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Bio

João Tostes (Barbacena, Minas Gerais, July 9, 1983) is a Brazilian musician, ukulelist, composer, arranger, writer, music educator, researcher, and cultural curator. He is recognized as the pioneer who brought the ukulele to unprecedented visibility in Brazil, with extensive experience in various cultural and musical settings.

Tostes combines technical virtuosity, artistic excellence, pedagogical innovation, and social impact in a unique trajectory. Creator of the Toca Ukulele platform — a free educational resource with over 133,000 subscribers and 8 million views on YouTube — he is one of the main figures promoting the ukulele as a solo, pedagogical, and expressive artistic instrument in the country.

His work encompasses music, education, inclusion, curation, research, and active participation in public cultural policies. From workshops in underserved schools to research published by the University of Milan, and from historic stages in Brazil, Europe, Asia, and North America, his international presence has taken the Brazilian ukulele to four continents.

“João Tostes has been dedicated to teaching and promoting instrumental ukulele, becoming a reference in Brazil and around the world.” – Nelson Faria

Musical Education and Research

Graduated in Popular Guitar from Bituca – University of Popular Music, Tostes studied with masters Gilvan de Oliveira and Ian Guest. In 2018, he became a Certified Teacher through the James Hill Ukulele Institute (JHUI) in Canada, where he was a student of James Hill. This solid technical and humanistic foundation shapes his work as an educator, guided by his original pedagogical framework known as the TEPE Method of Music Education.

The TEPE Method was presented at the Ukulele International Conference (Italy, 2023) and published in 2025 by the University of Milan as an original contribution to contemporary music education.

“What a beautiful solo. You didn’t use any flashy tricks, but rather an incredible sensitivity — the kind only someone with refined musicality can achieve. I was moved by your sound. Thank you for that.” – Ian Guest

Music Education and Innovation

João founded the Universidade Toca Ukulele (UTU), which offers online courses for beginners and advanced students, and the ProUke, a training program for music educators specializing in ukulele pedagogy. His students come from Brazil and various other countries. He also directs FOLTU – Festival Online Toca Ukulele, created during the pandemic as a space for free artistic expression and learning for all.

In addition to virtual classroom initiatives, João created the Orquestra Toca Ukulele (OTU), made up of UTU students from all regions of Brazil and abroad. The OTU is a practical and emotional extension of the university's educational process, bringing together students aged 7 to 87 for remote ensemble performances with original arrangements and artistic direction by Tostes. The orchestra has participated in national and international events, including the Ukulele Festival Hawaii (2021), representing Brazil in the world’s oldest ukulele festival.

One of his most symbolic initiatives is the Noite de Solos da UTU, in which students of all ages and cities record solo pieces to celebrate their musical journey. João is responsible for the curation and video editing, offering individual recognition to each student.

“I had to sit and really listen. Your music feels like a mantra — it made me pause, reflect on life, and remember the power of a song that lifts us up.” – Mozart Mello

Social Projects and Inclusion

João Tostes also plays an active role in developing projects focused on social inclusion through music. In 2024, he founded the Orquestra Multicor, which promotes representation for LGBTQIAPN+ people, Black and Indigenous communities, minorities, and vulnerable populations. The initiative seeks to transform the ukulele into a tool for active listening, citizenship, and cultural affirmation.

He is also the founder and director of FEMUKE – Festival de Música e Ukulele de Barbacena, held in his hometown with free workshops in public schools, discussion circles, performances in public squares, and the promotion of local artists. The festival embodies his commitment to democratizing access to culture.

Furthermore, he has extensive experience curating programs in urban peripheries, public education, youth engagement, and integrating the arts with public policy. He has worked on grant programs, workshops, and cultural initiatives throughout Brazil.

Festivals and Cultural Initiatives

Since 2017, João Tostes has been the founder and director of the Brazilian Ukulele Festival, considered the largest of its kind in the country. The event is mentioned in the international book Global Ukulele – Past, Present and Practice (2019) as the main ukulele gathering in Brazil. The 5th edition was supported by the City of Niterói.

The Brazilian Ukulele Festival originated from the first two editions of the National Ukulele Meeting, organized by João Tostes at the University of São Paulo (USP) in 2017 and 2018. These events were pioneering in bringing together educators, musicians, and ukulele enthusiasts from various states.

Tostes is also the founder of FEMUKE, mentioned earlier.

João has served as curator, grant reviewer, and juror for cultural programs since 2017. In 2020, he served as a reviewer for the Aldir Blanc Law in Barbacena. He has participated in music festival juries, funding programs, and public calls focused on youth, peripheral culture, and diversity.

