The music of Brazil is one of the most important expressions of Brazilian culture. Brazilian Rhythms like Samba and Bossa Nova were eternalized by international artists such as Frank Sinatra, Black Eyed Peas, Amy Winehouse, Stan Getz, and Herbie Hancock among many others.

The Brazilian Music Experience is an opportunity to explore the City of Rio de Janeiro and to interactively learn authentic Brazilian music from some of Rio's top musicians. This will be an unforgettable, weeklong, cultural trip and learning tour with lessons, percussion classes, workshops, and night entertainment highlighting the best of Brazilian music. Included also is an educational city tour, visiting stunning attractions such as Corcovado and Sugar Loaf.

If you love Brazilian music and culture and are a music student, professional musician, or hobbyist, this trip is for you.  Non-musicians, spouses, and friends are welcome to come along!

Our Brazilian partners are percussionist Mila Schiavo, who manages the music school at Cidade das Artes and has toured the world performing with many acclaimed acts, and Guilherme Gonçalves, Conservatory percussion professor and samba expert.

The Brazilian Music Experience

About this trip
August 23 to 30  / 2025

10 to 30 People 

The Brazilian Music Experience is an opportunity to explore the City of Rio de Janeiro and to interactively learn authentic Brazilian music from some of Rio`s top musicians. 

This will be an unforgettable, weeklong, cultural trip and learning tour with music lessons, workshops, ensembles, and night entertainment highlighting the best of Brazilian music. A Jam session with fellow teachers is also included. 

Our Brazilian partner is percussionist Mila Schiavo, who has toured the world performing with many acclaimed acts, a Berklee College of Music grad, and the 1st female to be a Samba Carnival judge in 90 years.  

Each year there`s a theme for the experience and in 2025, musician participants will be able to learn from Brazilian Music experts, Bossa Nova new compositions and explore Bossa Nova standards. Classes on Brazilian rhythms like Choro and samba will also be part of the schedule. 

Classes and workshops will occur at EcoSom Studio, a professional space, located in the neighborhood of Botafogo. 

An educational city tour is also included, and you can visit stunning attractions such as Corcovado and Sugar Loaf. 

If you love Brazilian music and culture and are a music student, professional musician, or hobbyist, this trip is for you. 

Non-musicians, spouses, and friends are welcome to come along. 

City Tour and night entertainment is included for nonmusician participants/companions. 

All Musicians accepted  (The New Bossa Nova + Samba + Choro) 

Aug 23 - 30, 2025  (7 nights)   

Lodging:

The Windsor Excelsior Hotel  - Av. Atlântica, 1800 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. 

The Hotel is a two-minute walk to Copacabana Beach, located in front of the Beach. 

Included: 

• Airport Pickups and drop-offs
• 7 Nights - Hotel accommodation superior room with Breakfast included 
• 1 Welcome Dinner 
• 1 City Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Lunch Included
• For Musicians Participants: 
  • 5 Workshops + Ensembles - 3 hours
  • 1 private class in the instrument you choose
  • Transfers to workshops 
  • 1 Jam Session (Night Entertainment) 
• Included to all participants
  • 5 Transfers to Night Entertainment
  • 5 Tickets to Venues (Night Entertainment)
• Ground Transportation will be in a van with air conditioning.

Payment: 

March 23 - Full Refund

March 24, 2025 - 30% 

April 23, 2025 - 60%

May 23, 2025 - 100% and no refund   

Note: 

• If there is a change in the exchange rate, below R$ 4.50, there may be a change in the values,  as well as if there is a reduction in the minimum number of people/rooms. 
• Starting April 01, 2025, citizens from Australia, Canada, and the United States will be required to have a Visa to get into Brazil. For other countries, please check with the Embassy of Brazil.
• Number of people: 15 - 30 People 
  • Minimum 10 rooms
  • Minimum Participants: 15  
  • Maximum Participants:: 30 People 
• Instruments Accepted
  Voice,  Bass, Drums, Percussion, Keyboard/Piano, Guitar (electric and acoustic),  Sax (Alto, Tenor & Soprano), Trumpet, Trombone, and flute.
  if you don't see your instrument on this list but want to join, no problem! Just ask.

