welson tremura — guitar & vocal

Acclaimed guitarist/singer, Welson Tremura maintains an active performance schedule and has been involved in performances and interdisciplinary projects in Brazil, United States, Europe, and New Zealand. Welson Tremura coordinates the world music ensembles, is the Co-Director for Jacaré Brazil (Brazilian music ensemble) and is the Director for the Brazilian Music Institute at the University of Florida.

A native of Brazil, he studied classical guitar with Marcos Barbosa and later attended Weber State University in Utah and The University of Tennessee where he received an MM in music (conducting and voice performance). While in Tennessee, he directed Roane State Community College Concert Choir and Celebration Show Choirs and performed with the Knoxville Opera Company.

Welson Tremura has an extensive career and has released two recordings and participated on recordings with renowned musical artists in Brazil as well as in the United States. Some of these includes at the International Double Reed Convention (Rotterdam, Holland), Festival de Inverno (Campos do Jordão, Brazil), Nashville Opry Theatre Christmas Concert with Barbara Mandrel Nashville), and a benefit Concert with Bernadette Peters (Tallahassee) as well as most recently with the Ahn Trio and the California Guitar Trio as a guitarist and singer in Florida and Indiana. He has also performed solo concerts for João Figueiredo and Ernesto Geisel (former Presidents of Brazil) and won second place for his composition with RTC (Rádio e Televisão Cultura).

He is a professor in the School of Music and the Center for Latin American Studies where he has developed and directs the guitar and vocal ensembles specializing in ethnomusicology (folk religion, technology, and interdisciplinary projects). He has also created media and used the Internet and technology to promote performance connecting distant people through music. His most recent publication “Brazilian Folia de Reis: With An Open Heart: A Spiritual Journey Through Song” is available in paperback throughout several publishing sites.