Ricardo Bona

Ricardo is an accordionist, music teacher, composer, and a graduate of the University of Sao Paulo (USP). Ricardo completed his thesis at USP under the guidance of Ivan Vilela on the subject 'The Brazilian oral teaching tradition of accordion.' He also studied at the AWM Conservatory with Alvaro Couto, and the Sao Paulo State Music School with Guilherme Ribeiro and Josue dos Santos.

Ricardo has taken classes with renowned artists such as Oswaldinho do Acordeon, Toninho Ferragutti and Chico Chagas.

In 2004 some friends from Ricardo's neighborhood decided to start a forro band, yet no one could play the accordion. It was here that Ricardo met his ultimate challenge! Using an accordion he borrowed from a nun, Ricardo began his journey on what would become the passion of his life.

Ricardo devote his life solely to music. He has studied about and played a wide range of musical styles, including choro, forro, musica caipira, sertanejo, classical music, jazz, tango and regional folk music.

He has also played with many recognized artists in Brazil, among the most famous including: Rastape Band, Kanavia, and Fabio de Mello.

Ricardo arrived in Australia in August 2017 and has been building his career playing choro, jazz, tango and Brazilian popular music. He attended the Woodford festival in 2017, as well as other festivals in Sydney and Canberra. Recently he was invited to represent Brazilian music at the international accordion festival in Sydney.