Not Included: 

International Flights to Brazil

Visas to Brazil (Letteers for the Brazilian Embassy available upon request) 

International Health Insurance 

Drinks / Beverages

Dinner Unless specified

Lunch Unless specified  

*Itineraries and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond the control of The Brazilian Music Experience / Morningside Music Tours Control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. 

Read More: 

City Tour: 

• Corcovado 
• Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf)

Music Entertainment or Parties Included: 

Rio Scenarium 

Beco das Garrafas 

Blue Note Rio 

Casa do Choro 

Jam Session - Located to Be Announced 

Samba School Rehearsal 

Possible morning activities include:   

Santa Teresa Tour 

Little Africa Tour Maracanã Tour 

Guanabarra Bay Boat Trip 

Jeep tour to Tijuca Island 

Botanic Garden 

Stand-Up Paddle Rental (Copacabana Beach)

Surf Classes

*Itineraries and arranged sightseeing are subject to change at any time due to unforeseen circumstances or circumstances beyond The Brazilian Music Experience / Morningside Music Tours control. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued.

Starting in 2025, the Brazilian government will resume entry visa requirements for citizens of four countries, including the United States. The other countries are Japan, Australia, and Canada. 

Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy:  

January 6 - 20% deposit due (Full refund if canceled before 3/6) 

March 6 - additional 40% due (60%) - (refund of 40% if canceled before 4/6)

April 6 - final 40% due (100%) - no refund after this point

May 12 - final date to join the trip

If there is a change in the exchange rate (US Dollar), below R$ 4.20, there may be a change in the values.

Percussionist Mila Schiavo believes that when you love a music style you have to experience the culture where the rhythm came from. That’s why she developed “The Brazilian Music Experience”, so that people can learn and listen to the music where it started in Brazil. Mila manages "Musica para Crescer" (Music to Growth) a nonprofit music project that teaches kids and teenagers in Rio de Janeiro, and has toured the world performing with many acclaimed acts. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has a MBA from PUC - Rio de Janeiro. 

Percussionist Guilherme Gonçalves also studied at Berklee College of Music and upon returning to Brazil, performed with some of the top artists and taught at a number of different music schools including the Brazilian Popular Music Conservatory. He also has authored books on samba drumming.

Dan Fox, the owner of Morningside Tours, plays trombone, bass, and percussion and will be along on this fantastic trip to help coordinate and also continue to learn about the vast world of Brazilian music.

Classes - Included for Musicians Participants:

• The August Trip will focus on Bossa Nova from new Brazilian composers
  • Other possible styles to work on include choro and samba 
  • Players will also get to suggest, rehearse, and perform their favorite bossa nova and samba tunes
• 15 hours of group classes (Monday through Friday / from 2 pm to 5 pm)
• 1 hour of a private class (From 10 am to 1 pm) - The schedule will be released after registration. 

• Instruments Accepted
  Voice,  Bass, Drums, Percussion, Keyboard/Piano, Guitar (electric and acoustic),  Sax (Alto, Tenor & Soprano), Trumpet, Trombone, and flute.
  if you don't see your instrument on this list but want to join, no problem! Just ask.
  

Music Entertainment Venues or Parties Included: 

• www.feiradesaocristovao.org.br/
• Rio Scenarium (@rioscenarium) 
• Fundição Progresso: Rio Maracatu 
• Festa Junina - June Celebration on  Saint Antony Day (June 13) - location to be announced / Traditional Party in Brazil 
• Jam Session - location to be announced

Corcovado 

• http://visit.rio/que_fazer/cristoredentor/

Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf)

• https://www.bondinho.com.br