Paulo Oliveira

Dr. Paulo Oliveira is a Brazilian-born guitarist, composer, and educator whose work bridges Brazilian traditions, classical, jazz, and contemporary guitar. He is the Coordinator of Guitar Studies at Belmont University in Nashville, where he guides a large and diverse cohort of guitar majors through applied study, improvisation, ensemble performance, and career-minded topics in music business. Oliveira’s teaching emphasizes musicianship, deep knowledge of the instrument, stylistic versatility, and professional readiness—connecting academic study to real-world experiences.

Oliveira earned his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Colorado Boulder, following degrees from the University of Missouri and Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, with earlier training at the Escola Municipal de Música de São Paulo. He is a prizewinner at competitions including the Villa-Lobos Conservatory and the Emerging Artists/Ekstrand Competitions, and he has appeared at renowned festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival (USA) and the Campos do Jordão Winter Festival (Brazil).

As a performer and collaborator, Oliveira has worked with leading artists across genres, such as Christian McBride, Randy Brecker, Chester Thompson, Jeff Coffin, John Clayton, Sean Jones, and Mike Mainieri. He has three books published and his artistry and pedagogy have been featured in Fingerstyle Guitar Journal, including some of his original arrangements.

His recent projects include recording and cross-border collaborations linking Nashville and São Paulo, reflecting his commitment to international exchange and to showcasing Brazilian music within contemporary settings. His latest EP was released in 2025 and can be found HERE.