Brazilian choro began evolving in the mid-19th century, combining elements of the musical traditions of Indigenous, African, and Western-European people living in Rio de Janeiro. By the early 20th century, choro had become a nationalistic movement, a uniquely Brazilian art form that grew from a common-peoples manner of playing European music, to a genre with its own distinct style. Full of rhythmic energy, melodic beauty, and a longing nostalgia called saudade, choro has an infectious charm that has gained popularity in many areas of the United States. Welcome to the Choro Northwest community!
This year’s theme will be The Piano Project, featuring choros written by pianists who influenced the development of choro music. You can find details about our workshop in the menu below.
Experience Choro Northwest
Artistic Director
After fourteen years of golden-hearted, creative, ambitious, and excellent artistic direction, Dudu Maia has decided to pass the baton of Artistic Director to –pandeiro roll please– our extraordinary guitar faculty member Douglas Lora! Here is a note from Douglas, “It is a great honor to accept the position of Artistic Director at Centrum’s Choro Northwest in 2025. Keeping the level of excellence and dedication established by Dudu Maia for so many years, we’ll continue to work hard as a faculty to expand the quality and the reach of our workshop, providing a wonderful musical experience for all participants.”
Douglas Lora
Three-time Grammy nominee guitarist and composer Douglas Lora moves with versatility through the worlds of Classical and Popular Music, and has established himself as one of the most prominent artists of his generation.
With his wide musical repertoire, Douglas has collaborated with renowned artists such as YoYo Ma, Paquito d’Rivera, Assad Brothers, Anat Cohen, Marco Pereira, Jovino Santos Neto, Ney Rosauro, Marina Piccinini, Paulo Bellinati, among others.
As a member of the award-winning Brasil Guitar Duo, Trio Brasileiro and Caraivana, Douglas has performed extensively at the most important theaters and concert halls in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Douglas Lora is the newest member of the award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
Faculty
Choro Faculty
Anat Cohen
Clarinet & Saxophone
Ever charismatic, prolific and inspired, Grammy-nominated clarinetist-saxophonist Anat Cohen has won hearts and minds the world over with her expressive virtuosity and delightful stage presence. The New York Times writes, “Ms. Cohen on the clarinet was a revelation. Using the clarinet’s upper register, she could evoke infectious joy.…
Alexandre Lora
Percussion/Pandeiro
Alexandre Lora moves easily within different styles of Brazilian popular music, performing as a drummer and percussionist. He has been on the faculty of Centrum’s Choro Workshop since 2012. He has performed extensively in Europe including Amsterdam, Rotterdam and a tour of 33 cities in Spain. With Trio Brasileiro he has performed in major US cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Miami and Portland.…
Dudu Maia
Bandolim
Dudu Maia brings a lifetime of research and study of Brazil’s greatest musical traditions to his work. A virtuoso of the bandolim (a Portuguese version of the mandolin), Dudu served for five years as the bandolim professor of Brazil’s most respected Choro school, the Escola Brasileira de Choro Raphael Rabello in Brasília. He is known for his soulful style, unique touch and his mastery of the 10-stringed bandolim, which has two more strings than the standard bandolim, expanding its musical range and harmonic possibilities.…
Jovino Santos Neto
Piano
Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto is a master pianist, flutist, composer, arranger, conductor and educator from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After 15 years as a member of the legendary Hermeto Pascoal Group, he moved to Seattle in 1993. Since then, Jovino has established himself as a charismatic performer, whether playing solo piano, leading his Trio, his award-winning Quinteto, or in guest appearances with ensembles and orchestras worldwide.…
Daniela Spielmann
Saxophone & Flute
Daniela Spielmann has been part of the Brazilian Choro scene since 1998 as a saxophonist, flutist, composer and arranger. Her music is current and at the same time respectful of the great Brazilian composers of the past. Her first CD as a member of the Choro ensemble Rabo de Lagartixa (Gecko´s Tail) was given a critics’ award for the best instrumental CD of the year and in 2002 her first solo album, Brazilian Breath, was nominated for a Latin Grammy.…
Workshop
Established in 2010, Centrum’s Choro Northwest workshop is one of only two of its kind in North America and the longest running workshop. Along with our Artistic Director, guitarist Douglas Lora, our faculty members Dudu Maia (bandolim), Anat Cohen (clarinet), Daniela Spielmann (sax and flute), Jovino Santos Neto (piano), and Alexandre Lora (percussion), are all Grammy or Latin Grammy nominees and masters of other veins of music such as jazz, classical, and composition.
The five-day workshop schedule features group sessions with special topics, small ensemble rehearsals with faculty coaching (back by popular demand but with no required performance), masterclasses per instrument, the fabulous faculty concert, and a second concert featuring both the faculty and our all-participant bandaõ big band! The bandaõ was a big success last year and we learned that we don’t need even half the rehearsal time we had scheduled for it. So this year, we’ll have some time slots for small groups as well.
