Considered as "an ambassador of Brazilian music” by The Washington Post, Dr. Joao Paulo Figueiroa (DM, MM, Florida State University; BMus, Universidade Federal da Bahia) is recognized today as one of the most influential classical guitar players from Brazil. João Paulo has performed throughout the United States and South America in guitar festivals, master classes, television, radio broadcasts, and with orchestras. His appearances includes performances at the Kennedy Center and Sala do Coro do Teatro.

Castro Alves. An enthusiast of contemporary music, he has premiered new works by composers such as Paulo Costa Lima and Leonardo Boccia.

Dr. Figueiroa has participated in many international guitar competitions, and his awards include first prize at the Fourth Annual Musicalis National Competition in 2000, winner of the 2nd Orquestra Sinfonica da Bahia Young Soloists Competition in 2003, national first prize winner at the Music Teacher’s National Association Collegiate Artist Competition (MTNA) in 2004, and first prize winner at the Columbus State Guitar Symposium in 2007.

In addition to his performing career, Dr. Figueiroa is also in demand as a teacher. From 1998-2002, he was a faculty member at Escola de Música da Universidade Federal da Bahia in Brazil, from 2003-2008, he was a teaching assistant at The Florida State University, and since 2012, he leads the guitar studies at Catholic University of America. He maintains an active private studio at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, where he has worked with students who have distinguished themselves in competitions, music festivals, and have been accepted in top college music programs in the US.

Dr. Figueiroa have developed and implemented community outreach projects in the Washington DC area and in Brazil. From 2010 until 2013, served as a board member for the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association. In 2011, he collaborated with the Brazilian Embassy as a cultural curator for musical events. Since 2014 he serves as the Outreach and Education Coordinator for the International Conservatory of Music where he is responsible for coordinating Master Classes, the Visiting Guitarist in the Schools

Program, assist with the John E. Marlow Guitar Series and the Beatty Competition.

João Paulo plays guitars made by the Brazilian guitar maker Samuel Carvalho.