João Luís is an interdisciplinary artist from Porto, Portugal, based in Helsinki, Finland. He holds a Master’s degree in Global Music from the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki (2023), and brings over a decade of international experience performing, teaching, and collaborating across Europe, Brazil, and Chile. His work bridges music, theatre, and community engagement, emphasizing innovative performance and composition.
As a performer, João specializes in multi-percussion, vibraphone, and electroacoustic setups, integrating traditional and experimental techniques to craft immersive soundscapes. He is the creator of Colectivo Azul, a creative hub, and co-creator of Peixe Fora d’Água, a performance collective that delves into themes of migration, liminality, and belonging.
In the field of education, João has held diverse teaching roles, including leading percussion and orchestral groups with El Sistema Portugal and El Sistema Finland. Recently, he joined the Sibelius Academy as a guest lecturer, where he taught Global Rhythmics at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.
His artistic collaborations include performances with ensembles such as Talvi Sirkus, Danchev:Domain, and the Sápmi band SOLJU. Additionally, João is a featured artist at Globe Art Point and the Global Music Center, as well as a member of the international artist collective Artists with Evidence.
João teaches drums and percussion at ISM Finland in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.
To set up a trial lesson with João, please contact us.
Q&A
Where are you from and what instruments do you play? I’m from Portugal and I play percussion and drums.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing? I would be a pilot or an architect.
Where did you study? In Porto conservatory, at the superior music school in Lisbon and at the University of Évora.
Where are you studying now? Sibelius Academy
What was the thing that got you interested in music? The possibilities of artistic freedom. Also, playing in group, it’s one of the most beautiful sensations I’ve ever experienced. The connections between the players can be out of this world.
Why are you in Finland? For all the three reasons people migrate: love, studies and work.
Who is your favourite musician/composer? This one is really hard, there are so many!! From Copland to Tchaikovsky, Pat Metheny to Brad Mehldau, Amália Rodrigues e Zeca Afonso, Richard Bona, Avishai Cohen…
What has been your most special musical experience to date? Being on stage with an orchestra of 500 young students of Orquestra Geração (Portuguese El Sistema) playing great symphonic pieces.
Do you have any secret/not-so-secret (unmusical) talents? Sketching
Do you have a guilty pleasure? Eating!!!
Tea or coffee? Depends on the season
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Salad or Pizza? Pizza, of course!
What is your favourite country to visit? New Zealand
What is your favourite season? Summer
What is your favourite food? Hot Pot
Do you have hobbies? Sketching and bicycling.