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living room practice

Brazilian percussion

I began playing orchestral percussion in 1971 and Brazilian percussion in 1992. Since 2003, my primary focus has been the pandeiro.

I studied the pandeiro privately with Carlinhos Panderio de Ouro and Luiz Guello, and was part of a two-year private study grant with Carlinhos through the Durfee Foundation.

My other principal instruments are the berimbau, zabumba, and all of the percussion of Pagode and the Samba bateria.

Other teachers over the years have included Jorge Alabe, Boca Rum, Carlos Brito (Timbalada), Ronaldo Silva (son of Robertinho Silva and one of Milton Nascimento's percussionists), Lula da Silva (Capoeira), and Jorge Martins (Zabumba).

Over the years I have taught percussion individually and in groups, played for countless dance classes, and freelanced at gigs throughout the Los Angeles area.

I currently reside in Ventura, California.

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The instruments

I am a big fan of handmade instruments and try to use them whenever possible. My berimbau (far left) and shekere (second from left) were both constructed by me. My pandeiro (middle) was built by the luthier Bira of Rio de Janeiro. The caxixis (second from right) were constructed by my pandeiro mestre Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro. My zabumba (far right) was constructed by Bola in San Jose, California.