My Story
Banda Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Itu São Paulo, Brazil, 2003
Felipe followed his growing passion for music by joining every ensemble and performance group he could. His commitment to excellence allowed him to perform in community and symphonic bands, symphonic orchestras, and commercial bands at a variety of events around São Paulo.
“The community band had people from the most diverse ethnicities, social economics backgrounds, and religions. Young students, construction workers, police officers, priests, lawyers, doctors, and several other professions. The music teachers donated their time and knowledge, and members that could not donate their knowledge looked for donations and extra help. At that time I did not know the meaning of philanthropy, but I understood that it was necessary to share and donate in order to create change.”
Mario Campos and Coletivo Orquestral, Campinas, Brazil, 2010
After excelling in his educational pursuits at Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP under a full scholarship, he gained opportunities to perform with great national and international artists like Raul de Souza, Branford Marsalis, Zé da Velha, and Silvério Pontes. He developed a proficiency in a variety of styles, including Samba, Samba-Rock, Choro, Salsa, Jazz, and commercial bands.
“The experiences from the past continue to reflect on my future decisions as an adult. At age eighteen I started teaching at nonprofit music schools in the area, including Projeto Guri and ASSATEMEC, both free music education programs for Brazilian children living in poverty. Inspired by what I learned in the past from my teachers I always strived to educate students of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds on the power of music to affect the perspectives and culture around them.”
Indiana University - Jacobs School of Music Symphony Orchestra. Bloomington, IN, 2014
At a 2010 seminar in Brazil’s capital, at Universidade Estadual de Brasília, Professor Peter Ellefson encouraged Felipe to learn English in order to move to the US and study trombone. Felipe did just that! He moved in 2012 where he was given a full scholarship to the Master’s Degree program at Indiana University - Jacobs School of Music, studying under Professor Peter Ellefson. During his time at Indiana University, Felipe was recognized for his skill as a Finalist in the Latin American Music Recording Competition and as a Finalist in the Indiana University Brass Concerto Competition.
Cleveland Institute of Music - Symphony Orchestra. Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH, 2015
In 2017, Felipe graduated from the Artist Diploma program at Cleveland Institute of Music under former principal trombonist of the Cleveland Orchestra, Massimo La Rosa, and bass trombonist of the Detroit Symphony, Randall Hawes. Felipe worked as the Principal Trombonist for the Cleveland Opera Theater and Substitute Trombone for the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Firelands Symphony, and Mansfield Symphony.
After playing in orchestras, salsa bands, and his Brazilian band “Paulo Costa Trio” basically everywhere in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, Felipe moved to Austin, TX to pursue his Doctoral in Music Arts degree at The University of Texas at Austin – Butler School of Music under Dr. Nathaniel Brickens. In Austin, Felipe worked as the Academic Assistant for the Communications Department at Butler School of Music and also as the Artist in Resident at Yuyo in Austin, Texas.
The Brazilian band, Paulo Costa Trio, performing at Barroco in Lakewood, OH, 2014.
Dr. Felipe Brito graduated from his DMA program at The University of Texas at Austin – Butler School of Music in 2021 creating a huge impact at the music school’s communications department. Learn more.
Driven by a deep belief in the genuine connection that is made through music, Felipe strives to share this powerful interaction with audiences and students of all ages and backgrounds. He currently shares this gift with the community as a Band Director at IDEA Montopolis College Prep, and as the Lead Instructor and Development Director at the Cleveland summer arts program, Amistad Caribbean Arts Camp. Felipe strives to share the power of music with students in order to transform their lives.