Brazil 2026
- Jun 17
- 6 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Summer is almost here and I want to share something about my winter adventures before summer busyness takes over. I traveled to Brazil again in January for a Música Do Circulo retreat for the third year in a row. Every year I have become more engaged with this wonderful practice. For the last 2 years I have been doing the Música Do Circulo training so that I can lead the practice myself. In March I traveled to Mandala Springs in the Mayacamas Mountains in California to complete the 4th and final training module and have now started to lead my own circles. It is so much fun!! And these days I believe we are in dire need of more fun. For more information about Música Do Circulo practice, retreats and the training click on the links or get in touch. I would be happy to share what my experience has been. I am already planning to go to a retreat next year! There is nothing like experiencing the practice in Brazil where it was created.
In early January I left the winter cold of New England for the summer warmth of São Paulo, Brazil. I met up with some friends and stayed a couple of days in the city before heading to the retreat. It's always interesting to transition to a new culture. My first adventure was in a local grocery store.
I definitely knew I wasn't in the United States!
On every visit to São Paulo I have been so impressed by the murals
which are everywhere and I can't resist taking photographs of them.
We enjoyed wandering around the city and attended a wonderful concert - a collaboration between Canadian, Brazilian, Puerto Rican and American musicians who are all connected to the family that is Música Do Circulo
The next morning we all set off for Espaço Naturtureza Arco Iris in São Roque, about an hours bus ride from São Paulo. Arco Iris is a lovely retreat center, simple but beautiful with wonderful vegetarian food.
A perfect setting for a week of song, dance, and connection.
One of the delights of staying at Arco Iris for me is the opportunity to experience early morning walks,
taking in the amazing variety of flowers. So beautiful!
Morning light!
Retreat Participants!
One of the special things about Música Do Circulo retreats is that there are so many incredibly talented people who attend who have their own special things to share. This crew learned a beautiful South African song from German vocalist and choir leader Annalena Doss (in the flowery shirt) which she had learned from composer Thabang Mokoena, choir leader of the Lesedi Show Choir from South Africa. This photo was taken right after her workshop. Huge smiles all around!
And a special shout out to my friend and teacher Dodô Martins. I have been studying Portuguese and the Pedagogy of Cooperation with him online for the last two years. Slow progress in Portuguese but so much fun! The pedagogy of cooperation is an educational approach that emphasizes collaborative learning, social interdependance, and the development of empathy, communication, and problem solving skills. It is a wonderful approach that is woven into the practice of Música Do Circulo and into the teaching of Dodô.
It was such a pleasure to be able to be with him in person at the retreat.
After a wonderful week with folks from all over the world who have fallen in love with the Música Do Circulo practice we traveled back to São Paulo for a concert and workshops featuring several local musicians and visitors from abroad who are connected to Música Do Circulo. Just one example from the wonderful concert - this is a group called Kundengo which includes one of the founders of MDC, Zuza Gonçalves,
and leaders of the Música Do Circulo practice in São Paulo.
The next day held more opportunity for communal music!
An improvisational event called Fritura Livre (translation - Free Fry!)
"Since January 2013, Música do Círculo has been promoting an open and
free meeting of Música do Círculo every month in a public place in São Paulo,
where everyone who wants to can join the circle to live an inclusive,
fun and powerful experience of music and human relationships."
Click on the link for more information.
Next stop in Brazil trip 2026 was a visit to the coastal city of Santos with fellow Música Do Circulo leader from Mexico, Alejandra Loaiza. We visited one of my learning partners from Dodô Martin's language class, Adriana Aires, who is studying English. (We get together online once a week and attempt to communicate!) Alejandra and I had a week before attending a Música Do Circulo leaders gathering and the plan was to have
some beach time in Santos. Unfortunately it rained the whole time we were there - but - we still had fun!
Dri teaches Danças Circulares (Circular Dances)
and we were able to attend one of her classes - wonderful!
The video was created by Dri but slightly edited so that I could share it.
We went swimming even though the sun never came out...
We enjoyed the torrential rain in the shelter of several restaurants!
Especially Dona Angola, a restaurant with a unique decor, delicious
traditional Brazilian dishes, caipirinha and pizza!
We went back twice!
Next stop - Curitiba - where Alejandra and I visited our friend Paola Faoro,
another Música Do Circulo leader, whose father lives there.
Paola on the left with her dear friend and wonderful musician
Melina Mulazani. Melina shared some of her vast knowledge
of traditional Brazilian music and taught us about Coco -
an African-influenced musical rhythm and dance from northern Brazil.
Melina also took us to a local restaurant to listen to a rehearsal for carnival
While we were in Curitiba we spent some time exploring the city, visiting the Opera De Arame and the amazing Museu Oscar Niemeyer, affectionately known as the "Museu do Olho" the Eye Museum - for obvious reasons!
A uniquely beautiful museum, inside and out, housing some amazing exhibitions
Some of the pieces in the exhibition
"Africa, Artistic Expressions of a Continent"
And "Asia: The Land, the People, the Gods"
A few pieces from an extensive exhibit of the amazingly varied work of Curitiba artist Napoleon Potyguara Lazzarotto, better known as Poty (March 29, 1924 – Curitiba, May 8, 1998) Some examples of his work ranging from cartoons to illustrations, murals, stained glass, sculpture and wood carvings.
Finally we went up into the "eye" of the museum to see the wonderful work of Mariana Palma,
beautiful paintings and the gorgeous installation in the video below.
The next day we discovered that one of many examples of Poty's work
in Curitiba is in the neighborhood where we were staying.
It was great to see his work in its intended habitat!
After our time in Curitiba we went back to São Paulo to catch a ride to the
Música Do Circulo leaders gathering in Cunha
and we were able to catch a Barbatuques concert.
If you ever have the opportunity to see them - jump at it!
They are amazing and one of the major influences of Música Do Circulo.
Below is a small sample from the concert.
The next morning we were off to Cunha and the Flor Das Aguas Retreat Center
Paola Faoro, me, Joni NehRita, and Beatriz Tomaz - looking pretty happy!
The next days were spent making music in this beautiful space, taking turns leading and deepening our knowledge of the practice of Música Do Circulo. Such a pleasure to experience all of the different styles of
leadership and the deep connection that is created through
beautiful co-creation and collaboration.
And, of course, the retreat center is surrounded by natural beauty which adds to the experience
Sadly, I had to leave early because of a commitment I couldn't miss back at home. I needed to do a presentation at Berklee College of Music to complete my certification as a Community Health Musician.
Fortunately, I managed to make it home to Martha's Vineyard
after the presentation in Boston just before one of the major storms we experienced this past winter!
Wow! It was good to make it home before the snow started
falling - and falling and falling!
I want to end this long post by saying a huge thank you to
Alejandra Loaiza, my travel buddy and dear friend
who helped me through a rough patch with some health issues
in the middle of our adventures.
It was definitely a challenge to to be sick in a foreign country!
Alejandra is such a loving and generous friend.
I will be forever grateful for her care.
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