VERA FIGUEIREDO | DRUM and THEORY
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She is a renowned artist from Brazilian Instrumental music scene. Drummer, composer, teacher and cultural producer, she founded the IBVF Brasil, which has contributed to the music education for thirty years. The music school is located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and attend to students from all over the country and other countries. She is courses supervisor and teacher at the IBVF Brasil.

She paved the way for producing clinics in Brazil with Brazilian artists and from another countries. In 1993, she produced the first event of the agency IBVF Produções, a drum clinic with Billy Cobham, who was a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and had recorded with Miles Davis. Since then, the production of clinics, master classes and concerts became part of the IBVF Produções calendar.

In 1996, the IBVF Produções organized the first edition of Batuka! Brasil. Today, it figures among the greatest drum and percussion festivals in the world; with fifteen editions that took place in São Paulo city. Besides being the creator of the festival, Vera is also the Batuka! Brasil curator and artistic producer.

Besides working as hired musician, curator and participating in several events as a guest, she also has a significant solo career. She released three solo albums, contributing to them as composer and music producer as well: Vera Figueiredo & Convidados, From Brasil and Vera Cruz Island. Based on her last album, the play-along book Vera Cruz Island - Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset was released by Hudson Music. The book has worldwide distribution and is also available on e-book format.

A DVD with her instructional videos Ritmos Afro -Brasileiroa (Afro-Brazilian Rhythms) e Influência Afro-Cubana (Afro-Cuban Influence) was released with English subtitles.

She has dedicated herself to spread her knowledge about Brazilian rhythms, performing classes, master classes and clinics in Brazil and other countries. Currently, she has performed the Brasileira concert featuring the Vera Figueiredo Trio. Brasileira is also the title of the album she's working on.

Vera Figueiredo has played in some of the greatest national and international drum and percussion festivals, always taking the power of Brazilian rhythms to their stages. Brazilian Rhythms are the foundation of her solo career. Her expertise about Brazilian Rhythms is what attracts foreign students and music admirers. It’s also because of it she was invited to perform in several countries such as Australia, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden, Chile, United States, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Luxembourg, Germany and Spain.

FERNANDO AMARO | DRUM and THEORY

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His first contact with drums happened very early. About the age of three he learned the rudiments, firstly guided by Paullo Amaro. It didn't take him too long to start playing along with rock records such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Emerson, Lake & Palmer among others. He started studying with Vera Figueiredo at the age of six. She was his drum teacher for ten years at the IBVF Brasil school, where he became professional and currently is drum and theory teacher.

Besides playing drums - as an educated drummer with a defined method - he also studied Brazilian rhythms and jazz. Deciding to have a music career, he went to the FASM college and studied with the drummer Edu Ribeiro among other teachers. Thus, he enhanced his musical knowledge and gradually conquered his place in the music scene.

In 2010, Vicente Salus interviewed him for the Brazilian edition of the American Modern Drummer magazine. The article title was “New Blood” and approached his trajectory as drummer, as well as the goals he had defined, at that time.

He has recorded with renowned artists of the Brazilian Instrumental Music scene. Some of the albums he recorded: “Senda” by Michel Leme; “In Truth” by Maycon Mesquita; “Em Boa Companhia” and “A Confraria do Som” by Fábio Peron; “Core” by Caetano Ribeiro (Blaxtream records); “Esmê” by André Mehmari, Fábio Peron and Gim Correa; “Warzone” by Vinicius Chagas; “Caio Afiune” by Caio Afiune, recorded in Boston, Ma; “Big Band” by Rubem Farias; “Cabreúva Session” by Maycon Mesquita; and “Combustão” and “Live at NossaCasa” by Vinicius Chagas.

Besides the mentioned recordings, he has played with another outstanding Brazilian Instrumental Music artists such as Arismar do Espírito Santo, Léa Freire, Laércio de Freitas, Chico Wilcox, Thiago do Espírito Santo, Silvia Góes, Filó Machado and Bocato.

