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Faculté de classe mondiale dans des endroits spectaculaires
Instrumentale - Belgique 2023
Overview
If you're an instrumentalist or vocalist ...
Directed by virtuoso bassist / Grammy Winner NILSON MATTA, our program is open to all levels -- from hobbyiists with experience in playing in an ensemble, to educators and working musicians. Our faculty is comprised of some of Rio's finest musicians. This immersive program combines daily instruction, and cultural adventures, all surrounded by Rio's breathtaking scenery and vibrant energy.
We'll be zeroing in on a myriad of Brazilian rhythms, melodic interpretation, phrasing and articulation, harmonic nuances, inprovisation -- as well as the evolution of Brazilian music.
If you're a music lover seeking to experience Brazil
SMJ's Brazilian Immersion is your invitation to experience the heart of Brazil, its rhythms, flavors and unforgettable spirit. Travel with a small welcoming group led by SMJ's Artistic/Music Director Nilson Matta, and his wife Luisa Matta -- both are dual citizens of Brazil and the U.S. and know Rio like the back of their hand.
From early morning until ntil 2pm, you'll enjoy daily sight-seeing excursions and shared lumches with the whole group. In the afternoons, , you'll continue exploring Rio, while our music participants study at Villa Musicale. And at night, the whole group will come together to feel Rio's pulse through its music, dance and people!
Keep in mind -- if you're feeling inspired, you're welcome to join our joyful, all-level 1-hour percussion sessions at Villa Musical - NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
CARNAVAL TRIP EXTENSION
Get ready to feel the rhythm of Brazil! Join our travel group for an unforgettable adventure to experience the world-famous Carnaval — a dazzling celebration of music, color, and culture. We’ll dance in the streets of Rio de Janeiro alongside samba schools, watch the spectacular parades from prime seats, and soak up the vibrant local energy that takes over the city.
Between festivities, we’ll explore breathtaking beaches, savor authentic Brazilian cuisine, and connect with locals who embody the true alegria (joy) of life. Whether you’re here for the beats, the beauty, or the pure excitement, this trip promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Bloco (block party) w/ Banda de Ipanema
Sombodromo
Aperçu de la semaine
Notre horaire est conçu pour offrir aux participants de nombreuses occasions d'explorer des sites culturels
pendant la journée et pour profiter de la bonne cuisine et de la vie nocturne de Gand.
Le lundi soir (après notre premier jour d'enseignement), nous aurons un dîner facultatif "faire connaissance" pour les participants et les professeurs des programmes de claquettes, de chant et d'instrument. Mercredi soir, nous aurons un jam optionnel dirigé par la faculté.
Nous aurons également une visite gratuite facultative "hors des sentiers battus" à travers Gand (jour/heure à déterminer) par l'un de nos participants qui a a beaucoup travaillé au sein de l'industrie belge du tourisme.
Pour ceux qui voudraient visiter Bruges, Bruxelles ou Anvers (respectivement à 30, 35 et 40 minutes en train), notre séance du jeudi sera le matin, offrant aux participants la possibilité de monter dans un train et d'explorer la nuit.
HORAIRE (sujet à changement)
Lundi : 13h45 - 19h00 (suivi d'un dîner facultatifr)
Mardi : 13h45 - 19h00
Mercredi : 13h45 - 19h00 (Jam nocturne facultative dirigée par la faculté)
Jeudi : 9h30 - 13h30
Vendredi jour : 13h45 - 16h15
Vendredi soir
It's all about the rhythm!
Whether a vocalist or instrumentalist, you'll be learning / playing authentic Brazilian rhythms alongside masters as you explore a wide range of repertoire. As you can see from the video clips below, our faculty plays alongside our students. And It is not uncommon for more than one teacher to be working with an ensemble or vocal class -- they work as a team to maximize learning!
To view the videos, click on the music notes (bottom right) and then in the middle of the clip.
