Biography
Davi began his musical studies at the age of ten in his home country of Brazil. He attended the Escola de Música Heitor-Villa Lobos in Americana (São Paulo), where he took drum set lessons with Wagner José da Silva (Principal Percussionist of Banda Municipal de Americana). Upon turning fourteen years old, Mr. Martinelli de Lira started studying with João Stecca (Percussionist of Orquestra Municipal de Campinas) and later César Traldi (Percussion Professor of Universidade Federal de Uberlândia). Under their guidance he was accepted to the Universidade de São Paulo to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, where he joined the studio of Ricardo Bologna (Timpanist of Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo).
In his junior year of college Davi won his first professional audition with the Orquestra do Theatro São Pedro (ORTHESP), becoming the youngest student of his studio to hold a professional orchestra position. As their principal percussionist, Mr. Martinelli de Lira worked with OTHERSP for four years, where he performed renowned operas such as “Carmen” by G. Bizet, “Tosca” by G. Puccini, and “Rigoletto” by G. Verdi, not to mention several premiers and recorded two albums at the historic Theatro São Pedro, one of the oldest and most important venues in the country.
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Davi Martinelli de Lira took private lessons with André Juarez (Vibraphonist and Conductor at Universidade de São Paulo) and Rubén Zúñiga (Percussionist at Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo). Under their tutelage Davi accomplished several landmark achievements. Firstly, in 2013, Mr. Martinelli de Lira advanced to the quarter-finals of the solo competition “Prelúdio”, where he performed the Ney Rosauro’s Vibraphone Concerto on Cultura broadcast TV. That same year he won an invitation to join the YOA Orchestra of the Americas on their Caribbean Tour (Summer 2014) to perform alongside the most talented young musicians from across the Americas. Moreover, working together with André Juarez, Davi recorded all the fifteen J.S.Bach Three-Part Inventions, BWV 772–801 as part of the album "André Juarez Plays Bach 2" released in 2014. Eager to improve his musical skills and continue building his career, Davi decided to quit his position at ORTHESP in order to pursue his Master’s Degree in the United States of America.
In the fall of 2014 Mr. Martinelli de Lira joined the exclusive studio of Tom Freer (Assistant Principal Timpani of The Cleveland Orchestra), at Cleveland State University. During his three years living in Ohio, Davi demonstrated a rapid adaptation to the American music industry and quickly achieved impressive results. On the orchestral level, Mr. Martinelli de Lira was selected to participate in distinguished music summer festivals such as The Orchestra of the Americas (Canada), National Orchestra Institute (Maryland), and Aspen Music Festival (Colorado). Alongside performing with professional orchestras around Cleveland, like Canton Symphony Orchestra and Cleveland Philharmonic, Davi made formidable gains in his orchestral auditions, advancing to finals at Akron Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Percussion audition and semifinals at Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s Principal Percussion audition. In conjunction with his orchestral career, Davi was a founding member of the Paulo Costa Trio, a Jazz/Brazilian music group that made a big impression on the Ohio Northeast’s music scene. Side by side with Paulo Costa (singer and guitarist) and Felipe Brito (trombonist), Mr. Martinelli de Lira performed in multiple establishments in Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus, bringing the most authentic and captivating Brazilian rhythms to thousands of people.
Once Davi obtained his Master’s Degree in Music from Cleveland State University, he moved to Boca Raton, Florida, to pursue a Professional Performance Certificate at Lynn Conservatory of Music. Awarded with a full tuition scholarship, Mr. Martinelli de Lira joined the respected studio of Ted Atkatz (former Principal Percussionist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and quickly integrated into Florida’s music industry. During his two years there, Davi performed with various world-class orchestras from the area, such as New World Symphony, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Sarasota Orchestra. In 2018, he was invited to join the National Repertory Orchestra, a well-known summer festival in Breckenridge, Colorado, and also won the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Percussion Audition, prevailing over high level candidates from all over the country.
In 2019, after joining the Orchestra of the Americas (Mexican tour) in July, Davi moved to Los Angeles, California, to begin his Professional Studies Certificate at Colburn School, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the United States of America. In less than one month studying at Colburn School, Mr. Martinelli de Lira won his second professional audition in the country, joining the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in September of 2019. Davi’s career saw additional advances during his time in Los Angeles; he accepted a position at Jumpstart Program (Los Angeles, LA) as their percussion teacher, and joined the Colburn’s Dance Department as an accompanist, positions he still holds today. These teaching opportunities have served to continue Mr. Martinelli de Lira’s passion for music education, a passion which began with his involvement as a mentor with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra (Cleveland, OH) and grew during his time working with the Passes and Lessons Scholarship Program (Aspen, CO). As part of his faculty positions, Davi maintains a private studio with students ranging in age from 8 to 17.
Mr. Martinelli de Lira continues to enjoy an exciting career in music as a member of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Britt Festival Orchestra, and Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. He is passionate about learning new concepts and ideas every day, a love that he strives to pass on to the next generation as adjunct professor of percussion at Elizabeth City State University. This enthusiasm for music extends to other areas of life that motivate him to maintain a healthy style. With this mentality he seeks to live life fully and bring joy to those around him.