For sponsorship opportunities or any other issues related to Brazilian Week, email Bill Martinez or Carola Murphy.

Brazilian Week Organizing Committee

Katia Bezerra is originally from Rio de Janeiro. She earned her PhD in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Literature and Linguistics from the University of Minnesota and has been a Portuguese Professor at the University of Arizona since 2002. She received the Distinguished Teaching Award from the College of Humanities in 2004. She has published essays on Contemporary Portuguese as well as Brazilian and Lusophone African literature. Her theoretical approaches include questions on gender, sexuality, nationhood, memory and race. She's been actively involved in the Brazilian Week by working with her students in the organization of the Brazilian Showcase and the Arts and Crafts Exhibit.

Rose Eisele – Is originally from Belem-Para, but she grew up in the state of Sao Paulo. She has been living in Tucson since 1985. She’s been an active member of the Brazilian Community since 1989. She works in the healthcare field in a local hospital, and at a local Nursing Facility. As a member of the Brazilian Community, she’s been involved in the organization and coordination of several events. In the past, she helped the Brazilian Club in the organization and coordination for the “Tucson Meet Yourself” event. Rose will be assisting the Tucson Brazilian Week Committee in the coordination and organization of present and future events.

Amélia Finan is from São Paulo, Brazil. She's been living in Tucson since 1974. She is the point of contact for the Brazilian community; she has participated in the organization of several events for the community. Amélia is preparing some authentic Brazilian dishes to be offered by Fiorito's during the Tucson Brazilian Week.

Sandra Klinger is originally from São Paulo, Brazil. She has been living in the US since 1988. She's been an active member of the Brazilian community since 1995, when she moved from New York to Tucson. She currently works at a local non-profit community-based organization. She taught Portuguese at Pima Community College and she has also worked as a Portuguese Court Interpreter. As a member of the Brazilian community, she's been involved in the coordination of the Brazilian community website, bi-monthly Brazilian luncheon, and other Brazilian-related events. Sandra will be assisting the Brazilian Week committee during the event and in the planning of future events.

Linus Lerner is a native of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He has a vast experience conducting orchestras, choirs and instrumental groups at home, in the US, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Spain. He was an assistant conductor of the University of Arizona Symphony Orchestra where he led performances of several operas while assisting in other productions. He is a doctoral candidate in orchestra conducting at the U of A. He has served three times as guest conductor for the Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra in Brazil. He was was the artistic and executive director of Reveille Tucson Men’s Chorus from 2003-2009. Under his direction, the chorus has recorded three CDs and performed numerous concerts in Arizona and New Mexico, as well as on tours in Mexico, Brazil and Canada.  

Bill Martinez is a native Tucsonan who started playing music in grade school all the way through high school. He started training himself, 22 years ago in the rhythms of Brazilian music and percussion. He was the co-founder of Sounds of Brazil, the main Brazilian band in Tucson from 1992 to 1997. He also was instrumental in continuing the Brazilian tradition of celebrating Carnaval in Tucson. In addition, Bill played with Brazil and Co and was the co-founder and Co-Director of Batucaxé, a Brazilian based percussion ensemble. Bill, along with Carola Murphy and Roberto Guariglia, conceptualized the Brazilian Week. He's currently a member of Sambalanço, a local band specializing in Brazilian music. He and Carola are involved in the production of several musical pieces for the Brazilian Week.

Carolina Murphy is a native of Lima, Peru. She's been playing music since she was 5. In Lima she studied at the prestigious National Conservatory of Music and was a member of 3 different bands. "Carola" also played while attending college in Pennsylvania. As a Brazilian descendant, she grew up listening to chorinhos and a particular type that her grandmother called “tanguinho fuladinho.” Every festivity in her house was always celebrated with music of both countries, Peru and Brazil, since it's part of her heritage. She is now a professor of languages at Pima College, but her love for music has never stopped. She sings and plays the keyboard, the guitar and several other instruments. Along with Bill Martinez and Roberto Guariglia, she conceived the Brazilian Week and has been actively involved in the organization of the event. She's also a member of Sambalanço.

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