eighties
• I apprenticed with the Grácio family in the construction of string instruments, spending time in their construction and repair workshop in Lisbon.
• In collaboration with the Museu Nacional de Etnologia (National Museum of Ethnology), I did field work in the remote villages of Trás-os-Montes (Behind-the-Mountains) where I had the chance to witness traditional manifestations of culture on the brink of extinction.
• As a bagpiper with Teatro O Bando, I toured Canada performing at International Children’s Theatre Festivals from Vancouver to Quebec City.

moves to Canada
• In 1985 I moved to Toronto.
• I completed two courses on the construction of string instruments at the Ontario College of Art under the supervision of professor Philip Davis .
• I participated in the exhibit curated by luthier Grit Laskin, Handmade for Music, at the Ontario Science Centre.
• In1989 I taught a course on traditional Portuguese music at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music.

nineties
• I returned to Portugal for a two year period.
• I founded the Grupo de Gaiteiros de Lisboa (Pipers of Lisbon) and worked on a project based on the viola campaniça (ten string traditional guitar).

back to Canada
• Once again in Toronto, I focused on the performance of Portuguese traditional music, leading the band Alvorada (highlight: live concert for CBC radio).
• I facilitated hands-on workshops on the construction of all types of musical instruments and noise-makers in Canada and abroad (Nicaragua and Cuba).
• For ten years, with the support of the Ontario Arts Council, I taught Building Sounds in Toronto and North York schools.

the new millenium
• I mastered the guitarra portuguesa (Portuguese guitar) participating in the local fado scene (highlight: recording with Nelly Furtado).
• My fascination with African lamellophones led me to the beautiful mbira dza vadzimu. I organized a group of local mbira enthusiasts to create the ensemble Rovambira.