The music of Brazil is one of the most important expressions of Brazilian culture. Brazilian Rhythms like Samba and Bossa Nova were eternalized by international artists such as Frank Sinatra, Black Eyed Peas, Amy Winehouse, Stan Getz, and Herbie Hancock among many others.

The Brazilian Music Experience is an opportunity to explore the City of Rio de Janeiro and to interactively learn authentic Brazilian music from some of Rio's top musicians. This will be an unforgettable, weeklong, cultural trip and learning tour with lessons, percussion classes, workshops, and night entertainment highlighting the best of Brazilian music. Included also is an educational city tour, visiting stunning attractions such as Corcovado and Sugar Loaf.

If you love Brazilian music and culture and are a music student, professional musician, or hobbyist, this trip is for you.  Non-musicians, spouses, and friends are welcome to come along!

Our Brazilian partners are percussionist Mila Schiavo, who manages the music school at Cidade das Artes and has toured the world performing with many acclaimed acts, and Guilherme Gonçalves, Conservatory percussion professor and samba expert.

The Brazilian Music Experience

About this trip
From: June 8 to 15  / 2024

10 to 30 People 

The Brazilian Music Experience is an opportunity to explore the City of Rio de Janeiro and to interactively learn authentic Brazilian music from some of Rio's top musicians. This will be an unforgettable, weeklong, cultural trip and learning tour with lessons, percussion classes, workshops, and night entertainment highlighting the best of Brazilian music. Included also is an educational city tour, visiting stunning attractions such as Corcovado, and Sugar Loaf.

Non-musicians, spouses, and friends are welcome to come along!

If you love Brazilian music and culture and are a music student, professional musician, or hobbyist, this trip is for you.  

We recommend that you bring your favorite Brazilian tunes to work on with your private teacher and ensemble. 

Our Brazilian partner is: percussionist Mila Schiavo, who manages the program Música para Crescer (Music to Grow) and has toured the world performing with many acclaimed acts. 

Come to Rio de Janeiro and have fun learning what makes Brazilian Music so enchanting!

Part of the money raised from this trip goes to a Non-Profit organization that helps children from Rio with free music lessons and art activities.

If you need further information please do not hesitate to ask.

The Windsor Excelsior Hotel is a two-minute walk to Copacabana Beach!

Ground Transportation will be in a van with air conditioning.

*Itineraries and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond The Brazilian Music Experience / Morningside Music Tours control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.

City Tour:

• Corcovado 
• Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf)

Tours included for non-musician participants/companions: 

• Museu do Amanha  
• Santa Teresa Tour / @parquedasruinasoficial 
• Guanabara Bay Tour and Ilha Fiscal 
• Little Africa Tour (Pequena Africa/Pedra do Sal) 
• Maracanã Tour (Rio Soccer Stadium) 

Option for Morning Tours (Not included) 

• Boat Trip to Tijuca Island 
• Rio Secret Beaches Tour 
• Jeep Tour in Tijuca Forest 
• Botanic Garden 
• Rio Hang Gliding 
• Paddle Board Rental 
• Surf Classes 

Hotel:

The Windsor Excelsior Hotel is a two-minute walk to Copacabana Beach!

Ground Transportation will be in a van with air conditioning.

*Itineraries and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond The Brazilian Music Experience / Morningside Music Tours control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.

Starting on January 10, 2024, the Brazilian government will resume entry visa requirements for citizens of four countries, including the United States. The other countries are Japan, Australia, and Canada. 

Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy:  

January 6 - 20% deposit due (Full refund if canceled before 3/6) 

March 6 - additional 40% due (60%) - (refund of 40% if canceled before 4/6)

April 6 - final 40% due (100%) - no refund after this point

May 12 - final date to join the trip

If there is a change in the exchange rate (US Dollar), below R$ 4.20, there may be a change in the values.

Percussionist Mila Schiavo believes that when you love a music style you have to experience the culture where the rhythm came from. That’s why she developed “The Brazilian Music Experience”, so that people can learn and listen to the music where it started in Brazil. Mila manages "Musica para Crescer" (Music to Growth) a nonprofit music project that teaches kids and teenagers in Rio de Janeiro, and has toured the world performing with many acclaimed acts. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has a MBA from PUC - Rio de Janeiro. 

Percussionist Guilherme Gonçalves also studied at Berklee College of Music and upon returning to Brazil, performed with some of the top artists and taught at a number of different music schools including the Brazilian Popular Music Conservatory. He also has authored books on samba drumming.

Dan Fox, the owner of Morningside Tours, plays trombone, bass, and percussion and will be along on this fantastic trip to help coordinate and also continue to learn about the vast world of Brazilian music.

Classes - Included for Musicians Participants:

• The June Trip will focus on Music Styles from the Northeast of Brazil like 
  • Forró / Baião / Xote / Xaxado / Maracatu 
  • Players will also get to suggest, rehearse, and perform their favorite bossa nova and samba tunes
• 15 hours of group classes (Monday through Friday / from 2 pm to 5 pm)
• 1 hour of a private class (From 10 am to 1 pm) - The schedule will be released after registration. 

• Instruments Accepted
  Voice,  Bass, Drums, Percussion, Keyboard/Piano, Guitar (electric and acoustic),  Sax (Alto, Tenor & Soprano), Trumpet, Trombone, and flute.
  if you don't see your instrument on this list but want to join, no problem! Just ask.
  

Music Entertainment Venues or Parties Included: 

• www.feiradesaocristovao.org.br/
• Rio Scenarium (@rioscenarium) 
• Fundição Progresso: Rio Maracatu 
• Festa Junina - June Celebration on  Saint Antony Day (June 13) - location to be announced / Traditional Party in Brazil 
• Jam Session - location to be announced

Corcovado 

• http://visit.rio/que_fazer/cristoredentor/

Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf)

• https://www.bondinho.com.br

After getting settled we will have this as a free day to get acclimated, enjoy Ipanema and Copacabana, or see the Tijuca forest. 

Sunday will be a guided Rio city tour including the Lapa steps, Corcovado, and Pão de Açúcar with lunch (drinks not included) 

Option live music in the evening (ticket not included)

Morning private lessons (10:00-1:00)

Afternoon Group Classes (2:00-5:00)

Transfer to hotel: 5:10 

Transfer to show/venue - between 6:30 and 8:00 

Dinner at the venue (not included) 

Transfer to hotel 

• Hotel check-out - 11 am 
• Transfer to airport