A list of choro tunes to learn, with sheet music and recordings, will be sent out soon after you register for the workshop.
You need to be over 18 years old to attend this workshop.
Tuition
Tuition: $650
Attending our workshop includes all classes and concerts held at Fort Worden in Port Townsend WA. There is a $325 non-refundable deposit to register; final payment is due March 3, 2025.
Optional Room and Meals:
We provide shared apartment housing at the workshop for $490. All accommodations have private rooms, with a full kitchen and bathrooms (approximately 1 and 1/2 bathrooms per 3 bedrooms).
Add a breakfast/lunch/dinner meal plan for an additional $335.
FAQ
What is Choro music?
Pronounced sho-ro (with a slightly rolled r), Brazilian choro originated in Rio de Janeiro from a combination of Afro-Brazilian and Portuguese late-Baroque influences. Evolving from the late 19th century for decades, choro reached a height of popularity by the mid-20th century. Composer/performers such as Ernesto Nazareth, Jacob do Bandolim, and Pixinguinha were prominent influencers in its development and growth as a unique popular music of Brazil. The word choro in Portuguese means “cry” or “lament,” which seems contrary to the mood of so many of the playful, fast-paced choros. In the slow tempo choros however, one hears the element of saudade, or nostalgic longing.
What does Choro sound like?
Here are some YouTube links featuring our faculty playing typical Choro tunes:
Meals
Meals are served at Fort Worden Commons. The first meal is dinner on April 22; the last meal is breakfast on April 27.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Full payment is due by March 3, 2025. If your full payment is not made by March 3, 2025, your registration will be canceled; $325 of your deposit is nonrefundable.
Newcomers
Newcomers
Classical, jazz and music-reading folk musicians will feel comfortable in this workshop and will enjoy expanding their skills through this genre. You need to be proficient on your instrument, i.e. comfortable with the mechanics of playing. We always have a range of people with different backgrounds and abilities, but we try to balance the ensembles to be supportive of everyone.
The standard choro instruments are usually mandolin, clarinet, flute, sax, cavaquinho, guitar, piano, and pandeiro (hand percussion rather than drum set) Other string players such as violinists, cellists and bass players are welcome as well. Some other instruments are also accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Gwen Franz at 306-385-3102 x109 or gfranz@centrum.org
You need to be 18 years or older to attend this workshop.
2025 Schedule
Subject to change: Centrum’s Choro Northwest schedule
Tuesday, April 22
4:00 - 5:30pm – Participants Check-in at Centrum Office, 223 Battery Way
6:00 - 7:00 – Dinner, Commons cafeteria
7:00 Rodas in Bricks apartments
Wednesday, April 23
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:10 - 10:15 – Orientation, and rhythm warm-up; Wheeler
10:20 - 10:35 – Coffee Break, 204 lounge
11:00 -11:55 – Introductory Instrument classes; 204 building and Wheeler
12:00 - 1:00pm – Lunch
2:00 - 3:15 – Free time
3:30 - 5:00 – Instrument classes; 204 Building, and Wheeler
6:00 – Dinner
8:00 – Rodas
Thursday, April 24
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:10 - 10:15 – Group Session: Rhythm with Alexandre and Jovino, Wheeler
10:20 - 10:35 – Coffee Break, 204 lounge
10:40 -11:55 – Instrument classes, 204 building and Wheeler
12:00 - 1:00pm – Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 – Ensembles
3:15 - 4:15 – Instrument classes
4:30 – 5:15 - Bandão Rehearsal w/ Faculty, 204 Building, room 10
6:00 – Dinner
8:00 – Rodas
Friday, April 25
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:10 - 10:15 – Group Session: Voluntary Ensemble Master Class, Wheeler (With rhythm warm-up)
10:20 - 10:35 – Coffee break
10:40 - 11:55 – Instrument classes
12:00 - 1:00pm – Lunch
1:15 – 2:00 – Bandão Rehearsal w/ Faculty
2:30 – 5:00 - Ensembles (without faculty) and free time
2:30 - 5:00 – Faculty’s Sound Check at Wheeler
6:00 – Dinner
6:45 – Wheeler doors open for participants to get their seats. (Open for public at 7:00)
7:30 – Faculty Concert, Wheeler. Wear your badges!
Evening Rodas
Saturday, April 26
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 – Rhythm warm-up and Jovino’s Lecture, Wheeler
10:05 - 10:35 – Coffee break - CD Sales
10:40 - 11:55 – Instrument classes
12:00 -1:00pm – Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 – Ensembles
3:15 – 4:15 – Instrument Classes
4:30 - 5:15 – Bandão Rehearsal w/ Faculty, USO building.
6:00 – Dinner
7:30 – Faculty and Bandão concert, USO building
Sunday, April 27
9:00-10:30 – Brunch, Group photo, and Roda, cafeteria
11:00 – Checkout: please drop off keys in Centrum office door.
