Faculty & Classes

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.

Pandeiro

We will cover choro and samba as well as other Brazilian musical styles using traditional, and modern techniques, like those of Marcos Suzano.

brian-rice.com

Advanced Guitar

In the advanced guitar class, we will explore the universe of Brazilian music, including its influences, styles and trends, focusing particularly on (1) the guitar and its importance and role in this universe.

(2) the guitar vocabulary used in song and instrumental music today in Brazil, applying it to composition, comping and improvisation. read more>

chicopinheiro.com

Samba percussion and vocals, Int. Choro

Samba - Join us to sing and play samba in a large group context. Our class focuses on familiarity with repertoire, and we encourage every participant - vocalist or instrumentalist - to learn to sing all the sambas they perform. The repertoire is varied and includes rarely played older sambas from the "Terreiro" tradition and other classics of the samba repertoire. The repertoire will be made available before camp. Having some basic knowledge of how to play the instrument you bring is necessary. If you don't play any instruments, join us for singing!

Intermediate Choro - This workshop is dedicated to the group study and performance of Choro repertoire, exploring the Polka, Maxixe, Choro, and Choro Sambado, emphasizing style-specific levadas (comping) and rhythmic interpretation. These classes are aimed at students who are familiar with basic chords and comping and have some fluency in reading musical notation. We will explore the roles of soloists and accompanists within the context of a Regional-focused Choro Roda.

Cavaquinho, Intermediate Choro, and Samba

Intermediate Choro - This workshop is dedicated to the group study and performance of Choro repertoire, exploring the Polka, Maxixe, Choro, and Choro Sambado, emphasizing style-specific levadas (comping) and rhythmic interpretation. These classes are aimed at students who are familiar with basic chords and comping and have some fluency in reading musical notation. We will explore the roles of soloists and accompanists within the context of a Regional-focused Choro Roda.

Samba - Join us to sing and play samba in a large group context. Our class focuses on familiarity with repertoire, and we encourage every participant - vocalist or instrumentalist - to learn to sing all the sambas they perform. The repertoire is varied and includes rarely played older sambas from the "Terreiro" tradition and other classics of the samba repertoire. The repertoire will be made available before camp. Having some basic knowledge of how to play the instrument you bring is necessary. If you don't play any instruments, join us for singing!

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.

Songs of Guinga

Explore the music of one of Brazil's greats, Guinga, as he joins us for a unique experience. For guitarists, singers, and all instruments.

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.

Beginning Guitar

Beginning guitar will focus on basic chords and rhythms found in Brazilian popular music. The different concepts will be applied in learning songs from the great Brazilian song book.

Dance - Gafieira

During our samba de gafieira classes, we will connect with the elements that constitute the core of the gafieira, the principles that precede thinking about samba as a couple, thus learning the reasons and sensations for which one chooses to move in that way in samba (with vibration, fluidity, liquidity) building bases to dialogue and connect with oneself, with others, and with the culture and history of samba. As we dance alone 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. All Levels including complete beginners welcome.

Beginning Bateria

Students will learn about the fundamental elements of the samba school bateria, rhythmic concepts and skill development for all instruments and the importance of each instrument's role in the ensemble. FUN will be our main focus! Vamos que vamos!

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.

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.

Drumset

We will cover the most common Brazilian rhythms on the drum set, such as samba, baião, ijexá, maracatu and more. We’ll talk about the concepts and technique necessary to play these rhythms on the drums with an authentic feel and swing.

We’ll also talk about the role of our instrument in different performing situations, and also my favorite exercises to help develop and master the feel and language used when we play Brazilian music on the drums.

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

Monica and Teco Cardoso (sax and flute) have prepared special classes for Brazil Camp for singers and wind players, exploring accents, divisions, dictions and articulations based on three Brazilian music styles SAMBA, BAIÃO and BOSSA NOVA.

Listening to examples, creating vocal patterns and grooves for the styles and soloing over the grooves to practice.

In the student performance we’ll perform songs from class, as well AMAZON RIVER by Dori Caymmi to be sung with students of the Big Band classes.

monicasalmaso.com

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

Dance - Afro

My class, MixBrasil, is an infusion of many Afro-Brazilian dances (orixás, samba, samba reggae, afro contemporâneo and street dance) that people from Salvador dance in their natural organic way.

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/Gafieira

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!

Ensemble/Woodwinds

I’ve shared the stage with talents like Joyce Moreno, Moacir Santos, Dori Caymmi, Lea Freire, Rosa Passos, Guilherme Vergueiro, and so on. And learning a lot with them. So this week I’ll share this experience getting into their music (and mine), compositions, arrangements and interpretation. The language of samba, maracatu, choro, baião, bossa nova. Accents, articulation, improvisation. How to read beyond the written notes on the sheet. Language. Let’s talk/sound/play/speak Brazilian.

Let’s have some fun !!