The University of Florida’s BRAZILIAN MUSIC INSTITUTE (BMI) is now in its ninth year. Sponsored by the Center for World Arts, the Center for Latin American Studies, the School of Music and UF Student Government, each year the BMI brings outstanding Brazilian musicians to Gainesville for an intensive week of instruction with students and musicians residing in the United States. This year’s BMI (May 4-9, 2009) provides a unique opportunity for guitarists and vocalists to study with three exceptional Brazilian artists: guitarists Cecilia Siqueira and Fernando Lima of Duo Siqueira Lima, and singer and guitarist Welson Tremura. Combining classical and popular styles of music, the weeklong institute features daily rehearsals and group lessons in Brazilian repertoire for guitar and voice as well as performances featuring students and faculty. The concluding concert will take place on the evening of May 8 (Friday), 7:30 PM at Santa Fe Community College (Building E) and will highlight the musical prowess of Cecilia and Fernando and guests. Please join us for a week of music making and experience some of the best of Brazilian music!

 

Guitarists Duo Siqueira Lima, comprised of Cecilia Siqueira, a native of Uruguay, and Fernando Lima, a native of Brazil, was formed in 2003 after they tied for first place as soloists in the International Guitar Competition II PRO MUSICA/SESC in southern Brazil. Since they established their partnership, Duo Siqueira Lima has quickly become one of Brazil's most acclaimed guitar duos, winning critical praise from around the world. The pair have performed at numerous venues and festivals throughout Europe and South America. The duo is noted for its wide and eclectic repertoire, which includes compositions from the Baroque period to diverse contemporary Brazilian musical pieces. They have released CDs in Brazil, and their most recent album "Lado a Lado" dedicates it repertoire to Brarzilian composers, featuring their own creative arrangements of pieces by Cesar Camargo Marino, Dominguinhos, João Bosco, Pattapio Silva and Pixinguinha.

Acclaimed Latin American artist and ethnomusicologist Dr. Welson Tremura maintains an active performance schedule and has been involved in performances, lectures and many interdisciplinary projects in the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, and New Zealand. Dr. Tremura is a trained musician well-versed in Brazilian Jazz and vocal music as well as traditional European classical forms. He coordinates the University of Florida's world music ensembles and is the Co-Director for Jacaré Brazil. Originally from the state of São Paulo, Dr. Tremura studied classical guitar with Marcos Barbosa and later attended Weber State University in Utah, the University of Tennessee, where he received an MM in music (voice performance), and Florida State Univesity, where he completed his Ph.D. (musicology-ethnomusicology).