Humberto’s musical journey began in Brazil with a piano and a lot of curiosity. At just seven or eight years old, he was already mimicking his neighbors’ lessons so well that their father noticed he was playing better than the kids who were actually enrolled. His own formal instruction began soon after, and he’s been immersed in music ever since.
Over the years, Humberto’s path has taken him across the globe. He studied at a university in Brazil, won national awards, and performed with major orchestras. He then spent time in Germany and eventually found himself in Chicago, where he fell in love with the city. After earning his doctorate in piano performance in California, he moved to New Zealand, where he helped grow a small music school into a multi-branch institution. Today, he’s back in the U.S. and is bringing many years of experience to his students.
Teaching started out as a way to support his performance career, but Humberto quickly discovered a deeper connection to it. “It became serious for me in New Zealand,” he explains, “especially working with the Chinese community and their advanced students. That’s when I started to truly love it.”
His lessons today reflect that same passion. He encourages students to listen widely, explore different interpretations, and connect with music on an emotional level. Whether it’s explaining how an orchestral piece is built or playing a recording through a speaker, Humberto goes the extra mile to help students understand the story behind the notes.
For those who struggle to find motivation or claim they’re “not musical,” Humberto reiterates that, “like anything else, music takes practice and discipline.” He’s quick to remind students that learning music should be fun, but also that it requires commitment. “If you don’t work at it, it’s not going to fall from the sky.”
In the lesson room, Humberto keeps things fresh and interactive. He uses rhythm games, animal associations, clapping exercises, and lots of drawing to help students connect with the fundamentals. “Some kids don’t practice much,” he says, “so we adapt. We get creative.”
Inspiration, for Humberto, comes from listening. He has an enormous collection of LPs and CDs and prefers the tactile experience of putting on a record and sitting with the music. He treats music as both profession and hobby, constantly reading, listening, and staying curious. “Streaming is fine,” he says, “but there’s something about holding the music in your hands.”
His favorite composer? Schumann. “There’s so much freedom in his music, the lack of strict form, the melodic lines, the way he plays with rhythm. It’s inspiring.”
One of Humberto’s proudest moments came at age 17, standing in front of a 2,000-person audience and performing a concerto. “I was incredibly nervous,” he recalls, “but getting through it felt like the most rewarding experience of my life.”
Today, Humberto brings that same courage and dedication to every lesson he teaches. With his global background, deep knowledge, and honest approach, he’s helping students see music not just as notes on a page, but as something meaningful, expressive, and worth working for.