Our History and Background

The Brazilian Voices Arts & Healing Program was inspired and guided by the work of Wellington Nogueira, founder of Doutores da Alegria (Doctors of Joy), a non-profit organization recognized nationwide for its professionalism and innovative work in the fields of Performing Arts, Culture and Health.  Brazilian Voices developed and implemented their own community-based program in Florida with the mission of bringing community participation and personal well-being through the Arts.

Research has shown that music enhances the ability of both mind and body to deal with life stressors in a more positive way, particularly through the human voice and its natural ability to affect us. This is the ultimate goal of the Arts & Healing Program, which implements its mission through a series of monthly workshops and performances, fostering a greater sense of community participation, hope and joy.

Brazilian Voices is keenly aware of their responsibilities and ethical conduct. The Arts & Healing team works in cooperation with the healthcare staff with whom they interact and who shares in the pleasure and enthusiasm of the performers. The group also works on developing and broadening their repertoire and the different elements of music, such as harmony, rhythm, dynamics, timbre, etc.

Additionally, the Arts and Healing program offers a series of workshops designed to support and enhance the Arts and Healing Program’s shared goals. Such workshops intend to further explore, understand and experience the nature of their work. These workshops include the implementation of drama techniques with singer participation, real-life simulations, group dialogue on the latest research— drawn upon a wide variety of sources on the positive effects of music and sound— its applications, and their effect upon the listener.

“A real medicine can only exist when it penetrates into a knowledge which embraces the human being in respect to body, soul and spirit.” Rudolf Steiner.