Available to hire
Hi, I’m João Rocha, a conductor, composer, and cultural strategist bridging the worlds of high art and deep tech. I lead with a track record of securing over US$300k in competitive funding and fellowships, and I bring elite artistic standards—from Carnegie Hall to the São Paulo Opera—together with the strategic acumen of a Cannes Lions shortlisted creative director.
I’m committed to shaping the future of music education by integrating orchestral rigor with modern innovation to recruit, mentor, and launch the next generation of musicians. My conducting work spans major Brazilian ensembles and international programs, and I actively build communities around music that resonate beyond the concert hall.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
Portuguese
Fluent
English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
Work Experience
Guest/Conductor (Cover Conductor) at University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra & Opera Theatre
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019Cover conductor; conducted Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) at the Estates Theatre; worked under Timothy Long as main conductor.
Assistant & Cover Conductor at Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Assistant & Cover Conductor; Le Nozze di Figaro (Mozart) at Estates Theatre; collaborated with main conductor and festival artists.
Conductor / Guest Conductor at Universidade de São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSUSP)
November 1, 2022 - PresentRepertoire included Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 'Scottish' in A minor; Gilberto Mendes 'Ponteio'; Copland (Clarinet Concerto); soloist Hercules Gomes; Piano Concerto No. 1 (soloist notated in program).
Conductor at Bahia Symphony Orchestra (OSBA), Brazil
July 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire included Brahms 'Tragic Overture' and Dvořák Symphony No. 6; guest engagements with regional soloists and ensembles.
Conductor at Espírito Santo Symphony Orchestra (OSES), Brazil
May 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire included 'Chorus No. 6', 'Suite for Low Strings', and Rocha 'Symphonietta Cantante'; collaborative programming with local artists.
Conductor at Sorocaba Symphony Orchestra (OSBRA), Brazil
August 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire included Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4; Brahms 'Academic Festival Overture' and related orchestral works.
Conductor at Camarata Antiqua de Curitiba, Brazil
November 1, 2023 - PresentRepertoire included SATOR (new work commissioned) and Bartók 'Diverimento' for Strings, Elgar 'Introduction and Allegro'.
Conductor at Vortex Orchestra (TUCCA International Concert Series), São Paulo
December 1, 2023 - PresentRepertoire included Mendelssohn 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (full version with two sopranos, choir, orchestra, and narrator).
Conductor at OSUSP (University of São Paulo) Symphony Orchestra, Brazil
November 1, 2022 - PresentRepertoire included Mendelssohn Symphony No.3 'Scottish' in A minor; Gilberto Mendes 'Ponteio'; Rocha 'Piano Concerto No.1' with Hercules Gomes as soloist.
Conductor at Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra (repeat entry)
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019Assistant & Cover Conductor; Le Nozze di Figaro and festival program performances.
Conductor – Commission at São Paulo Opera
January 1, 2025 - PresentOpera commission: O Amiral Negro (The Black Admiral) with libretto by Dionne Carlos; premiere scheduled for 2026 season.
Founder & CEO at Studio Kep hra
January 1, 2022 - PresentCreated 'Academia Kep hra,' a platform for high-level conducting training. Recruited students through digital marketing and branding to build a robust educational program for orchestral conducting.
Cover Conductor at University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra & Opera Theatre
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019Cover conductor for the main series; conducted and prepared performances including operatic and orchestral repertoire; collaborated with guest artists and ensembles.
Graduate Assistant at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018Graduate Assistant supporting orchestral conducting curriculum; assisted rehearsals and pedagogy.
Head Instructor at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, Germany
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015Led the Brazilian Music Workshop and Ethnomusicology Seminar; delivered master classes and lectures.
Head Instructor at Conservatório Carlos Gomes (Carlos Gomes Conservatory), Brazil
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014Taught Introduction to Orchestra Conducting; developed curriculum for beginner conductors focusing on gesture and score literacy.
Guest Conductor at Votorz Orchestra (TUCCA International Concert Series), São Paulo
December 1, 2023 - PresentRepertoire: Mendelssohn A Midsummer Night's Dream (full version) with choir, orchestra, and narrator; conducted as part of an international concert series.
