An introduction to Brazilian music for violin and flute students. The workshop will focus on Choro, a popular and iconic genre that is played throughout Brazil, which blends Afro-Brazilian and European musical elements, in what sounds like a jazzy yet classical samba.
Key highlights:
Learn a few Choro tunes
Explore simple improvisation techniques
Get to know typical Brazilian chord sequences
Discover a new genre to enjoy playing on your instrument
Opportunity to play with a professional Choro band at the end of the course
Workshop Description:
During this one day workshop, students will be split into a violin group taught by Rick O’Connor and a flute group taught by Rachel Hayter. Each group will learn some fun new tunes and instrument specific-beginner improvisation techniques. For the final part of the workshop, all the students will come together for a “roda”, a musical sharing circle similar to a jam, where musicians take turns in playing Choro theme melodies and improvising using the techniques previously learned.
Workshop Details:
Minimum playing requirement:
Violin: Suzuki book 5 or grade 5 standard
Flute: Suzuki book 5 or grade 5 standard
*no improvisation experience is needed on either instrument
Date: Sunday 20th July 2025
Time: 10am - 4pm
Location: Suzuki Hub, 116 Weymouth Terrace, Hoxton, London, E2 8LR
Cost: £100 *(discounts available for low income families - please get in touch with Rick via email at rick@thatviolinist.com).
Our teachers:
Rick O’Connor is a multi-genre violinist and fully qualified Suzuki violin teacher from London, who has spent the last 5 years living in Brazil. He grew up learning classical violin through the Suzuki method in London. After studying music at University he discovered a love for jazz and started exploring improvisation within the genres of Jazz Manouche and Swing. This led to him partaking in various projects in the UK and Australia, touring internationally, before moving to Brazil. He discovered Choro 5 years ago when he moved to Brazil and immediately fell in love with the genre. Rick has 20 years of teaching experience and has specialised over the last decade in teaching improvisation, creating new and fun ways for students to enjoy playing their instruments.
Rachel Hayter is a flautist, composer and music educator based in London. After studying languages at the University of Birmingham and living in Argentina and Brazil, Rachel did an MA at the Guildhall School of Music. Rachel has been passionate about Brazilian music since learning with a Brazilian flute teacher as a child. She specialises in choro and plays with award-winning quintets Alvorada (choro) and Olayá (Northeastern Brazilian music). Rachel has performed in numerous in festivals and venues including Kings Place, Southbank Centre, Shambala and Paris International Choro Festival, and has played with renowned Brazilian artists such as Gian Correa, Vitor Gonçalves and Alessandro Penezzi. Rachel teaches music across all levels, and also has led courses in Brazilian music at the universities of Leeds, Kings College and SOAS. Her choro compositions and arrangements feature on the ABRSM woodwind syllabus.