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Welson Tremura: “Love What You Do and What You Do Will Love You”

Abstract:

This interview with musician and educator Welson Tremura delves into his multifaceted journey as a musician and teacher. Tremura’s musical odyssey commenced under the influence of his father, a versatile violinist, exposing him to a rich tapestry of classical, folk, and diverse global musical traditions. Initially drawn to the guitar, Tremura embarked on a musical career encompassing various instruments, genres, and vocal performances. Despite familial pressures to pursue a different path, Tremura eventually found himself compelled to intertwine his legal education with his abiding passion for music. His quest for formal musical education led him from Brazil to the United States, where he navigated diverse instruments and styles, culminating in a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology.

Tremura’s philosophy on teaching emerges from a familial legacy of educators, emphasizing the transmission of respect, discipline, and passion for the discipline to his students. As a professor at the University of Florida, Tremura operates in a professional and visionary atmosphere, striving for excellence and encouraging students to measure success not solely in financial terms but also in the transformative impact on others. Teaching a broad spectrum of students, from undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates, Tremura adapts his approach based on each student’s unique developmental stage and abilities.

The interview further explores Tremura’s teaching techniques, focusing on the nuances of practice, warm-up, and instrument-specific exercises. He emphasizes the importance of tailoring techniques to individual needs, suggesting books such as Henrique Pinto’s “Technique for the Right Hand” for guitarists. His advice to students underscores the reciprocal relationship between love for one’s craft and the rewards it yields, while his guidance for teachers emphasizes the necessity of continual learning and an open-minded approach to evolving pedagogical paradigms.

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ISSN: 2792-8349

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International Journal of Music