Written by Regina Ender
As a musician and music advocate, Darkson Magrinelli Rocha has found that performing and experiencing music has the power to change lives and connect people to Christ. In several roles, Magrinelli shares his passion for music and for God by encouraging meaningful relationships between musicians on an international scale. Magrinelli serves as APU’s College of the Arts representative in Brazil, connecting students in South America and the United States who have the same gifts and heart for music.
Magrinelli has been a renowned clarinetist for over a decade and has performed with various orchestras throughout the world since he earned his undergraduate degree from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. He earned his Master of Music in Clarinet Performance and his Artist Certificate from APU and is currently working on his doctorate at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. During his time as a student, he has loved opportunities to help international students find their career path in music. He encourages his mentees to grow as individuals and as musicians, pushing them to find their path through music to become educators, consumers, and advocates for music in whatever career path they choose.
Magrinelli began advocating for students internationally in 2011 when he started a job in International Enrollment Services at APU. Since then, he has created countless international relationships and helped to start the California University Experience Program at the International Center. As APU’s liaison, Magrinelli has connected APU to institutions in Brazil who have similar missions. At the Institute Baccarelli in Heliopolis, students who would otherwise never be able to become musicians because of social and economic barriers are given the chance to pursue their passions under the instruction of highly-qualified teachers. Because of Magrinelli’s influence, the students have incredible opportunities to connect with other musicians across the globe who share the same love of music. In addition to this role, Magrinelli has advocated for music as an adjunct professor at East Tennessee State University and as a researcher under a travel grant for the University of North Carolina. Generously, Magrinelli also teaches some students across Brazil and the U.S. for free and has appeared in charity concerts to give back to the music community.
As a performer, Magrinelli has flourished on an international stage. At the beginning of his career, he was the winner of Sesi-Fundarte Orchestra’s young soloist competition twice. In 2011, he performed the Blue Shades clarinet solo under the direction of renowned composer Frank Ticheli. As a member of APU’s Symphony Orchestra, he won the Concerto Competition performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, which he looks back on as one of his fondest memories from his time as a student. Now, he is a featured artist for the renowned Selmer Paris clarinet company.
Words of Wisdom: “Becoming educated in music is a vital component of being an educated person in general. Music not only provides many tools for the development of individuals from an early age but also has a great impact on our society at large.”
