As of 2016-2017, Eric Kramer became music director of the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble. He remains assistant conductor with Bronx Opera, where he regularly conducts opening night performances. He also officially remains music director of Collegium Westchester, which he  conducted regularly from 2000 to 2014 in performances of orchestral and choral/orchestral works from the  Baroque through the current day.

Max Barros, Pianist Hailed by the critics for his elegant playing (The New York Times) and for his unfaltering brio (Gramophone), Max Barros has won wide acclaim as one of South America’s foremost pianists. Born in California and raised in Brazil, Mr. Barros was presented with the “Soloist of the Year” Award (1985) by the São Paulo Music Critics Association for his performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto in D  minor with the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra.

Alberto Rosenblit  is a pianist and composer, well-known for writing scores for soap operas and mini-series for Globo TV in Brazil. His original scores were released in CDS by Som Livre label in 2005 for the soap-opera “A Favorita”, and in 2008 for the mini-series “Mad Maria”. In 2013 the artist released through Som Livre “label” the album “Mata Atlântica”. The album features a great number of talented musicians and friends celebrating Rosenblit’s work.  For the past 30 years, Alberto is one of the main contributors of Brazil’s major TV network. Rede Globo.

Polly Ferman is an Uruguayan born, New York based pianist, and a leading interpreter of the music of the Americas. She captivates audiences with outstanding performances of works by Latin American composers.  Recognized by The Japan Times as “a Musical Ambassador of the Americas”, Ferman’s numerous recordings constitute one of the most extensive collections of Latin American repertoires for piano.

Lucian Krolow (Flute) – Natural of the city of Pelotas(Brasil) where it was formed Bachelor in Flute Transversal by Ufpel. He is currently professor of the Choro Workshop at Santander Cultural in Porto Alegre developing the language of Choro with Flute players in general.

Rodrigo Botter Maio, alto and soprano saxophones, flutes, voice, composition, and arrangement. As a young guy he played in Brazil with big names of the Bossa Nova and MPB, like Alide Costa, Gilberto Gil, Hermeto Pascoal and many other. In 1987 he left Brazil to study in Austria, Rome, and Boston at Berklee College of Music. He presently lives In Zurich- Switzerland.His trademark is always the high quality of the music and he avoid any kind of commercial music.

Alexandre Susin/Cavaquinho/Singer, Cavaquinho player and composer, he works on several projects related to choro and samba in Porto Alegre. Since the beginning of the year, he is a teacher in the voice-choir classes at the Oficina de Choro Santander Cultural.

Rafael Pereira Lima / Alto Sax – Rafael is a Brazilian Samba Jazz Saxophonist specialized in Choro music. He got his Masters in Jazz Performance (Netherlands/NYC) at the University of Hanze. For two years was professor of saxophone and improvisation the Federal University of Brazil and has performed with many important artists including Hermeto Pascoal. In USA, he played with the MCC Jazz Big Band. By the a ge of 24 years old got his classical Saxophone Bachelor degree from Institute of Arts of UFRGS/Brazil. Today Rafael is living in Rotterdam.

Johannes Fend is an aspiring young Bass player, born in Austria. He started music with Cello around the age of 6 and from there found his way to the electric and then Double Bass, which became his passion. He moved to the Netherlands to study jazz and classical Double Bass at the Prins Claus Conservatory. He recently won the 2nd price at the Il sole In Cantina Music award 2016 with his solo project, 1st price at Leiden Jazz Award 2017 with “Marco Apicella Trio “ and the price for the best solist at the Erasmus Jazz Price 2017.

Nelson Latif/ Cavaquinho and acoustic guitar player.Nelson Latif formed his musical identity in the legendary jazz scene of 1980’s São Paulo. With roots in choro and jazz, Latif merges Brazilian guitar technique with diverse musicalinfluences. As sociologist and cultural promoter, Nelson Latif has been coordinating educational projects for universities and cultural institutions around the world.

Mathias Behrends Pinto / Acc. Guitar

Born in Porto Alegre(Brazil) is the current coordinator of the Choro Santander Cultural Workshop, graduated in music from Instituto Porto Alegre, composer, guitar player and arranger working on several projects related to Choro language.

Brazilian vocalist Vanessa Falabella has a repertoire as great as her charm and charisma, singing everything from traditional samba and bossa nova, to jazz, MPB (Brazilian popular music), soul, and R&B.he has performed at New York’s top venues including SOB’s, Town Hall, The Supper Club, Cafe Wha, Joe’s Pub, and Zinc Bar. She has performed and recorded with Marcus Viana, Cyro Baptista, The Rain Forest Band, César Camargo Mariano, Sadao Watanabe, Gato Barbieri, Hiram Bullock, among others.

Madalena Sousa/ Founder and Chief Executive  Director of Brazilian Music Foundation (BMF) and president of Asuos Productions, Inc. For the past 15 years, she has produced and promoted the Brazilian Music in the city of New York. She created music  programs and concerts to promote and educate the public about Brazilian Music, its rhythms and styles. In 2015 she  created the  International Choro Festival. “The foundation was created to support cultural  projects, educate, develop, and preserve the roots of Brazilian Music.”