TEACHING & MENTORSHIP

Composition, arrangement, orchestration, Brazilian music, improvisation, creative process, and contemporary musical practices explored through mentorship, workshops, courses, and real-world artistic experience.

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima in his home studio surrounded by orchestral scores, piano, recording equipment, and music production tools

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima’s teaching activities bring together experiences developed through university education, artistic production, large ensemble projects, orchestral collaborations, recording sessions, and long-term creative practice.

Through private mentorship, workshops, courses, and educational collaborations, he works with musicians interested in developing their artistic voice, technical skills, creative process, and professional practice.

AREAS OF STUDY

Topics frequently explored include:

Composition
Arrangement
Orchestration
Jazz Composition
Brazilian Music
Harmony & Improvisation
Music Theory & Analysis
Creative Process
Artistic Development
Large Ensemble Writing
Jazz Orchestra & Big Band Practices
Conducting & Music Direction
Ensemble Rehearsal Practices
Collaborative Musical Production
Recording Production for Musicians
Contemporary Musical Languages

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima conducting the Gene Harris Festival Jazz Symphonic Orchestra at Boise State University

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

UNIVERSITY & INSTITUTIONAL TEACHING

2011-2016 - Frost School of Music, University of Miami

Teaching Assistant in jazz composition, arranging, recording technology, Recording Ensemble, and Latin large ensemble practices.

During this period, I assisted classes connected to jazz composition, orchestration, recording practices, and large ensemble writing. I also taught classes related to Brazilian music and Latin jazz ensemble practices and developed seminars and educational activities connected to Brazilian music traditions and contemporary large ensemble writing.

2014-2015 - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Miami)

Educational advisor for middle and high school teachers preparing students for the Fairchild music composition competition.

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima presenting a lecture for music educators during an educational workshop in Miami

2013-2014 - Collaborative Composition Initiative (CCI Award)

Coaching and mentorship for award-winning middle and high school composition students in Miami.

2008 - Brazilian Jazz Ensemble Teaching Assistant - UNICAMP

Assistant activities connected to Brazilian ensemble practices and jazz performance.

2006-2007 - Saxophone Teaching Assistant - UNICAMP

Instrumental teaching assistance connected to saxophone studies and music education activities.

PRIVATE MENTORSHIP & ONLINE EDUCATION

2020-present - Online Courses, Educational Platforms & Mentorship

Since 2020, I have developed online educational materials, recorded courses, mentorship programs, artistic essays, and long-term educational projects connected to composition, arrangement, Brazilian music, improvisation, orchestral collaboration, and creative process. These activities serve musicians working across contemporary musical practices in both educational and professional contexts.

2008-present - Private Lessons & Artistic Mentorship

Private mentorship activities involving composition, arrangement, orchestration, improvisation, creative process, Brazilian music, ensemble practices, and artistic development for students and professional musicians in Brazil, the United States, and online environments.

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima teaching an online creative process course during a live Zoom session with music students, scores, and educational materials in his studio

WORKSHOPS, MASTERCLASSES & GUEST TEACHING

I occasionally teach workshops, guest lectures, masterclasses, and educational residencies connected to composition, arrangement, orchestration, Brazilian music, large ensemble practices, and creative process.

Selected activities include:

Big Band Composition & Arrangement Workshop - SESC São Paulo
Big Band Workshop - UNICAMP
Jazz Ensemble Workshop - Gene Harris Jazz Festival (Boise, Idaho)
Educational activities connected to Brazilian music, orchestral collaboration, and contemporary ensemble practices in Brazil and the United States

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima teaching a composition and large ensemble workshop within the Danilo Pérez educational ecosystem in Panama.

AWARDS & EDUCATIONAL RECOGNITION

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima with the Frost Salsa Orchestra at the University of Miami during his work as assistant conductor

As a Teaching Assistant and ensemble conductor at the Frost School of Music - University of Miami, I helped lead ensembles that received multiple Graduate DownBeat Awards, including:

Latin Ensemble (2013)
Classical Ensemble (2013)
Latin Ensemble (2015)
Latin Ensemble (2016)

These activities involved rehearsal preparation, ensemble coaching, conducting assistance, orchestral preparation, recording sessions, and collaborative educational work connected to large ensemble performance practices.

Rafael Piccolotto de Lima with composer and mentor Gary Lindsay at the Frost School of Music graduation ceremony

WHO I WORK WITH

My mentorship activities have included work with:

Composers
Arrangers
Improvisers
Instrumentalists
Conductors
Educators
University students
Graduate students
Independent artists
Professional musicians seeking artistic development

While many students come from jazz, Brazilian music, and concert music backgrounds, the principles discussed throughout lessons and mentorship programs often extend across a wide range of musical practices and creative disciplines.