Brazil called Guarania/Rancheira. In particular, I'll be talking about the two sides of the samba rhythm, and how to decide which one to use. I'll also be exploring with you the roles that the different instruments in an ensemble play in creating these grooves.

Bata Ketu / Percussion

Bata Ketu, a "Musical Interplay of Cuba and Brazil" is a project founded by Mark with Michael Spiro, with special participation by Jorge Alabê. All three will lead this class, focusing on the rhythms and songs from the cultures that shape so much of the music that Brazil Camp is about. For percussion and vocals. This class will focus on the relationship between Brazilian rhythms and other Afro-Centric music of the New World, particularly Afro-Cuban music. We will explore the relationship and commonalities between the folkloric and popular musics from both cultures, and see how they relate to and inform each other.

Bata Ketu / Percussion

Bata Ketu, a "Musical Interplay of Cuba and Brazil" is a project founded by Michael with Mark Lamson, with special participation by Jorge Alabê. All three will lead this class, focusing on the rhythms and songs from the cultures that shape so much of the music that Brazil Camp is about. For percussion and vocals. This class will focus on the relationship between Brazilian rhythms and other Afro-Centric music of the New World, particularly Afro-Cuban music. We will explore the relationship and commonalities between the folkloric and popular musics from both cultures, and see how they relate to and inform each other.

Portuguese

I have been a Portuguese teacher for over thirty years. I understand that a language class has to be fun and relate to one's reality. This class integrates some grammar, language structure, and culture. It is about understanding the Brazilian life style, slang, and the language of the everyday life. We study a vocabulary that relates to what we do, and our lives and interests. A special attention is paid to pronunciation and consequently to the use of different muscles in the mouth.

We have students of different levels in the same class and everyone can benefit from it. Whenever possible, we work on songs and lyrics and whatever are the students' interests.

Vocal

We`re going to explore the Brazilian Popular Music itself. Exchange experiences, check out recordings, timbres, voices combinations. For those who want to, voice warm ups and vocal techniques, breathing, especially for beginners. Repertoire for the pros, vocal adequacy for the Brazilian music, phrasing, assembly of little ensembles and performances with duos, trios and solos. And the most important thing , having fun with our voices, demystifying and humanizing the singer, making ourselves believe that it's possible.

Yoga

There's nothing more delicious than a yoga practice early morning and out in nature. In yoga, we experience the power of our breath, the strength of our body and the peacefulness of our mind. Through a series of asanas (yoga postures) that are friendly to all levels, plus conscious breathing and deep relaxation, you will awaken to the most beautiful self you have ever experienced. patyrenda.com

Pagode / cavaquinho

I plan on covering all main samba and pagode composers, such as Zeca Pagodinho, Martinho da Vila, Beth Carvalho, Paulinho da Viola, Almir Guineto as well as some Samba enredos.

Orixás dance movement and Silvestre Technique

SILVESTRE TECHNIQUE, native to Salvador, Bahia, is a continuously evolving contemporary dance technique with the objective of conditioning the dancer through physical and expressive training regardless of level or prior training. Classes are accompanied by live music to further awaken expression and inspiration. All levels are welcomed and encouraged.

ORIXÅ DANCE MOVEMENT examines and interprets symbols, gestures and movements derived from Yoruba deities. We will be learning traditional dances/ movements as we identify their specific energies/traits in relation to the 4 elements :Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. silvestretraining.com

Dance - Beginning Samba

Beginning Brazilian dance will explore the diversity of Brazilian popular dances through movement and context. Learn universal dance technique and breakdown the basics of samba, samba afro, pagode baiano and more, in a welcoming and fun environment. Come enjoy your body and move with the music of Brazil!

Guitar / Composition

We're very excited to announce that the legendary Grammy Award winning artist Toninho Horta will be back at Brazil Camp in 2025!

Toninho will run an advanced guitar class taking a closer look at the breakdown of his guitar style

His second class will be an ensemble class for all instruments, integrating horns, bass and drums into some of his compositions.