Young Brazilian musician heads to Europe for special training

A summary of the article published in English in Folha de S. Paulo's international edition on 30 September 2020. Read the full article on folha.uol.com.br

Folha de S. Paulo told the story of Palloma Izidio, a 23-year-old violist who caught Marc Sabbah's attention during an online class – and of how, five months later, she travelled to Belgium to study with him.

• Palloma first picked up the viola in a social music project for public-school children in Barra Mansa (Rio de Janeiro), and later moved to São Paulo to join the Heliópolis Symphony Orchestra of the Instituto Baccarelli.
• When the pandemic stopped in-person activities, Baccarelli organised online masterclasses with leading instrumentalists. Palloma was one of three students invited to play for Marc Sabbah, whom the paper describes as a New York-born soloist with an international career and several international prizes.
• After the masterclass he offered her a private lesson, then weekly classes. Within two months he was convinced she had the level to study at the Royal Conservatory of Mons, where he teaches.
• She was admitted in July 2020. As Mons offers no scholarships, she raised money for her airfare and first year's fees, and with help from supporters and accommodation in Brussels she left for Europe that week.