Currently, he is studying to get his popular music postgraduate degree, focusing on scientific research and cultural production. Besides playing several gigs, he has performed with his own band, the Fernando Amaro Quartet.

ANDRÉ DEA | DRUM

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Drummer of the Supercombo, which is one of the bands to complete the line-up of the Supernova Stage, at Rock in Rio festival 2022.

, he started studying drums in 2000. Since then, he played in several bands from his city, until became member of Sugar Kane band, in 2007. With Sugar Kane members, he moved out to São Paulo city and recorded three albums, two EPs and a live DVD.

He played with Vespas Mandarinas band from 2011 to 2016. With this band, he recorded an EP, a single and the “Animal Nacional” album, which was released by Deck Disc record label and nominee for Latin Grammy “Best Brazilian album”.

The Brazilian edition of the American Modern Drummer - which is the most widely read magazine dedicated to drummers and percussionists - interviewed him twice.

Besides being the Supercombo band drummer, he works on the projects Violeta Soda and Sugar Kane. He’s one of the Estúdio Costella partners, which is located in São Paulo city. It's a recording and rehearsal studio.

Currently, André Dea is drum teacher at IBVF Brasil.

IGOR WILLCOX | DRUM

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Leading the Igor Willcox Quartet, the drummer and composer has reinforced the power of his music since the beginning of his career. His musical heritage comes from his father, Paulo César Willcox, a respected conductor, arranger, pianist and vibraphonist, and from his mother, the talented singer Sonia Willcox.

He has played and recorded with important artists from jazz and Brazilian music scene, and collaborating with artists such as Bocato, Tony Lakatos, Rufus Reid, Bobby Militelo, Airto Moreira, Frank Colon (Weather Report), Celso Pixinga, among others.

Winner of Batuka! Brasil - National Drummer Competition (1998) musicality category, he also performed as a guest artist in the 1999 and 2003 editions of the festival. He has held workshops in Germany, at the Frankfurt University of Music and the Hamburg University of Music, among other venues.

A significant milestone in his career was the release of the self-titled album with the trio New Samba Jazz in 2006, on the Swiss label Altrisuoni Records. This album received excellent reviews in Brazil and other countries, and it was considered as one of the label's best sellers for 4 years. In 2017, Igor Willcox released #1, his first solo album and play-along, which received critical acclaim, with excellent reviews on the main and most popular jazz websites in Brazil and around the world, including the prestigious All About Jazz. The album also led the drummer to be included in the list of the best instrumentalists of 2017 by the website "Melhores da Música Brasileira", alongside big names such as Hermeto Pascoal and João Donato, highlighting Igor Willcox's talent and prominence in the music scene.

DANIEL BAEDER | DRUM

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He is an internationally recognized drummer, composer and arranger who has accomplished a high number of music achievements.

His artistically-infused home city of São Paulo, Brazil made an impact on him at a young age, and by four years old, he began his journey into the world of music through a variety of instruments. His passion allows him to explore a variety of musical genres, while always leaving his own imprint of style in each of his pieces.

Daniel has studied with some worldwide renowned musicians. His work has earned him recognition from some of the most-respected industry publications such as Modern Drummer, Cover Batera, Bateria Total among others.

In 2006, the culmination of his hard work and talent earned him a distribution deal with Mar Creation for USA, Europe and Japan.

Daniel has recorded many independent albums as a producer and arranger, released a solo CD entitled 'Abranda Raiva/Daniel Baeder' in 2006, performed in some venues. His abilities have given him the opportunity to join Cirque du Soleil touring all over the world as a drummer and bandleader for 8 years. Daniel is about to release two solo albums; one in Brazilian instrumental music, and other in electronic style.

Currently, Daniel Baeder is one of the IBVF Brasil drum teacher (online classes).

PAULO PIXU | PERCUSSION

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Percussionist, drummer, and composer who has worked in bands, orchestras, dance groups, theater groups, and has recorded albums, videos, and television programs.

