About Our Duo
Julie Koidin and Ricardo Vieira first played together in 2015 during Julie's Fulbright grant to research current trends in choro music in Brazil's northeast region. Julie was teaching a masterclass at the federal university in Aracaju, Sergipe when she met Ricardo. Once in Chicago, Julie performed Ricardo's music with a local guitarist. When Julie had the opportunity to return to Brazil in July, 2019, they formed their partnership and performed several concerts in two festivals- the first in Campina Grande at the International Music Festival and the second in Aracaju - in a project called "Quintas Instrumentais."
Julie Koidin, Flute
Dr. Julie Koidin is an award-winning flutist from Chicago, IL. She is active as a concert artist and teacher throughout the U.S. and internationally. To date, she has had 8 prestigious Fulbright awards to teach and perform U.S. flute repertoire at international institutions in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, New Zealand, Norway, Serbia and Sweden. She has toured Brazil 23 times since 1997, and has taught and performed at Brazilian music festivals such as FEMUSICA (Campos de Goytacazes), Brasília, Campina Grande, and Domingos Martins, as well as the federal universities in Brasília, Natal, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sergipe.
She is the recipient of 2 Illinois Arts Council Awards and her "Juntos" CD with guitarist/composer Paulinho Garcia was in the first round nominations for "Best Brazilian Roots Album" for the Latin Grammy Awards. Paulinho's solo CD, "My Very LIfe," on which Julie participated, was in the finals for a Grammy Award.
In addition to being a flutist and teacher, she is also an author. She has written two books: "Os Sorrisos do Choro" and its English translation: "Choro Conversations" - both published by Global Choro Music, and is also on the review committee for the National Flute Association's "Flutist Quarterly" journal. In addition to her numerous reviews for FQ she also has authored many articles for "Flute Talk Magazine" and other scholarly publications.
Her doctorate and master's degrees in flute performance are from Northwestern University where she studied with Walfrid Kujala and Richard Graef, and her bachelor's degree in flute performance in from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana where she studied with Alexander Murray. She has had numerous teachers throughout her career including Altamiro Carrilho, Keith Underwood, Robert Dick, Carol Wincenc, Joseph Zverov, Victoria Jicha, amongst others.
Ricardo Vieira, Guitar/Composition
Ricardo Vieira is a composer, seven string guitar player, arranger and musical producer. He specializes in performing popular Brazilian music in various genres at festivals and concert series throughout Brazil.
As a music producer, he has recorded the CD and web series, "Xangai em Cantingueiros" (2017) with Xangai, an important Brazilian music artist. Also in 2017, he produced the CD, "Chegada" with Júlio Rêgo, harmonica. Ricardo has served as music director and arranger for projects such as "Infinito" (Fred Andrade), "Águas de Arunda," "Gustavo Mattos," and "Un Dia, (Fred Andrade and Membrana Instrumental).
In 2018 Ricardo recorded the CD "Pérolas para Jobim" together with his wife, and Brazilian singer Rebeca Vieira. The CD contains songs written by Tom Jobim between the years 1947 and 1958, before the birth of Bossa-Nova.
As a composer, Ricardo focuses his projects on instrumental music, electroacoustic music, and a mixture of the two. He also researches compositional strategies for mixed formations, that involve the spectromorphology of sound, intersemiotic translation, intertextuality and mental representations.
Ricardo is currently pursuing his doctorate degree in "Creative Processes" at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro ("UNIRIO"). He holds a masters degree in guitar performance from the Federal University of Bahia and a bachelor’s degree in music from the Federal University of Sergipe.
Rebeca Vieira, Guest Vocalist
Rebeca Vieira is an internationally renown singer and music educator.
As a member of the acclaimed vocal group, Ordinarius, Rebeca recorded the CD “Notável” in 2017, dedicated to Carmen Miranda´s repertoire. The CD was nominated for a Prêmio da Música Brasileira, the most important music award in Brazil, and with this project, the group performed in Latin America, Panama, the United States and Europe.
She won the prize of "Best Singer" at the 7th National Festival of Colatina, Espírito Santo (2007). Her various solo performances include the CD, "Pérolas para Jobim," recorded by her Duo Vieira - the duo with her husband and 7-string guitarist/composer, Ricardo Vieira. "Pérolas para Jobim" (2018) is a tribute to Bossa Nova's 60th anniversary.
Also a talented teacher and conductor, Rebeca teaches at both the elementary and college levels. Since 2013 she has been on faculty at the Colegio Pedro II, a Brazilian federal institution. She has conducted choirs such as the State of Espírito Santo's Department of Education Choir and coordinated the project, “Bandas e Corais” at the Faculdade de Música do Espírito Santo music college.
Rebeca is a doctoral student researching the Theory and Practice of Interpretation at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Her research explores creativity in music education, which she also applies to her vocal performance. Her master’s degree is from the University of Rio de Janeiro and she also holds a postgraduate degree in psychopedagogy from the Faculdade Saberes and a bachelor’s degree in music from the Federal University of Espírito Santo. Her degree in vocal performance has a specialty in "Contemporary Belting," a technique created by the singing teacher and conductor, Marconi Araújo.
