Reared among the three cultures of Brazil, Mexico and the U.S., Poranguí was steeped in various traditional forms of music, healing and ceremony since birth. Drawing from his cross-cultural background and ethnomusicology training at Duke University, Poranguí has over twelve years of international work experience as an artist, educator, filmmaker, consultant and therapist, utilizing the healing properties of sound and movement to foster our individual and collective well being.
As an experienced teacher, Poranguí has had the privilege of working with marginalized youth in both Brazil and the U.S. -- using the arts to build resiliency and community. Recently selected by the Arizona Commission of the Arts for inclusion on the Arizona Teaching artist Roster, Poranguí teaches in both school & community settings as faculty for the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. Poranguí has also worked as a Prevention Specialist for Scottsdale Prevention Institute, developed curriculum and grant writing for Southwestern Behavioral Health Agency and worked with Value Options as a consultant on the Prevention Framework for Arizona. He has extensive experience teaching workshops and facilitating retreats on the use of the arts, sound healing and movement modalities. In March 2009, Poranguí presented at the Across the Threshold Conference at Duke University and in late July in Mexico City for the Congresso Internacional de Americanistas where his research was subsequently published. In 2010, he has been invited to return a 2nd time to present at Duke on healing & the arts.
As an accomplished musician, Poranguí is proficient in world percussion, guitar, voice and a variety of indigenous instruments (didgeridoo, Native American flute, among many others). He recently released a world music EP album from his duo project, Poranguí & Zang, following an extensive Northwest Coast tour last fall. He has been featured on albums in styles as diverse as flamenco to latin jazz, and his musical compositions have been used in independent theatrical and film productions. Poranguí has performed and traveled with numerous renowned artists worldwide from touring Europe and recording with the BBC in London at the Jazz Café to sharing the stage with such sonic pioneers as Bobby McFerrin & DJ Spooky. His sonic diversity also includes many interactive and theatrical projects including his recent musical performance in the world premiere of the musical, Esther.
As a filmmaker, Poranguí received the John Hope Franklin Student Documentary Award and a Fine Arts Award during his term at Duke University, which he used to film and produce a cross-cultural documentary exploring the integrative art of Capoeira in the context of globalization and its applications as a tool for empowerment & health. Currently he is completing a documentary film for Princeton University on the largest and oldest Afoxé, Filhos de Gandhy titled Sounds of Wisdom Amidst the Cacophony of Carnaval.
In 2005, Poranguí launched a web-based creative firm – solcreation.com -- that specializes in new media design and consulting promoting interdisciplinary collaborations while integrating art and technology to generate social change.
Currently, Poranguí maintains a busy performance and workshop schedule while teaching and consulting throughout the US and Brazil. He serves as faculty for the Global Medicine Education Foundation and The Phoenix Conservatory of Music, where he teaches bodywork, expressive arts therapy and music. In addition to his world music duo, he fulfills his creative vision as founder and musical director of Grupo Liberdade - a performance drum & dance ensemble that promotes community through the arts and Sagrado - a musical project that weaves together the sounds of numerous world traditions to invoke the sacred & celebrate life.