Research, Production and Academic Recognition

Tostes presented original research on collective ukulele education at the Second Ukulele International Conference (2023), held in Alessandria, Italy. The work, based on his TEPE methodology, was published in the conference proceedings by the University of Milan and marked the first original Latin American contribution on ukulele pedagogy at UIC.
→ Visit event website
→ Download Program & Abstracts – PDF

João Tostes’s work has been cited in academic research in the fields of music, education, and culture. Below are some published references:

  • Brazilian Association for Music Education (ABEM)
    The article discusses ukulele education in formal and informal contexts, citing João Tostes as a practical and methodological reference.
    → Download PDF
  • IV International Conference on Music Education (CIEMS) – Federal University of Ceará (UFC)
    The article "Teaching Music with Ukulele: Diverse Possibilities for Teenagers and Youth" discusses educational experiences based on Tostes’s content and highlights him as a key figure in spreading the instrument in Brazil.
    → Official website
    → CIEMS Proceedings – PDF
  • Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL)
    The undergraduate thesis "Collective Ukulele Teaching: For 2nd Year Students of Elementary School at Maple Bear – AL" by Bruno Araújo Silva describes João Tostes as “one of the leading promoters of the ukulele in Brazil,” citing his organization of the National Ukulele Meeting at USP.
    → Access repository
  • He was interviewed and cited in the final undergraduate thesis by Marlon Luan Marques Teodoro (Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG, 2023), titled "The Use of the Soprano and Concert Ukulele as a Musical Education Tool". The work analyzes Tostes's artistic and educational career and includes a long interview.
    → Access thesis – local link

Solo, Duo, and Trio Performances

João Tostes maintains an active career as a soloist, in addition to duo and trio performances. His presentations always combine original compositions, reinterpretations of Brazilian music, and original arrangements for solo ukulele. His repertoire traverses choro, bossa nova, maxixe, world music, and contemporary instrumental compositions.

He has performed at venues such as the Theatro Municipal de Niterói, Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Olivier Toni Auditorium (USP), Astra Theater (Vicenza, Italy), Palazzo Rasini (Cavenago di Brianza, Italy), Sindorim Opera House and Guro Arts Valley (both in South Korea), and Mozza Lounge (Canada).

In 2015, he founded Toca Ukulele, a project dedicated to sharing musical and ukulele knowledge with Portuguese speakers. The project has expanded and today includes several branches, such as Universidade Toca Ukulele and ProUke.

In 2016, he gave a workshop on ukulele techniques during the 39th Aleijadinho Week, an event organized by the State Department of Culture of Minas Gerais in Ouro Preto (MG).

That same year, he served for the first time as a juror at the 3rd Free Popular Music Festival by Instituto Curupira (Barbacena, MG).

Still in 2016, he participated in a duo with Diogo Fernandes on bass in the TV show "Concertos Didáticos," recorded by TV UFOP and broadcast in 2017 by Canal Futura. The performance was recorded at Capela do Padre Faria, in Ouro Preto (MG).

In 2017, he formed the João Tostes Trio with Felipe Moreira (piano) and Diogo Fernandes (bass), debuting at the opening of the 4th Free Popular Music Festival by Instituto Curupira. With the trio, he released his first single and music video for the song Maria Madalena.

Also in 2017, he made his first international trip to Canada, beginning his studies at the JHUI – James Hill Ukulele Institute. On that occasion, he performed for an audience of educators at Mozza Lounge (Vancouver).

A few weeks later, he traveled to the Czech Republic with Diogo Fernandes to perform at the 5th Czech Ukulele Festival, where he held two concerts (in Únětice and Poděbrady) and a workshop on Brazilian music.

In 2018, João released naturæ, the first instrumental ukulele album in the history of Brazilian music. The album is entirely dedicated to the instrument, featuring original compositions and arrangements, and marked a turning point in the recognition of the ukulele as a solo instrument in the country. The album includes songs by João Tostes and collaborations with Felipe Moreira and Diogo Fernandes. The work was highlighted by Brazilian media such as Correio Braziliense, as well as in the international publication Global Ukulele – Past, Present and Practice.

The sheet music and tablature were published the following month in a songbook, with versions in Portuguese and English.

In July 2018, the trio performed during the activities of the Aquila Ukulele Festival (Vicenza, Italy), in addition to giving a workshop on Brazilian music.

The following month, João Tostes performed solo in South Korea in two separate concerts at the Sindorim Opera House (신도림오페라하우스) and the Guro Arts Valley Theater (구로아트밸리예술극장), as part of the 13th Annual Seoul International Ukulele Festival.

In October 2018, the album naturæ was reviewed on the Italian radio show Intorno all'Ukulele, hosted by Davide Donelli, dedicated to showcasing ukulele artists and repertoires.

In 2019, he continued performing across various cities in Minas Gerais, such as Entre Rios de Minas and Maria da Fé, and appeared on several radio programs.

In 2020, he published his second book, Dictionary of Essential Ukulele Chords.

That same year, he participated in Ukuleleada Latina, performing as an artist in an initiative led by Argentine producers and musicians with support from Enya Music and Bamboo Music, featuring Latin American ukulele artists.

