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World-class faculty in spectacular locations
SMJ-Rio de Janeiro 2024
January 27 - February 3, 2024
plus ... Optional Trip Extension to Paraty!
February 3 - 6, 2024
Ever dream of spending a week in Brazil where the mountains meet the sea, where Brazilian rhythms float through the air as you sip a soothing tropical drink? Imagine adding in the opportunity to study with a who’s who of Brazilian music. Welcome to paradise!
Samba Meets Jazz Workshops invites instrumentalists and vocalists (hobbyists, working musicians & educators) to:
STUDY 5 hours daily with a stellar faculty
PERFORM at Rio Jazz Club
EXPLORE the music, sights, cuisine, and people of this magical city
CONNECT with like-minded adults & world-renowned muscians
A Special Invitation to
Brazilian Music Enthusiasts!
Love Brazilian music? Want to explore Rio's culture with like-minded adults? SMJ-RIO is the perfect opportunity! Our "Enthusiast" package includes all group sightseeing tours/excursions and dinners, special music pesentations, and evening outings. Plus, our guide is available if you'd like to book additional tours between 2pm - 5pm (either individual or small group). And if not, the pool and beach will be calling your name!
Words are not sufficient to describe the magic of Rio de Janeiro – that’s why we’re inviting you to view, and hear, this mesmerizing video Rio de Janeiro Tour & Bossa Nova Playlist!
Brazilian Music Immersion
Instrumental & Vocal Programs
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SMJ-RIO 5-day instructional program includes and integrates:
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Brazilian Styles (Samba, Partido Alto, Bossa Nova, Baião, music of Northeast Brazil, Choro)
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Brazilian Phrasing & Articulation
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Brazilian Rhythmic Explorations through percussion
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Instrumental Ensembles
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Vocal Coaching - repertoire, song interpretation, phrasing, Portuguese pronunciation for participants singing in Portuguese
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Harmony & Improvisation
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Rhythm Section Lab
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Batucada (Carnaval percussion)
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Jam with faculty
This immersion into Brazilian music will be complemented and enhanced by:
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Visits to a variety of music venues – from Chorinho, Samba style, and MPB popular music, to a Samba School rehearsal in preparation for Carnaval’
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Special presentation by guest presenter
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Public student/faculty performance -- at Beco das Garrrafas
Faculty - Brazil
Instructional Schedule & Venue
DAILY INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEDULE
Our instructional schedule provides approximately 25 hours of instruction, as follows:
Monday - Thursday: 2:00pm - 7:00pm @ Vila Musicale
Friday: 3:30pm - 6:30pm - Rehearsal @ Beco das Garrafas
7:30 pm - 10:30pm - Faculty & Student Performances @ Beco das Garrafas
INSTRUCTIONAL VENUE
We’re so excited to be returning to Studio Floresta! Its new owners have renovated the venue beautifully, renaming it EstúdioVilaMusical.
Located in Santa Teresa, we will be travellng to and from Vila Musical as a group via licensed, insured air-conditioned minibus. In addition to state-of-the-art studios and equipment, Vila Musical boasts a lovely bistro / bar for our exclusive use.
Rio Itinerary
Our instructional schedule (2:00pm -7:00pm) allows ample time to explore Rio de Janeiro’s cultural sites and partake in Rio’s cuisine and nightlife! We've planned the itinerary below in collaboration with Tour Guide Luiz Henrique Schulze, who was with SMJ in Rio in 2016.
NOTE: Itinerary below is subject to change based on weather & other unforeseen factors.
LUIZ HENRIQUE SCHULZE - started his new career in tourism after an early retirement from management positions at IBM in Brazil, USA and France. In addition to his passion for history, the arts, and of course Brazil, he brings a unique multi-cultural perspective. Luiz graduated high school in Virginia Beach where he was an exchange student.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 27: Evening Dinner @ Garota da Ipanema (restaurant where Tom Jobim penned the song of the same name)
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 28:
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Guided 'hop-on-hop-off tour of Rio's Downtown (historic center), led by Luiz
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Lunch at a must-go-to restaurant in the historic center of Rio, with Chorinho band
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Guided visit to Sugarloaf
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Early Optional Group Dinner
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Attend Sambódromo - rehearsal of Samba Schools for Carnaval
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MONDAY - THURSDAY MORNINGS , Jan, 29 - Feb, 2 (day TBD based on weather)
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Guided visit to Corcovado
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Guided Jeep Tour into Tijuca Rain Forest (located at the edge of Rio)
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The Carnival Experience with
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Rio Museum Tour
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NOTE: For non-musician participants, additional touring options customized to your interests can be booked for an additional charge, small group or private (e.g., tour of Santa Teresa, boat ride around Rio, photography tours, etc.)
