Biography

Giovani Estéfano Briguente, a native of Brazil, holds degrees from respected institutions in both Brazil and the United States. From Brazil, degrees in flute performance, orchestral and wind band conducting from the Conservatory of Tatuí along with a degree in flute performance from the Technical School of Arts of the State of São Paulo. From the USA, a Master of Music in wind band conducting from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree with emphasis on wind band conducting from the University of Michigan. Briguente’s conducting mentors during his training include Dario Sotelo, Mark Whitlock, and Michael Haithcock. In 2019, Briguente was selected to conduct the United States Air Force Concert Band in Washington D.C. under the mentorship of Robert Reynolds.

Briguente’s career as a conductor includes work both on and off the podium. As a conductor, Briguente’s knowledge and practical experience consists of work with various college and professional wind ensembles, athletic bands, percussion ensembles, chamber ensembles, string orchestras, symphony orchestras, and choruses. Since 2012, Briguente has also founded and developed several ensembles in both Brazil and the USA. Given Briguente’s dedication to community service and engagement, an important component of all his ensembles has been a focus on reaching and inspiring new audiences and revitalizing those already present.

Briguente is also an accomplished flutist and piccoloist, having performed with professional orchestras, wind bands, jazz bands, and early music ensembles. His time as a professional in the Symphonic Band of the Conservatory of Tatuí (Brazil) is one of the highlights of his performance career.

Over the years, Briguente has extended his musicianship to include composition as well. He is a winner of the 2014 National Composition Contest for Wind Band in Brazil in the professional ensemble category and has composed several works for his students recently, including Of Redemption: A Clarinet Concerto, premiered in 2023 under his baton and with Staff Sgt. Nicholas Thompson from “The President’s Own” Marine Band as soloist.

Briguente is currently the Director of Bands & Orchestras, and Flute Instructor at Presbyterian College, SC.