Liz Rosa & Alfredo Cardim with vocalists
SMJ Music/Artistic Director (bass) & Andre Tandeta (drums) working with an ensemble
1:1 coaching is key
All levels
End of Week Performance
Liz Rosa (teacher) with vocal students & student ensemble
RIO FACULTY 2027
ARTISTIC/MUSIC DIRECTOR
NILSON MATTA
A virtuoso bassist, multi-Grammy nominee & Grammy winner (w/Joe Henderson, Yo Yo Ma, Nancy Wilson) Matta has been a driving force in the evolution of Brazilian Jazz in the U.S. since 1985. He has played alongside renowned Brazilian & U.S. luminaries such as João Bosco, Hermeto Pascoal, Chico Buarque, João Gilberto, Luis Bonfa, Don Pullen, Kenny Barron, Herby Mann, more. Co-founder of Trio da Paz, Matta is recognized for his work as bandleader (Brazilian Voyage), composer, arranger, producer.
LULA GALVAO
Lula Galvao has been described as “Brazil’s most authentic, varied and inspired guitarist, with an unmatched musical style and range. His iinter- pretations of classic and Brazilian music are elegant and creative, in a sophisticated way they are simple but still unique." Lula, who has collabor- ated with Rosa Passos throughout his career, has shared stages across the world from Hollywood Bowl to JFK Center for the Performing Arts, with luminaries from Ivan Lins, Paquito D’Rivera, Chico Buarque, Jacques Morelenbaum, to Kenny Rankin.
MARCOS NIMRICHTER
A two-time Latin Grammy winner and recipient of five Grammy nomination (American and Latin), Brazilian-born pianist and accordionist Marcos Nimrichter has accompanied a who’s who of artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Chico Buarque, and Paulo Moura, among numerous others. In 2021, he won the Jacob do Bandolim Award at the Rio Choco Competition with his composition “Maionese na Roda.” As a soloist, Marcos has performed with some of Brazil’s most prominent orchestras, including the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, the Petrobras Symphony Orchestra, and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. He has released seven albums under his own name . Marcos is a member of the bands Ouro Negro and Novo Quinteto—groups formed to carry on the legacies of composers Moacir Santos and Radamés Gnattali, respectively. In the field of education, he was a professor at the UFRJ School of Music and the Villa-Lobos School of Music in Rio de Janeiro, and has served as a visiting professor at numerous universities.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Marcio began playing drums at age of 13. In February 1981, he joined Hermeto Pascoal’s renowned ensemble as drummer and percussionist, evolving his musical ideas and broadening his horizons. He remains a member of that group, or “school” as the group is thought of, participating in their mission of bringing the universal music of Brazil to other countries, performing in important festivals, theaters and events around the world, winning acclaim for their recordings and performances.
Contemporaneously with his work with Hermeto Pascoal, Marcio Bahia has performed, recorded and toured, accompanying numerous luminaries of Brazilian music, including Maria Bethania, Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal, Carlos Lyra, Leila Pinheiro, Leny Andrade, Jovino dos Santos, and Hamilton de Holanda Quintet.
MARCIO VILLE BAHIA
... MORE TBA!
IMPORTANT .... VISAS ARE REQUIRED FOR U.S. CITIZENS!
WORKSHOP WEEK ITINERARY
January 30 - February 5, 2027
Our group wil include instrumentalists, vocalists as well as music enthusiasts who seek to be immersed in Brazilian music and cultre. Mornings will be devoted to touring and sightseeing. After our group lunches, instrumentalists and vocalists will attend a 5-hour daily workshop in Santa Tereesa @ Villa Musical (2:00pm - 7:00pm)
Non-musician participants will have additional sightseeing options during the afternoon.
We've planned the itinerary below in collaboration with licensed, English-speaking tour guide Luiz Henrique Schulze (below). who's worked with SMJ for over a decade.
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.
SATURDAY (January 30)
You'll be met inside the airport by car service. After settling into your hotel, you'll have the option to join the group at JOURNEY THROUGH BRAZIL - ROXY Dinner & Performance. Akin to a Broadway show, it's a combination of Brazilian history and culture with amazing performances by Brazilian dancers and vocalists.
