Dr. Wagner Duarte is a music teacher at Great Hearts Harveston in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. But his lifelong love for music began in the small coastal city of Maceió, located in the northeast region of Brazil, where he was surrounded by music from an early age. “I grew up in a family of musicians,” recalled Duarte. “Both sides of my family were filled with musicians—my uncles, grandpa, and father all played instruments. Music was such a natural part of my upbringing that, as a child, I thought every family must have musicians.”
“Brazil is rich in culture and music, and I was fortunate to experience this throughout my childhood and teenage years,” he shared. initial exposure to guitar and music theory came from his father and uncles, but it was the cello that truly captured his heart. “I decided to pursue the cello by the age of 16. It was the cello that truly ignited my passion for becoming a professional musician.”
After beginning a degree in Music Pedagogy at the Federal University of his home state, he was offered a position as a cellist in the Youth Orchestra of Bahia, where he also performed with the Bahia State Symphony Orchestra. This experience set the stage for his next accomplishment, earning a full scholarship to Nicholls State University, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in cello performance.
Duarte went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Music Theory with a focus on composition at Louisiana State University (LSU), which naturally led to a Doctorate in Music Composition.
“My relationship with classical music education began when I decided to pursue music as a career,” he said. “The music of composers like Bach, Haydn, and Mozart spoke to me deeply. As a cellist, I was especially drawn to Bach’s Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, which fostered a lifelong devotion to classical music.”
Teaching has always been a natural extension of Duarte’s love for music. “From the moment I began taking lessons, I found myself teaching peers who started learning cello after me,” he said. “Teaching has always been a form of deep learning for me, and throughout my career, I’ve continuously taught music in various capacities.”
Duarte’s career with Great Hearts began when he discovered Great Hearts Harveston while online. “I was immediately intrigued by its dedication to classical education,” he explained. “I believe strongly in their mission to instill virtues like Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in students. These are the cornerstones for shaping individuals capable of transforming society for the better.”
Louisiana, where Dr. Duarte has lived since 2011, is also a source of inspiration for him. “Louisiana is rich in culture, from its food and people to its vibrant folk traditions. I especially enjoy driving to New Orleans and experiencing live jazz,” he shared. In addition to his teaching and performing, Duarte remains an active composer, regularly writing music for other musicians to perform.
Duarte believes that the focus on both the academic and performative aspects of music, sets his teaching at Great Hearts apart. “What I love most about teaching music is sharing my passion with students who are eager to learn. I enjoy how their curiosity can lead us to explore musical topics from different perspectives, sparking new discoveries for both teacher and student,” he said. “Exploring the science and syntax behind sound and guiding students toward music literacy is an exciting and rewarding challenge.”
One of Duarte’s compositions will soon be available on every major digital audio streaming platform. For those interested in his creative work, he invites them to visit his website at wagnerduartemusic.com.
Dr. Duarte believes in the transformative power of music. Through his teaching and compositions, he continues to inspire those around him to explore the Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of music in all its forms.
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