There are 23 students enrolled in a course entitled Azorean Strings, in which they will be taught various stringed instruments, especially the 15-string regional viola from Terceira. The course will run for 10 weeks, starting Tuesday, February 27, at the grounds of the TDES Portuguese Hall, every Tuesday at 6 PM.
The Azorean strings course is the result of a project discussed with the regional director of communities, José Andrade, when he visited California in June 2023, resulting in the gift of a regional 15-string guitar from Terceira island to the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at California State University, Fresno.
With the initiative of the talented young Azorean descendant Michael Vieira and with the help of other players from the community in the Tulare area (Angra’s sister city), the conditions were created, with the support of Mark Nunes, president of the TDES brotherhood and his entire team, for this 10-week course, which will end in the first days of May this year.
For Diniz Borges, director of PBBI-Fresno State, it is essential to get two or three more violas from Terceira to continue these courses that help perpetuate Azorean culture across borders, mainly as most students are second and third-generation.
Michael Vieira is the son of parents from Terceira and has been involved in the community from an early age. He has a degree from California State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. He has been part of folklore groups, Terceira Carnaval danças, plays for cantorias in California, and other music-related activities. Recently, and with another excellent Azorean musician, David Santos, they performed a concert with two of the Terceira Style 15-sting guitars at the California State University Fresno, which was a resounding success.