The young conductor and composer João Rocha currently serves as the Assistant Conductor to the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (UKSO). He received international prizes in both areas. He was the winner of the "Eleazar de Carvalho's" prize for young soloists and conductors (2012) - the most prestigious Brazilian conductor's competition. As a composer, Rocha received the honor prize in the "Maurice Ravel Composer's Competition" (Bergamo / ITA) for his "Post Mortem", as well as in the "Brazilian Music Panorama" (Rio de Janeiro / BRA) for his "Deliriamentos" - both works for symphony orchestra. João performed with orchestras from the USA, Germany, Italy, and Brazil. He performed as guest conductor in front of groups as the Europäische Akademie für Musik Montepulciano Orchester, CCM Philharmonia and Concert Orchestras, Minas Gerais, and Goias Philharmonic Orchestras, São Paulo's University's Orchestra (OSUSP), among others. Rocha has been under the orientation of conductors as Marin Alsop (USA), Nicolas Pasquet (Germany), Neil Thomson (England), Christopher Zimmerman (USA), and Isaac Karabtchevsky and Fabio Mechetti (Brazil). Currently, João is part of John Nardolillo's studio at the University of Kentucky as a DMA candidate (Orchestral Conducting). Originally from Brazil, João Rocha earns his Master of Music at the College-Conservatory of Music Cincinnati. As a DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Alumni, he studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock and earned a Bachelor of Music at the State Univesity of Campinas (UNICAMP), ranked as the best University of Latin America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KEmuiWIG7k&list=PLvt4i6Ls1mksFGphhs3qVoR4EIucKnlwb