The Brazilian Music Institute (BMI) at the University of Florida celebrates its 14th annual event in May, bringing renowned Brazilian artists to Gainesville to perform, teach students, and share their musical talents with the community. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Welson Tremura, the BMI offers a week-long celebration of Brazilian culture and music through specialized music camps and clinics for students, as well as public performances. The event has grown over 13 years to provide important educational and cultural experiences for both musicians and music enthusiasts.

1. Brazilian Music Institute Backgrounder
Contact: Chip Lowe; Phone: (352) 213-7650; Email: chiplowe@ufl.edu
The Brazilian Music Institute (BMI) has celebrated 13 years at UF and will host its 14th
annual weeklong event this May. The event provides an important anthropological function for
the Gainesville community as it gives musicians and music-enjoyers the ability to experience
authentic Brazilian music.
The BMI brings in outstanding artists year after year to support a learning environment
for students in the School of Music. It is also a celebration of Latin American culture and
Brazilian musical influence. Many participants enjoy the great music celebrated throughout the
event.
For students, the BMI offers a five-day music camp, complete with clinics. The camp
gives students the opportunity to rehearse with the talented artists that make their way to
Gainesville. The BMI has developed a schedule that allows students to get relevant practice for
their musical focus, whether that is guitar, voice, drums and percussion or wind and brass. In
addition to the specialized sessions, the BMI also offers group rehearsals so that students can see
the full musical experience in action.
Dr. Welson Tremura founded the BMI at UF in 2001. As an associate professor, Tremura
teaches ethnomusicology and Latin American studies. Tremura also has extensive experience in
Latin America, having served as a legal adviser and business manager to companies there, with
special regard to environment and manufacturing issues and biological controls.
Dr. Tremura’s leadership has been integral to the establishment and continued success of
the BMI. It also sponsored by by the Center for World Arts, Center for Latin American Studies,

2. School of Music, UF Student Government, U.S. Department of Education Title VI Program, Dr.
Madelyn Lockhart and Visit Gainesville.
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3. Brazilian Music Institute
University of Florida
|Center for Latin American Studies
319 Grinter Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-5530
Fact Sheet
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chip Lowe
Media Relations
(352) 213-7650
chiplowe@ufl.edu
14th
Annual Brazilian Music Institute Returns to UF on Monday, May 12
Bringing Artists Together for a Weeklong Event of Learning and Performing
What: The weeklong event combines various music styles, ranging from classical to
contemporary. The BMI brings exceptional artists together in an event designed to
facilitate the experience of great music and expand the possibilities of
participating attendees.
Who: The BMI was founded in 2001 by Dr. Welson Tremura. It also sponsored by the
Center for World Arts, Center for Latin American Studies, School of Music, UF
Student Government, U.S. Department of Education Title VI Program, Dr.
Madelyn Lockhart and Visit Gainesville.
Where: The five-day music camp for students will be hosted in the Music School. The
concert held at the end of the week will be in Squitieri Studio Theatre, located in
the West Wing of the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

4. When: The event starts Monday, May 12. The week concludes with the concert on
Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Why: The event provides an important anthropological function for the Gainesville
community as it gives musicians and music-enjoyers the ability to experience
authentic Brazilian music.
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