Heitor Villa Lobos is regarded as the most important creative force of 20th century Brazilian art. Born in the 19th century and active in the...

Heitor Villa Lobos is regarded as the most important creative force of 20th century Brazilian art. Born in the 19th century and active in the 20th century, his music is reminiscent of both epoques. His enormous catalog numbers over a thousand compositions, comprising an array of styles from traditional experimental. Never receiving any formal training, he was introduced to music by his father who taught him to play the cello and clarinet. Villa Lobos soaked in the musical culture from the soirées his father frequently hosted in their home. As a young man in Rio de Janeiro, Villa Lobos played for silent movies at the Cinema Odeon and later at the Opera Orchestra. When the Ballets Russes traveled to Brazil, he played in the orchestra and was introduced to the iconic music of Stravinsky and Debussy. Jason Solounias has performed across the United States and Europe at venues ranging from Kennedy Center to Southwark Cathedral and has appeared as a soloist with the Trinity Chamber Orchestra and the Pan American Symphony Orchestra. Jason began his studies in his hometown of Havre de Grace, Maryland with Ierene Yeakel and completed his Bachelors of Arts at Stephen University with Scott Beard