[Main visual] Cristal Angelica Velloso
Brand Stories

Cristal Angelica Velloso

The artistic and pedagogical director of Yamaha Sopro Novo Foundation

We sat down with Cristal Angelica Velloso to discuss her career so far and thoughts around music and education.

To begin with, I would like to know details about yourself and some background on your music journey.

I started studying music at the age of 6 as my mother's strategy to help me overcome shyness and emotional dependence. I was lucky enough to study at Fundação das Artes de São Caetano do Sul. This school was state-of-the-art, linked to teachers who used active methods of music education such as Orff and Willems. I remember that we sang a lot, played a lot and had at our disposal many instruments of small percussion and instrumental Orff. The teachers were very cheerful and caring. They played the piano and encouraged us to create all the time.

I remember playing xylophones and singing in addition to playing a round and learning a different song in each class. I loved the classes and my teachers.

[Photo] Cristal Angelica Velloso

How would you describe your relationship with music and education?

When I finished my music training course at Fundação das Artes my father wanted me to stop studying music because he didn't think I had a good professional future. I told my teacher that my father would no longer pay for my classes at school, and he offered for me to give flute lessons to the school children so that I could pay for my studies. This is how, at 14, I started my teaching career at the same Fundação das Artes where I studied since I was 6 years old. My father approved and since then I haven't stopped.

Through music I got to know myself better, I tested my limits, and in the presentations, I overcame my shyness and dependence on my parents. Music gave me a direction, a purpose of life and the possibility of making unthinkable dreams come true. Music is my life. When I’m playing an instrument, I feel blessed, and responsible for bringing good things to people through the music I perform.

I describe my relationship with education as visceral. I am a musician to teach, I am an artist to communicate, I am an educator to train. This is what I have accomplished, and this is how I fulfill my purpose in life.

My purpose in music education is to contribute to the formation of people useful to society. May they become more empathetic, sensitive, and loving.

I created the Sopro Novo methodology over the past 18 years. I propose playful, practical activities and at the end we always reflect on what we have learned. The important thing is to learn and teach with joy, respecting the limits of colleagues and helping everyone overcome their obstacles. This is the most important thing in music class.

[Photo] Cristal Angelica Velloso

Have you ever faced any gender equality issues? How did you overcome these issues?

Certainly yes, but nothing stopped me. When I didn't agree with something and the fight presented itself unsuccessful, I resigned. That's why I set up a music school and stayed with it for 8 years with great success and decided to join Yamaha Musical do Brasil to do Sopro Novo. I think I am like water, where I either contour or drown any difficulties.

In times of running for leadership, whenever there was a man in the same position as me, he was the one selected. Even if technically, I was superior, and the cost was less for the simple fact of being a woman. Structural machismo is difficult to break, but things are improving for women, because today we talk about it more naturally and truthfully.

[Photo] Cristal Angelica Velloso

What changes do you think need to be made to empower women and girls in the field of music?

I think the changes are happening slowly, but I believe that valuing the feminine aspects in general as strengths and not weaknesses.

Sensitivity, gentleness, loving-kindness are feminine attributes that were read as frailties and today it seems that they are beginning to be seen differently.

Humanity must seek the good of all without distinction of gender, race, creed, social level or age. Only then will we have a better world.

View Dr. Nadia's Journey