SUNDAY - WEDNESDAY (January 31 - February 3)
Morning sightseeing inlcludes Rio highlights for first-time participants, with alternative outings for returning participants who have explored the city with us before.
Returning participants are also offered the option of participating in customized morning music sessions that complement our afternoon workshops. Spots for the latter are limited, if interested, please inquire asap.
Morning Sightseeing for First-Time Participasnts
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Destinations will include: Departure time is typically 900 am
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Guided visit to Sugarloaf
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Guided visit to Corcovado
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The Carnaval Experience
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Rio downtown guided tour, including little Africa
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Morning Sightseeing for Returning Participants
Sightseeing options for returning participants will be customized to reflect their interests. Options include guided museum visits, hiking at Two Brothers,a visit to the Botanic Garden -- and much more! A menu of options will be published on Otober 4th.
THURSDAY (Februrary 4)
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Morning - free time to shopm, relax at pool or beach
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Lunch - on your own
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3:30 - 6:30pm - Rehearsal @ public performance venue
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6:30 - 7:30 pm- Dinner
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7:30 - 10:30pm - Faculty & Student Performances @ music ventue TBA
Lunches - we'll be stopping for lunch as a group
Afternoons
Vocalists/Instrumentalists @ Villa Musical: 2pm - 7pm
Non-musicians - individual and small group touring/events with Luiz or Free Time
Optional Group Dinners
In addition to our Welcome Dinner on Saturday evening, we're planning several optional group dinners at fantastic restaurants specializing in Brazilian
cuisine (i.e., Brazilian BBQ, fish, etc.)
Nightime in Rio!
SMJ books night-time transport to visit music venues. Selction of venues and specific evenings will be finalized closer to time of our trip. Possibilities include Roxy (Theatre & Dinner) Blue Note Rio, Casa do Choro, Rio Scenarium., more.
Percussion Session
@ Carnval Experience
Dinner @ Apravizel
overlooking Rio!
Corcovado
Carnaval Weekend Trip Extension
February 5-8, 2027
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Our Carnaval experience begins with an unhurried morning designed for relaxation and personal exploration. Enjoy time at the beach or hotel pool, browse the shops at nearby Rio Sul (just moments from the hotel) and grab a bite before we embark to on a boat ride to take a us to an island across Guanabara Bay to Ilha da Gigoia —far removed from the crowds.
Accompanied by expert local guide Luiz, you’ll gain insights into historic landmarks, architecture, and cultural life that line the bay. Weather permitting, guests can opt for a refreshing swim in the bay.
We return to the hotel in time to rest and refresh before heading out for dinner at a restaurant to be announced. Bottom of Form
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6
We are eagerly awaiting publication of the streets where we can view the world-renowned "blocos" street parties, to enable us to create our itinerary .
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Late morning, we depart the Windsor Leme Hotel by private transport for a carefully timed visit to the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro.
Many visitors to Jardim Botânico say this experience was one of the most unexpected highlights of their time in Rio. As you walk beneath the famous rows of towering palm trees framed by Rio’s dramatic mountains, you’ll see exotic orchids, lush tropical foliage, giant lilies on still ponds. But this is more than your typical city “garden” – it’s alive. You’ll hear birdsong everywhere, see colorful tropical birds as they flit overhead— from small songbirds to striking larger species that feel straight out of a nature documentary. And likely, you’ll spot small monkeys moving through the treetops. They’re wild, free, and at home — a reminder that this garden is part of Rio’s natural landscape, not a fenced-off zoo.
From there, we continue to a relaxed, hefty late lunch (restaurant tbd) , returning to the hotel by 5:00 PM to allow ample time to rest, prepare for Sombódromo.
At 8:00 PM, private transport escorts us to the Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí, where we’ve reserved the only numbered frisa (open-box) seats in the stadium.
Refreshments (i.e., sandwiches, Brazilian bites) and drinks are available for purchase inside the Sambódromo to keep you comfortable as the night unfolds.
