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.
Artist 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
-Ensemble coaching with faculty: up to ten participants per ensemble will each be coached by one faculty member. No performance required.
-The bandão! The all-participant big band will rehearse and perform three arrangements of choros. The bandão was a new feature last year and a big hit. We realized that we could cut the rehearsal time in half, providing more time for small ensemble coaching.
-A masterclass for pre-formed groups that would like to play and be coached by faculty while the rest of the participants observe.
-Group sessions with special topics such as rhythm warm-ups.
You need to be over 18 years old to attend this workshop.
Schedule
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 participant (Jamming) housing. Two of the three will be facilitated.
Wednesday, April 23
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 – Workshop orientation with faculty and rhythm warm-up; Wheeler Theater
10:15 – Coffee Break, 204 lounge
10:45 -12:00 –Instrument specific classes; 204 building and Wheeler
12:00 - 1:00pm – Lunch
2:00 - 3:15 – Electives by participants
3:30 - 5:00 – Ensembles 204 Building, and Wheeler
6:00 – Dinner
8:00 – Rodas in participant housing (Two of three will be facilitated)
Thursday, April 24
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 – Group Session: Rhythm with Alexandre and Jovino, Wheeler
10:15 – Coffee Break, 204 lounge
10:45 -12:00– 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, USO building
6:00 – Dinner
8:00 – Rodas
Friday, April 25
8:00 - 9:00am – Breakfast
9:00 - 10:15 – Group Session: Voluntary Ensemble Master Class, Wheeler (With rhythm warm-up)
10:15 – Coffee break
10:45 – 12:00 – Instrument classes
12:00 - 1:00pm – Lunch
1:15 – 2:00 – Bandão Rehearsal w/ Faculty, USO building
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 to the 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
10:00 – Coffee break - CD Sales
10:45 – 12:00 – Instrument classes
12:00 -1:00pm – Lunch
2:00 - 3:00 – Ensembles
3:15 – 4:15 – Instrument Classes
4:30 - 5:15 – Bandão Rehearsal/Soundcheck 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.
Costs
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.
Important Travel & FAQ
Answers to common queries are below. Not finding what you need? Please contact Program Manager Gwen Franz: gfranz@centrum.org, (360) 385-3102 x109 or Program Assistant Matt Jones: jazz@centrum.org, (360) 385-3102 x106
Important travel info
Beginning May 7, 2025, all US domestic flight travel will require a Real ID or passport. All new state-issued licenses are Real ID compliant. For more on Real ID see: www.dhs.gov/real-id
Beginning March 1, 2025, a Discover Pass is required on all vehicles parked anywhere inside Fort Worden State Park. Passes are available at many Washington retailers and online for $35 (annual) or $11.50 (daily). A $30 (annual) or $10 (daily) pass is available at BLDG 200 and at the electronic kiosk by the Fort Worden beach (credit card only). For more on Discover Pass: discoverpass.wa.gov
Permanent Washington State Disability placards are accepted as an exemption from the Discover Pass requirement (those passes are blue). Washington State issued Disability License Plates are also accepted as an exemption.
Temporary placards do not qualify for the Discover Pass exemption but are valid for parking in ADA designated stalls (those passes are red).
- Permanent Disability placards or license plates. Only valid at State Parks (you'll still need a Discover Pass to access lands managed by WDFW or DNR). Make sure to bring your placard ID card or vehicle registration. Temporary (red) parking placards will not be accepted for day-use parking or camping discounts.
Here's a link to the Discover Pass website with a bullet about the placards:
Discover Pass Exemptions and Exceptions | Discover Pass, WA - Official Website
Here’s info about qualifying for the Blue Permanent Pass
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
-$325 deposit is nonrefundable.
-If you need to withdraw, you must inform us no later than March 3, 2025.
-Partial refunds can only be made prior to March 3, 2025.
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.
'This LIttle LIght of Mine' 2024 Performances