OPTIONAL GROUP DINNERS
In addition to our Welcome Dinner on Saturday evening, we're planning several optional group dinners. For example:
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Churrascaria Palace (Brazilian BB!)
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Shirley Restaurant
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Aprazivel
EXCURSIONS TO MUSIC VENUES
SMJ has booked night-time transport to visit music venues. Selction of venues and specific evenings will be finalized closer to time of our trip. Possibilities include Alcione, Casa do Choro, and others.
Lodging
To provide options at different price points, we are recommending two hotels. The rates below are as of October 18, and are FULLY REFUNDABLE.
We’ve been tracking availability of rooms in these hotels, and rooms are going fast. We highly recommend that you reserve asap. When looking into hotels, keep in mind that rates for single occupancy are slightly less than double occupancy.
LEME WINDSOR HOTEL -4-Star Hotel (click for info)
Located on the northern side of Copacabana beach, Leme Beach is much quieter than Copacabana since this is mainly a residential area. Additionally, the hotel is steps away from a wide variety of restaurants, a supermarket, and more.
Price Range (October 18): approximately $135 (standard) - $185 (ocean view) per nite.
ATLANTIS COPACABANA -3-Star Hotel (click for info)
SMJ has booked at Atlantis Copacabana in the past. It is located approximately 3 blocks
from Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. The hotel has an ocean-view terrace and
a small rooftop pool.
Price Range (on September 22): approximately $84 - $115 per nite.
Program Costs & Policies
Program 'package" for Instrumental & Vocal participants includes:
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25 hours of instruction
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Admission to Faculty Concert & Student Performance at Beco das Garrafas
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Admission & professional tour guide to cultural sites/events:
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Corcovado
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Sugarloaf
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Jeep Trip into Tijuca Rain Forest
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The Carnival Experience (Carnaval 'behind-the-scenes,' from costumes to participation in Batucada)
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Sambódromo (Rehearsal of the Samba Schools)
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Two hop-off-hop on tours of Rio with tour guide (private, licensed mini-bus)
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Transport via private, licensed, air-conditioned mini-bus to & from Vila Musical
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5 daytime transports to & from cultural sites/events
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4 evening/night transports to & from events and/or musical venue
'Program 'package" for non-participants (i.e., Brazilian Music Enthusiasts, travelling partners)
Program for non-participants includes all of the above, with the exception of 25 hours of instruction. Non-participants are welcome to attend presentations at our instructional venue and to observe classes! You might even want to join us for a Batucada (Carnaval percussion) session!
COST OF PARTICIPANT PACKAGE
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Instrumentalists and Vocalists: $2245
COST OF NON-PARTICIPANT PACKAGE: $895
A 50% deposit is required.
Installment plan can typically be arranged.
NOTE: Airfare, hotel fees and costs of meals are not covered by the above.
DISCOUNTS
Discounts are available for working musicians and educators in financial need. Please contact SMJ should you wish to apply for discount.
SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL RATES
Please contact SMJ for info about international rates.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to the small size of the program (approximately 10-20 participants), refunds will not be possible should you need to cancel. We therefore highly recommend that attendees purchase trip insurance in the event of an emergency.
COVID POLICIES
By completion of registration form, registrants agree to follow Samba Meets Jazz Workshops Covid protocols, and those of our instructional venue Vila Musical. At this point in time masking and testing are not required. Vaccinations are not required.
Trip Extension to Paraty!
Samba Meets Jazz is planning an optional 3-night trip extension to Paraty, with a morning departure from Rio via licensed, insured mini- bus (opproximately 3.5 hours from Rio).
It's no wonder that Paraty has become one of Brazil's beloved gems. A cultural and historical hub, this UNESCO small city is known for its historical center -- an expansive car-free zone where much of the architecture dates aback 250 years.
Its cobblestone streets are traversable by foot and bike -- but horses and carts are used frequently through the city.
In addtion to its rich architecture, the historic center is known for its museums and art stores (indigenous handicrafts to contempoary art). And there's music everywhere!
While Paraty offers magnificant beaches, it's also a short boat ride away from exquisite tropical islands. Our visit to this magical place won't be complete without a boat trip to one of them for a fresh-caught fish lunch and a swim. Additionally, for those who wish, there are many options for tours of the rainforest, waterfalls and famed cachaca factories which have also made Paraty famous.
HOTELS
The hotels below are either within or at the edge of the historic centre:
In historic centre, from $177 U.S. for single; $200 double (includes breakfast)
Fully Refundable
2. Pousada Porto Imperial - From $180 U.S. for single or double (includes breakfast)
Fully Refundable
3. Pousada Sandi - From $170 U.S. for single or double (includes breakfast)
Fully Refundable
4. Pousada Literaria - From $415 U.S. (includes breakfast)
NON-REFUNDABLE
5. Pousada do Principe - rom $130 U.S. single or double (includes breakfast)
Fully Refundable