Art and culture|Children|NGO's
Maestro Eliseu teaches more than just music to his students.
Teacher’s Day is a special date to celebrate the educators who dedicate their lives to inspiring and guiding their students. At the Ramacrisna Institute, this celebration takes on even greater significance as we remember the tireless work of our teachers, such as Maestro Eliseu, who has been leading the orchestra for children, adolescents, and young adults for decades.
Since 2014, Maestro Eliseu has been at the helm of the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra, a project that has become one of the main cultural and educational initiatives in the region. What makes this project so special is its mission of social inclusion, providing access to music for children and young people from vulnerable communities.
Through the orchestra for Ramacrisna’s children and adolescent students, Eliseu and the other teachers offer not only musical instrument lessons but also an opportunity for personal growth and the development of skills that go far beyond music.
The Journey of Maestro Eliseu
The journey of Maestro Eliseu is inspiring. As a young man, he found in music a way to express his emotions and connect with the world around him. His passion for sounds and harmonies led him to study music with dedication until, years later, he discovered his calling as a teacher and conductor. He is not just a simple transmitter of knowledge but has always believed in the power of musical education as a tool for social transformation.
The creation of the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra was a milestone in his career and in the lives of hundreds of young people. The project was designed to serve children and adolescents in vulnerable situations, offering an opportunity many would never have. For Eliseu, the orchestra is much more than a space for technical learning; it is a place where young people find discipline, values, and, above all, hope for a better future.
Over the past decade, Maestro Eliseu has conducted the orchestra with a careful eye and commitment to the holistic development of his students. He believes that every rehearsal and performance is an opportunity to teach about overcoming challenges, teamwork, and the value of continuous effort. In this way, the orchestra for children and adolescents directly contributes to shaping more conscious, responsible, and accomplished citizens.
“I have been a teacher for many years and have a special affection for the kids at Ramacrisna because it is a social project in a vulnerable area. We work on socio-cultural and economic empowerment. We see that these are very talented kids, they have the potential to become professionals. We work with this empowerment so that they can earn money, professionalize themselves, and teach others. It is very gratifying to see this happen,” he said.
The Impact of the Orchestra for Children and Adolescents
More than just musical notes, the project has a much deeper impact. Many students who have gone through the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra pursue successful careers, both in music and other fields. They all carry with them the lessons of discipline, perseverance, and dedication they learned from Maestro Eliseu. The orchestra has opened doors to new horizons, paving paths that many of these young people never imagined walking.
In addition to training musicians, the project has a profound social impact, helping to reduce the vulnerability of children and adolescents. By offering a welcoming and development space, the orchestra becomes an environment where young people find security and direction, steering away from risky paths and violence.
Moreover, there is a personal development impact on each student. “Many students come with shattered self-esteem, not feeling capable. So, our job is to show them that they can succeed in life as musicians,” he emphasized.
The Ramacrisna Institute, through the orchestra, reaffirms its commitment to quality education and social transformation. Projects like this are essential to show that art and culture can be powerful agents in building a fairer and more inclusive future.
So much so that, recently, “Altas Horas,” from Rede Globo, welcomed musicians Igor Rodrigues, Ana Clara Malaquias, and conductor Eliseu Barros. They performed on the program and were informed that Ramacrisna had been granted funding by Criança Esperança, which will once again provide financial support to the institute this year.
The funds will promote educational reinforcement and cultural development for children and adolescents through workshops on educational robotics, environmental education, sports, and music. The Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra and the institute’s Fablab, a digital fabrication lab, will also directly benefit from the investment.
Learning in Practice
With all these lessons, Maestro Eliseu’s students shine on stage! You can witness this at the benefit concert that will take place on October 22nd. The performance marks the 65th anniversary of the Institute and features a special appearance by singer Seu Jorge. All proceeds will go towards supporting the social projects developed by Ramacrisna.