In April 2020, he launched the first edition of the Online Ukulele Festival – FOLTU, providing performance opportunities for more than 20 Brazilian artists.

In July 2020, he obtained Level 2 Ukulele Teacher certification from the JHUI – James Hill Ukulele Initiative (Canada). In the same month, he participated in the event organized by Playing for Change, known as Ukefans – Encuentro Virtual de Uke, connecting artists across Latin America.

In July 2021, he took part in the world’s oldest ukulele festival, the Annual Ukulele Festival in Hawaii, as a solo artist representing Brazil and Latin America. He also performed as conductor of the Orquestra Toca Ukulele, composed of students from Brazil and other countries. With the orchestra, they performed “Asa Branca” by Luiz Gonzaga and Humberto Teixeira, and “Para Lennon e McCartney” by Márcio and Lô Borges and Fernando Brant.

In 2023, he made his academic debut with the publication of the paper The Organization, Methodology, Challenges and Outcomes of an Online Ukulele Orchestra with Participants Aged 7 to 87 Years Old at the Second Ukulele International Conference (UIC 2023), at the Conservatorio di Musica “Antonio Vivaldi” (Alessandria, Italy). He was the only representative from Brazil and Latin America to present in person. The paper describes his work with the online orchestra (Orquestra Toca Ukulele) and details the TEPE Music Education Method, developed by Tostes. The article was later published by the University of Milan (2025).

Also in Italy, he headlined the 2nd Intorno all’Ukulele Meeting and performed the event’s closing concert at the Palazzo Rasini (Cavenago di Brianza, Italy). The concert recording resulted in the EP Live at Palazzo Rasini, released in February 2024.

He also performed at the Quintas Categoria event, part of the exhibition “As mãos da Obra – The Workers of IPHAN and the City of Tiradentes,” held at the IPHAN headquarters (Tiradentes, MG).

In September 2024, he performed at the Theatro Municipal de Niterói alongside Vinícius Vivas in a duo concert with special guest Leandro Donato. The performance led to the album Ukulele Harmonies Live in Niterói. During the same period, he also performed at the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB) as part of the XIX Rio Harp Festival, in a special appearance with the UFRJ Ukulele Orchestra, led by Vinícius Vivas. These concerts were featured in media outlets such as O Dia, Vertentes das Gerais, Barbacena Online, and Jornal do Brasil.

Also in 2024, he performed at the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) in Tiradentes (MG), as part of the official opening of an exhibition. [Read 1="article" ]

Later in 2024, he founded the Orquestra Multicor, aiming to promote social inclusion and diversity through music, using the ukulele and its variations as primary instruments of social transformation.

In March 2025, he launched the first edition of FEMUKE – I Festival de Música e Ukulele de Barbacena, featuring Carol Tostes, Felipe Velho, and Luana Mascari.

In addition, he is currently on tour with the show Ventos Brasilis, in which he explores the sounds and rhythms of Brazil through intimate arrangements and improvisations.

International Career

Tostes has performed in several countries and international festivals, including:

 

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

Critical Acclaim and Recognition

“Musical Souls — a charming album with immediate empathy.” – Aquiles Reis (MPB4, about Ukulele Harmonies)

The album Ukulele Harmonies Live in Niterói received praise from publications such as Correio Braziliense, Jornal do Brasil, and Correio da Manhã. Its sound was described as “charming” and “surprising” by various Brazilian critics and musicians.

Tostes was also mentioned in the book Global Ukulele as a Brazilian expert, highlighting his educational work and the founding of the Brazilian Ukulele Festival.

Published Works

Tostes is the author of publications on ukulele pedagogy and musician training:

Achievements and Recognition

"João Tostes, from Minas, has promoted the ukulele with a Brazilian accent and language." – Renato Rabe, in an interview for Rádio MEC / EBC (2025)

  • First Brazilian ukulelist to perform on national open television – Canal Futura (2017)
  • First instrumental ukulele album released in Brazil (naturæ, 2018)
  • First Latin American to present academic research at the Ukulele International Conference (2023)
  • International certification from the JHUI (Canada)
  • Founder and director of three national ukulele festivals: FBU, FEMUKE, and FOLTU
  • Conductor of the Toca Ukulele and Multicor orchestras
  • Music festival juror since 2017
  • Cultural grant reviewer, including for the Aldir Blanc Law (2020)
  • Associated with renowned brands such as Ohana (USA), Aquila (Italy), and Hannabach (Germany)
  • Listed among the "51 best ukulele players in the world" by Uke Like The Pros (2020)

Official Networks and Platforms

More than a musician, João Tostes is a cultural connector, an engaged educator, and a restless artist. Between stages and classrooms, solos and ensembles, sheet music and public policy, he creates spaces where the ukulele is not just sound — it is gesture, it is bridge, it is transformation.

As he often says: “The ukulele is not small. It’s immense. It’s Brazil in sonic form.”

João Tostes | Toca Ukulele | ProUke | Loja Ukulele Brasil