Legendary Ilê Aiyê inspires in immersive arts masterclass

University News

Bright percussive beats poured from the Glenn Close Theatre stage Sept. 3 as the legendary Afro-Brazilian street band Ilê Aiyê held the first of several Charles Center-sponsored Arts Masterclasses hosted by William & Mary's Office of the Arts this academic year.

William & Mary students learn from members of the legendary Brazilian street band Ilê Aiyê during a Charles Center Arts Masterclass hosted by William & Mary's Office of the Arts in Glenn Close Theatre Sept. 3. Photo by Samuel Li

The following story originally appeared on the website for the Charles Center. - Ed.

A picture may capture a thousand words, but Brazilian percussion group Ilê Aiyê demonstrates how a melody embraced in polyrhythmic harmonies can convey meaning beyond what can be spoken or seen.

On the evening of Sept. 3, under the warm lighting of the Glenn Close Theatre, bright percussive beats poured from the stage as the legendary Afro-Brazilian street band Ilê Aiyê held the first of several Charles Center-sponsored Arts Masterclasses hosted by William & Mary's Office of the Arts this academic year.

Founded in 1975, Ilê Aiyê is a world-famous group from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, renowned for its unique combination of spirited drumming, intricate costumes, and inspired dance that reflects and transcends the history of an interconnected Atlantic world.

Students and community members in attendance were invited "to explore and experience" art of the highest level, said Executive & Artistic Director of the Arts Eric Despard, who invited the pioneering group to campus for a multiday residency that included a public concert in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall's Glenn Close Theatre Sept. 2.

The masterclass, taught in Portuguese with the aid of an interpreter, was an immersive experience linguistically and musically, as the lilting syllables and percussive beats wove together to engage participants as one.

Charles Center Arts Masterclasses are offered through William & Mary's Office of the Arts and allow for mentorship between world-class performers and students, faculty, and members of the campus community. (Photo by Samuel Li)

Students joined the group on stage to begin their instruction with fundamentals - the natural percussion of their bodies.

Once students mastered the basics, each member of the group paired with a pupil, demonstrating how to catch the rhythm, working to build a melody together.

Brazilian music ensemble student Isabella Sasso '25, a junior majoring in computer science, expressed excitement at this unique opportunity to explore her passion.

"I liked how interactive the masterclass was," Sasso said. "It reminded me of the kinds of workshops we did when I studied abroad in Brazil." Sasso recalled her interactions with her companion band member with a smile, saying that though she does not speak Portuguese, they were able to share laughs at her mishaps.

Sasso's passion for Brazilian music drove her to attend the masterclass, and this past winter, it took her to Brazil, where she studied the Brazilian musical tradition as a part of the Salvador Winter Study Abroad Program through W&M's Reves Center for International Studies.

William & Mary's Brazilian Music Ensemble, established in 2015 to expand and diversify the approach to Latin American studies at the university, is directed by John & Audrey Leslie Associate Professor of Music and Latin American Studies Michael Iyanaga. (Photo by Julia Beverley)

Julia Beverley '26, a data science major and fellow Brazilian music ensemble player, shared her own connection to the masterclass, which stemmed from her Brazilian heritage and her cultural connection to Brazilian music.

For Beverley, the masterclass was the perfect opportunity to explore a new genre and practice her Portuguese.

"It was so cool. I had such an amazing time. I think their music is so amazing, and it's so impressive how intricate the beats are," Beverley said. "Learning that style was so different from what I've ever learned because I also do percussion in the musical ensemble, and this was just another level."

Learning how to play the Brazilian drum called the timbau from Ilê Aiyê drummer Vincius Silva, Beverley shared that her favorite part of the masterclass was coming to understand the beat of her own drum and its rhythms when the band came together to play.

"I think doing the beat on my own was probably one of my favorite parts," Beverley said. "Once he finished teaching me the rhythm, he let me explore on my own and figure out how to get back on beat on my own."

Members of legendary Brazilian street band Ilê Aiyê shared their art, expertise, and instruments with students in W&M's Brazilian Music Ensemble during the masterclass in Glenn Close Theatre Sept. 3. (Photo by Samuel Li)

The masterclass is not the end for Beverley, a current data science major with a minor in math, who dreams of being a part of a Brazilian music band in the future.

"My mom has a few friends that play Brazilian music in concerts, and I think that would be so cool - to continue my experience learning and playing percussion with Brazilian music in the future."

New to campus and Brazilian percussive instruments, Lucas Bickham, a first-year student intending to double major in economics and international relations, explained that he cherished the chance to connect with fellow Brazilians in his new environment.

Lucas Bickham '29 gains percussion pointers from Ilê Aiyê musicians in the Sept. 3 masterclass, after first meeting the group in a pick-up soccer game on campus the day before. (Photo by Samuel Li)

"It was a great opportunity for me, especially with my Brazilian identity. It was an opportunity to establish a connection with them, because they also aren't familiar with things in the US, you know, because they came straight from Salvador, Brazil," Bickham said. "It was awesome getting to know them and having that connection to a home away from home."

Bickham was drawn to the masterclass by this call to his culture, but he had a previous connection with the group, as well. The day before the masterclass, Bickham happened upon them on campus when he heard Portuguese being spoken outside his dorm.

"The whole band was outside playing soccer. So, me and my roommate, we ran down there and started playing soccer with them," Bickham said. "That was really cool - it was a bonding moment, you know, and so that's how I built up some proximity to them before the masterclass."

Even outside his closeness with the band, Bickham said the masterclass was enjoyable because of the mentorship it offered, its engagement with the instruments, and the opportunity it provided to learn about a new genre of music.

Everyone was able to engage in the experience regardless of Portuguese proficiency, Bickham said, as "music portrays a message without words."

Prioritizing such transformative experiences through community outreach and meaningful mentorship is a priority for Despard and Office of the Arts. Last year Arts at W&M presented 275 events for the community, ranging from lectures and exhibitions to concerts and masterclasses, all designed to serve as a bridge between the campus community and the world.

"There hasn't been a presented season in 20 years on campus-until now," Despard said. "What that really means is bringing in world-class artists, Grammy-winning artists, and working with the Charles Center as a way to really support the student interaction with these artists."

The next event in the Charles Center Arts Masterclass series is the JazzReach masterclass with the Metta Quintet at 10am on Sept. 20 in the Music Arts Center Concert Hall. It will offer an inside look at jazz innovation and legacy showcasing the group's own approach to performance, improvisation, and education that has inspired audiences nationwide for over 25 years.

Charles Center Arts Masterclass tickets are available free of charge here, thanks to the generous support of the Elliot E. and Helen Y. Cohen Forum Endowment.

Tickets to the 7:30 pm Sept. 19 JazzReach Presents Ellington! concert with the Metta Quintet and special guests are available for purchase here.

Naomi Teferra, Charles Center

Subscribe to W&M Weekly

• share by email
• share on Facebook
• share on X
• share on LinkedIn

• share by email
• share on Facebook
• share on X
• share on LinkedIn

Related Stories