Guest Conductor at Universidade de São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSUSP), Brazil
November 1, 2022 - PresentRepertoire: Mendelssohn (Symphony No. 3 ‘Scottish’ in A minor), [composers] Mendelssohn and Rocha; performed with soloists and in collaboration with orchestras.
Guest Conductor at Sorocaba Symphony Orchestra (OSBA), Brazil
August 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire: Brahms ‘Academic Festival Overture’ and Dvořák Symphony No. 6 in D Major, Op. 60.
Conductor at Bahia Symphony Orchestra (OSBA), Brazil
July 1, 2020 - PresentRepertoire included Brahms and Dvořák; conducted contemporary and classic works across symphonic programs.
Conductor at Câmara Antiga de Curitiba, Brazil
November 1, 2023 - PresentRepertoire: Rocha (‘SATOR’ – new work commission), Bartók ‘Diverimento’ for Strings, Elgar ‘Introduction and Allegro’.
Guest Conductor at University of São Paulo Chamber Ensemble (OCAM)
September 1, 2026 - PresentRepertoire highlights and guest conducting for main series concerts; ongoing engagement.
Conductor at Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra (OSPA)
May 1, 2025 - PresentRepertoire includes contemporary commissions and standard orchestral works.
Conductor at Bahia Symphony Orchestra (OSBA)
July 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire includes Brahms, Dvořák, and classical overtures; guest conducting appearances.
Conductor at Espírito Santo Symphony Orchestra (OSES)
May 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire includes Choros, string works, and symphonic performances.
Conductor at Sorocaba Symphony Orchestra
August 1, 2024 - PresentRepertoire includes Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 and classical overtures.
Conductor at Camarata Antiqua de Curitiba
November 1, 2023 - PresentRepertoire includes new works commissioned, Bartók, and Elgar introductions.
Conductor at Vortz Orchestra (TUCCA International Concert Series), São Paulo
December 1, 2023 - PresentRepertoire includes Mendelssohn, Neponuceno, and Copland works; commissioned pieces.
Conductor at Universidade de São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSUSP), Brazil
November 1, 2022 - PresentRepertoire includes Mendelssohn Symphony No.3 'Scottish' and Gilberto Mendes pieces; piano concerto performances.
Assistant & Cover Conductor at Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra, Czech Republic
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019Assistant & cover conductor for Le nozze di Figaro at Estates Theatre; collaboration with main conductor Timothy Long.
Education
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Orchestral Conducting at University of Kentucky
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Master of Music (MM) in Orchestral Conducting at University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Advanced Studies in Orchestral Conducting at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, Germany
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Bachelor of Music in Conducting at UNICAMP (Universidade Estadual de Campinas), Brazil
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Orchestral Conducting (ABD) at University of Kentucky
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Master of Music (MM) in Orchestral Conducting at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Advanced Studies in Orchestral Conducting at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Bachelor of Music in Conducting at Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Orchestral Conducting at University of Kentucky
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Master of Music (MM) in Orchestral Conducting at University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018Advanced Studies in Orchestral Conducting at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, Germany
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Bachelor of Music in Conducting at Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Qualifications
DAAD Fellowship (German Academic Exchange Service)
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Prata da Casa – Outstanding Student Award
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026DAAD Fellowship (Hochschule Rostock)
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Prata da Casa Outstanding Student Award (UNICAMP)
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Honorable Mention, I Panorama Brazilian Music Composition Competition (UFRJ)
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Finalist, Smokey Mountains International Conducting Competition
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Winner, Eleazar de Carvalho Competition for Young Soloists and Conductors
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Santos Afro-Sinfonico Grant (Music Category)
January 1, 2024 - January 13, 2026Finalist, Smokey Mountains International Conducting Competition
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019Winner, Eleazar de Carvalho International Conducting Competition
January 1, 2012 - January 13, 2026Prata da Casa Award (Academic Excellence), UNICAMP
January 1, 2011 - January 13, 2026Honorable Mention, Panorama of Brazilian Music Composition Competition, UFRJ
January 1, 2014 - January 13, 2026Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Software & Internet
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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