Cultural project offers free music classes, strengthening community connection

CAMPINAS, Brazil – With support from Aviagen^® Latin America, the Oficinas de Música Caipira project is bringing new generations closer to traditional Brazilian folk music and classics such as Asa Branca, Luar do Sertão, Tocando em Frente, Chalana and Romaria. The initiative offers free music workshops for children, teenagers and adults in Joaquim Egídio, a rural district of Campinas, São Paulo (SP), helping preserve cultural heritage while strengthening community bonds.

Promoted by Kalithéa, part of the Direção Cultura group, the project has been sponsored by Aviagen through the Federal Culture Incentive Law since it was first introduced in 2017. In collaboration with the Francisco Barreto Leme State School, it engages both students and the wider community, including an adult choir with more than 30 members.

Nurturing talent through free music education

“The relevance of the program in the musical and personal development of participants is demonstrated by the numbers: More than 200 students have already participated in the workshops, with an average stay of three to four years. In 2025 alone, 70 people have already benefited from the program,” Cultural Director Antoine Kolokathis.

Classes include viola caipira (a traditional Brazilian guitar), guitar, choral singing and musical initiation, all taught by experienced musicians and teachers such as choir conductor Jairo Silveira, viola caipira specialist João Paulo Amaral and guitarist Ricardo Matsuda.

“In addition to all the benefits that art and music offer, the project keeps authentic folk music alive, which is one of the pillars of our culture. It is a great achievement to carry out a training project for so many years, continuously and completely free of charge,” added Kolokathis.

Strengthening communities through culture and identity

For Aviagen, supporting the Oficinas de Música Caipira is about more than music. “Culture is an essential part of social sustainability and caring for the communities where we live and work. We are proud to invest in a project that uses music as a tool for inclusion, education and wellbeing. By helping to preserve regional identity while opening doors for new talent, we are breeding success together with local communities,” concluded Ivan Pupo Lauandos, President of Aviagen Latin America.