All Ears with Gustavo Brasil
If you know music teacher Gustavo Brasil, it should come as no surprise to hear that he is the proud pet-owner of a bunny named “Jazz.” Gustavo’s genuine passion for jazz (the musical genre), and music in general, is evident in the energy and enthusiasm of his teaching and the music he creates and directs. And let’s not forget his killer sense of humor, a trait that serves him well with his teenage students.
If you know music teacher Gustavo Brasil, it should come as no surprise to hear that he is the proud pet-owner of a bunny named “Jazz.” Gustavo’s genuine passion for jazz (the musical genre), and music in general, is evident in the energy and enthusiasm of his teaching and the music he creates and directs. And let’s not forget his killer sense of humor, a trait that serves him well with his teenage students.
Gustavo joined the CSW Music Department about 16 years ago (around the same time I started here myself) and in that time I have consistently been astounded by his talent and skill. One of the most memorable moments is the time when Gustavo improvised the entire live musical score to our Shakespeare Ensemble’s production of MacBeth. I was seated near the back, three seats away from Gustavo, and was absolutely entranced by the sounds that were coming out of his guitar, which I have since learned was a Synth Access Guitar. As Gustavo recently explained to me, with this particular type of instrument, the sound goes through magnetic capture, and is then converted to digital, processed through a computer, and modified to mimic the sound of whatever instrument the player desires (which explains how the sound of a trumpet was coming from his guitar!). And remember, all of this was improvised.
Gustavo joined the CSW Music Department about 16 years ago (around the same time I started here myself) and in that time I have consistently been astounded by his talent and skill. One of the most memorable moments is the time when Gustavo improvised the entire live musical score to our Shakespeare Ensemble’s production of MacBeth. I was seated near the back, three seats away from Gustavo, and was absolutely entranced by the sounds that were coming out of his guitar, which I have since learned was a Synth Access Guitar. As Gustavo recently explained to me, with this particular type of instrument, the sound goes through magnetic capture, and is then converted to digital, processed through a computer, and modified to mimic the sound of whatever instrument the player desires (which explains how the sound of a trumpet was coming from his guitar!). And remember, all of this was improvised.
When I ask Gustavo about his teaching philosophy, he tells me it’s all about having open ears and an open mind. “Some mornings I might be listening to classical music on the way to work, and on others I might be listening to Top 40,” Gustavo says. “This way, when my students talk about Drake or Lamar, I know who they mean. I can give my honest assessment, and we can have a meaningful conversation about it.”
He hopes to inspire that openness with his students, while also equipping them with the fundamental skills they need to really explore music in depth. “I try to be very honest with them about the importance of skills,” Gustavo shares. “When I was in college, undergoing formal training, I had to learn how to conduct. And I had to sing in the choir. Did I love it? No. At the time, I was in love with Rock and Metal. But I realized that to become an expert in one thing, I needed to learn everything. And by the end of college, I was in love with Bach and the classical impressionists.”
Gustavo is currently working on his fourth book on hybrid picking. As for Jazz, she prefers classical Baroque music. She is often to be found stretched out on the floor in relaxation while Gustavo plays this type of music on his guitar, basking in the glow of yet another private concert. That Jazz is one lucky bunny.
Check out Gustavo’s website at http://gustavoassisbrasil.com
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.