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Dr. João Figueirôa, guitar
Dr. João Figueirôa is a Brazilian-born classical guitarist, educator, and arts leader based in the Washington, DC area. He serves as Executive Director of Marlow Guitar International (MGI), where he has guided the organization through a period of substantial artistic, educational, and institutional growth. Under his leadership, MGI has doubled its operating budget, strengthened its governance and fundraising infrastructure, expanded its education and community outreach initiatives, and launched new earned and contributed revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability.
At MGI, Dr. Figueirôa oversees the John E. Marlow Guitar Series, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious classical guitar concert series in the Washington, DC region. The series features internationally acclaimed artists, GRAMMY Award winners, and legendary figures of the classical guitar world, and is distinguished by its integration of performance, education, and audience engagement through pre-concert lectures, masterclasses, and community events.
In addition to his administrative leadership, Dr. Figueirôa is an active performer and dedicated educator. He has been teaching for over twenty years and is on the faculty of The Catholic University of America (CUA), where he instructs undergraduate and graduate guitar students. He has held faculty positions at major universities and has performed and served as an adjudicator at leading guitar festivals and competitions in both Brazil and the United States. Teaching at the highest level is one of his central passions, and his students have earned awards at numerous national competitions and have been accepted into distinguished music programs and conservatories, including Florida State University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, Columbus State University, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, and the Peabody Conservatory. In addition to his university teaching, he has mentored students across a wide age range, from elementary school through master's-level study.
Dr. Figueirôa's work bridges artistic excellence and cultural leadership. His performances and educational initiatives foster meaningful connections between artists, students, and audiences. Alongside his artistic career, he brings deep expertise in nonprofit management, fundraising, and strategic communications, regularly collaborating with boards, donors, and public agencies to advance access to high-quality music education and performance. He remains an active presence in the international guitar community as a performer, mentor, and advocate for the arts.
Dr. Figueirôa holds both a Doctor of Music and a Master of Music from Florida State University, where he studied under the renowned pedagogue Bruce Holzman. In Brazil, he studied with Mario Ulloa.