Private, pre-booked shuttle transportation will be available at the end of each samba school’s performance, allowing you to return to the hotel whenever you wish.
Où rester
Les participants sont responsables de leur voyage, de leur hébergement et de leurs repas. Cependant, SMJ étudie la possibilité d'un tarif de groupe dans plusieurs hôtels/B&B et publiera des mises à jour . Si vous êtes intéressé par un tarif groupe,s'il vous plaît laissez-nous savoir.
Notre atelier vocal aura lieu àPaulushuis.be. Si vous souhaitez resterproche du lieu de l'atelier, son adresse est :
Patijntjestraat 27
Patijntjestraat 27, 9000 Gand, Belgique
QUARTIERS À GAND
Le site Web breakbackpacker.com fournit des descriptions de ce qu'il considère commeVous trouverez ci-dessous une description de chaque quartier et une liste de choses à faire. faites-y. Nous avonsne pas a inclus ses recommandations d'hôtels pour chaque zone.
#1 PATERSCHOL – Où loger pour la première fois
PRICING & POLICIES 2027
RIO IMMERSION WEEK
(JAN. 30 - FEB. 5)
VOCAL & INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAMS include:
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transport from airport to your hotel or Air BnB
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25 hours of instruction
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transport to & from Vila Musical music studio via private, licensed/insured, air-conditioned mini-bus
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Admission to Faculty Concert & Student Performances at Beco das Garrafas
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Admission to cultural sites / events with licensed, English-speaking tour guide via private, licensed/insured air-conditioned mini-bus
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Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer)
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Sugarloaf (includes cablecar)
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The Carnival Experience (experience Carnaval 'behind-the-scenes,' including Samba School rehearsal, percussion and dance sessions, costume try-ons!
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Sambódromo (Rehearsal of the Samba Schools)
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Hop-on-hop-off tours of Downtown Rio including Little Africa with licensed, English-speaking tour guide in private, licensed mini-bus
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5 daytime transports to & from cultural sites/events
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4 evening/night transports to & from events/music night spots
MUSIC LOVER / CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM includes:
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Optional participation in Group Percussion Sessions (NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED)
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Admission to Faculty Concert & Student Performances at Beco das Garrafas
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Admission to cultural sites / events with licensed, English-speaking tour guide to cultural sites/events:
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Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer)
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Sugarloaf (includes cable car)
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The Carnival Experience (experience Carnaval 'behind-the-scenes,' including Samba School rehearsal, percussion and dance sessions, costume try-ons!
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Sambódromo (Rehearsal of the Samba Schools)
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Guided tour of Santa Teresa neighborhood
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Optional Cooking Class
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Museums (to be selected by participants)
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Hop-on-hop-off tours of Downtown Rio / Little Africa with licensed, English-speaking tour guide in private, licensed mini-bus
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5 daytime transports to & from cultural sites/events
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4 evening/night transports to & from events/music night spots
NOT INCLUDED: airfare, lodging, meals, trip insurance
COST: RIO IMMERSION WEEK
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Instrumental/Vocal Package: $2735
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Guests of instrumental or vocal participant: $1035
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Cultural / Music Lover (non-musician) Package: $1395
DISCOUNTS available for Educators and Working Musicians
SPECIAL RATES available for international participants
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS, based on financial need and merit and availability.
CARNAVAL WEEKEND
(FEBRUARY 5-8)
CARNAVAL WEEKEND PACKAGE includes:
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Sambadrome frisa box tickets (numbered)
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Transfer to and from Sambadromo
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5-hour private chartered boat ride around to Ilha Giota
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Admission to Roxy (show & dinner)
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Guided visits to Carnaval street parties (blocos)
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Guided trip & admission to Jardim Botanica
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Curated guided shopping trips (optional)
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Curated dining and visits to music venues
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Private van service or Uber (depending on size of group \
COST: CARNAVAL WEEKEND
We are awaiting pricing on Sambodrome tickets.
In the meanime, please contact us.
Cancellation & Covid Policies
CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to the small size of the program (approximately 8-15 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 also not required.