As a musician, he has played with several artists, including Elba Ramalho, Fernanda Porto, Rodrigo Sater, Mirian Mirah, Lula Barbosa, Yasir Chediak, Dinho Nascimento, Zerró Santos, Vera Figueiredo, and Maestro Chu Viana, among others. In theater, he has worked with José Celso Martinez Correia, Cristiane Torloni, and Beatriz Azevedo.

As a music producer, he has recorded albums by the bands Mafuá (of which he was one of the founders) and Baião de 4, the album 23 by Jorge Benjor; Ser-Um-Mano by Dinho Nascimento; Cultura de Resistência by the Treme Terra project. Participated of the album by Duo Afro 2 as composer and percussionist. With Mafuá, he toured Switzerland, performed at the Montreux Festival, and in the capital Geneva and Lisbon, Portugal. With Montserrat, singer from the Canary Islands, he toured Japan, the United States, and the North, Northeast, South, and Southeast regions of Brazil. Creator and musician of the children's shows “Brinquedos de Palavras”, Zig & Zag Show, Banda da Velha Fubica, and AGUI, alongside Lili Flor.

As an art educator, he teaches workshops on music and reading mediation.

Currently, he is a percussion teacher at IBVF Brasil, in São Paulo, Brazil, and works alongside Lili Flor as a musician-actor harmonizing music and texts, working with songs and sung games.

MARCOS ROMERA | PIANO

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He studied Composition and Conducting at Faculdade Santa Marcelina; Harmony and Improvisation with maestro Wilson Curia; and Orchestration and Arrangements with Cláudio Leal. 

On the international circuit, he performed at NAMM, the International Fair of Music and Technology, in Los Angeles, performing with the Brazilian drummer Vera Figueiredo. In Switzerland, he participated in the Montreux Jazz Festival, playing with Daniel Taubkin. He was a semifinalist of the VISA Eldorado Instrumental Music Award, arranger, and organizer of the VISA Eldorado Award. He wrote arrangements for the Jazz Symphony Orchestra at the grand finale of the Eldorado Award's vocal edition.

Among the artists he has accompanied are Nana Caymmi, Sivuca, Emílio Santiago, Elba Ramalho, Maria Rita, Maria Gadú, Sandra de Sá, Fabio Junior, and the Panamanian-American drummer Billy Cobham, among others.

He released the solo album “DaGaroa” (Tratore/Independent) and the book “Crônicas da Garoa* (Chiado Publishing). He composed the soundtrack for the animated short film “O Espantalho”, which won the renowned Animamundi animation festival in 1998. He has produced countless soundtracks and jingles for advertising and continues to work in this field. He worked as a pianist on Manchete, Gazeta, CNT, and Rede Globo television channels, where he accompanied artists such as Jane Duboc, Nana Caymmi, Sivuca, Pery Ribeiro, Hector Costita, Vânia Bastos, Baby Consuelo, Emílio Santiago, and Elba Ramalho, among others. As a guest musician, he participated in numerous performances, including those of singer Maria Rita, saxophonist Derico Sciotti, and guitarist Carlos Roberto “Tomatti,” both from Jô Onze e Meia’s quintet, as well as American drummer Billy Cobham, among others.

Currently, he is a member of the Vera Figueiredo Trio. 

BEATRIZ CRUZ | MUSICAL EDUCATION and DRUM FOR CHILDREN

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Educator graduated from the University of São Paulo (USP), she is also a musician with ongoing training in drums at the Vera Figueiredo Institute (IBVF Brasil). She is a music teacher with solid experience in early childhood education, combining her pedagogical training with practical experience in school environments.

She worked at a bilingual (Portuguese/English) early childhood education school with an active learning approach, developing and coordinating interdisciplinary projects that integrated music, body expression, storytelling, and performances with children. 

Co-founder and drummer of the original band Boca de Leoa, with which she produces and coordinates shows and cultural events. This experience broadened her perspective on diverse educational practices and the power of art as a learning tool. 

Her career combines education, art, and production with a focus on listening, collectivity, and the integral development of children.