Choro Camp takes place in Marlboro, VT from September 29 – October 4, 2026.
The annual deep dive into Brazilian Choro for vocalists and players of 6 and 7-string guitar, mandolin, winds, cavaquinho, percussion and accordion/keyboards will be both fun and educational.
Registration is now open for Choro Camp New England 2026! September 29 – October 4, join Água de Moringa (pictured), Mariana Baltar, Anat Cohen, Vitor Goncalves and Skye Soto Steele for exploration into choro and related Brazilian musical genres.
About Choro: The musical genre of “choro,” also known as “chorinho,” began to take shape in mid-19th century Rio de Janeiro, where the music of the Portuguese court – ballroom dances such as the polca, waltz and schottisch met that of Afro-Brazilians.
A similar process took place 5,000 miles to the north, where African-American skills and sensibilities combined with European music – especially that of military bands – to bring forth first ragtime, then jazz. And just as ragtime and jazz are universally regarded as prototypically American, so too is choro recognized as uniquely, exquisitely Brazilian.
Photo of Vitor Goncalves
Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Gonçalves was steeped in the rich traditions and colorful history of Brazilian music. His first instrument was guitar, which he took up at age 10. Later his father bought a keyboard for his sister. She never played it, but Vitor sure did. He also took up sax and played that instrument with a number of bands early in his career.
While still living in Brazil, Vitor worked as an accordionist and pianist in the Choro, Samba, Forró and Jazz scenes, sharing the stage with masters like Paulo Moura, Zé da Velha, Elza Soares, and Emílio Santiago. From 2008 through 2011 he was part of legendary singer Maria Bethânia’s band. During this time, they recorded two albums, produced a DVD and toured the world.
Now residing in New York City, Vitor is a frequent resident on the stages of Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, and the Jazz Gallery. He both leads his own projects and collaborates with figures in the New York scene such as Anat Cohen, Vinícius Cantuária, Anthony Wilson, and Cyro Baptista. He has taught and performed taught at several editions of Choro Camp New England and we’re happy to have him back this year.
For more information about Choro: https://chorocamp.com/about-choro/
If you are on the mailing list, check your inbox for more details. If you are not on the mailing list, but would like to be, email: chorocamp@gmail.com
