Julio Smarcaro (apprentice II) began work on a performer’s certificate at NIU in fall 2008, where he studies with Fareed Haque. He has been a professional musician and music teacher since 1991. He is an accomplished guitarist and singer in a number of different styles, including jazz, rock, and several Brazilian rhythms, including bossa-nova and samba. His bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music are from the State University of Campinas in Brazil and he has taught for the Orsa Foundation, working with deprived children in Brazil.