Douglas Aguiar
“HEALING THROUGH MUSIC IS A WAY TO CONNECT OR RECONNECT PEOPLE WITH THEMSELVES THROUGH SOUNDS, VIBRATIONS, RHYTHMS, EVEN NOISES”
Douglas Aguiar
Country of origin: Brazil
Occupation: Musician, music therapist, music and language teacher. State of residency: NSW. Favourite place in Australia: Any place close to nature. I love beaches and waterfalls. Upon arrival: Surprised by my wife, Tricia
Edited by Trini Abascal and Zoe Gleeson.
Douglas Aguiar is a musician, music therapist, cultural developer/manager of events, music and language coach/teacher/tutor. Before COVID-19, he used to volunteer cleaning the Cooks River with The Mudcrabs, a non-profit organisation. He also volunteered for BrazilianAid, playing for them in 2020. He and his band were invited to play for distinguished people such as the diplomats in Canberra. As a music therapist he is grateful to be able to use music to improve the lives of the people he comes in contact with.
TELL US YOUR STORY
Wedding Day - 2016.
I was born in São Paulo and in 2000 after completing classic guitar at a conservatory plus an Advertising & Marketing degree at University I moved to Madrid to study Flamenco guitar. I became a European Union Citizen after living in Spain for 14 years and in 2013 I came to Australia seduced by new horizons. After a few months in Sydney I met my wife, since then it’s been nine years together building a life and family and developing my artistic career through cultural projects.
Music and languages are my professional path, whether in Spain or even before, in Brazil; when I started teaching music in 1996. I recorded an Album in 2008 when I was living in Spain (Boca a Boca) and I launched a single in 2018 while living in Australia (Pero).
When I arrived in Australia, I quickly performed some gigs to play Forró music. Forall Band was my first project in Sydney and it’s been eight years spreading “Luiz Gonzaga, Baião’s King”. Thanks to Forall Band and after volunteering for a group, in 2018 I created the community “Forró Sydney” who supports events and Bands. With my musician friends, I had the honour to perform in festivals and/or events such as: SLAFF – Sydney Latin American Film Festival, Inner West Festival and we also performed to the diplomacy and Associations.
In 2017 I started a “club” based on “Brazilian Club/Jam Choro” concept. It’s been 5 five years since then and it’s the project that I’m celebrating right now with all the “Sydney Choro Club” members. For me it is important to keep developing skills and knowledge towards Australian music industry, so in 2021 I studied a TAFE course Music Business Diploma.
Forall Band.
Because of my experience with all ages, I started supporting the health industry offering music therapy sessions. It’s fulfilling me because healing through music is a way to connect or reconnect people with themselves through sounds, vibrations, rhythms, even noises. The benefits of music therapy are scientifically proven. I’m an instrument of this alternative therapy. I just apply what I have learnt based on previous experiences. Music Therapy requires research, attention and dedication. I’m in love with what I’m doing. As a music teacher my students were from different countries and they were interested in learning Brazilian/Spanish music like Flamenco or Bossa-Nova. Music recognises me every day giving me the opportunity to play, to grow with people who I meet playing, teaching/tutoring and treating.
CHALLENGES
Sydney Chorro Club.
Artistic career - To develop an artistic career is a struggle anywhere you live but in Australia I found professional friends who wanted the same as I wanted: live for playing, to live working with music. It’s been a very hard time during COVID time, but little by little we’ll be back to normal.
Language - The hardest challenge I faced on arrival was and continues to be language. Every day is a new exercise. As I’m married to a native English speaker, I have faced different challenges in terms of language barrier.
COVID-19 - The pandemic was devastating within cultural and educational areas. I’m still struggling to return to the professional establishment as I had before 2020.
CONTRASTS
Opening hours - The show times of live music, or even the trading hours for bars and restaurants is the most uncommon comparison if I look to Spain or even Brazil. In Australia everything starts and finishes earlier than in Brazil or Spain.
Children’s independence - In Australia children are more independent. For example, they go to the beach, school, etc. by themselves and/or in groups. This is different in Brazil – maybe because the different level of safety.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Be prepared - Plan your trip in advance. Be sure of every single detail, but also be open for the adventure.
Follow your dream - Australia is a country that gives opportunities to develop any “dream”. You only need to be aware of what your community/council is demanding or offering. Be in touch with your community and finally never stop growing on your dream.
Be resilient - Keep being positive and understand that you can give up a dream to start another one.
Music Therapy at Day Care.
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
For Douglas, the future is being written through music, as his whole life is. He believes that all the projects he is involved with will keep growing as well as the demand for music therapy. He wants to continue developing a career in this industry. He is planning to study music therapy in the next few years. Above all he wishes to make music with honesty and happiness as he has done so far. He wants to tour with his projects and showcase Latin/Brazilian culture around Australia and New Zealand.