Music drives social inclusion and transforms lives in Brazil

For vulnerable groups, music has proven to be a powerful tool for social inclusion. Free courses for immigrants and adapted lessons for people with disabilities open paths for cognitive, emotional, and collective development among historically marginalized populations.

Projects like Musicou and the Conservatório de Tatuí, managed by Sustenidos, have shown concrete results by transforming lives through art. Vulnerable groups — refugees, residents of underprivileged areas, people with disabilities, and youth in socio-educational programs — find in music real opportunities for personal and social change.

Research by USP indicates that, in contexts of scarcity, music offers children and youth a space for belonging, representation, and talent development. Musical performances also promote values such as empathy and respect for differences.

According to Gerson Tomanari, psychology professor at USP, “the various effects of music impact individuals and the social groups to which they belong,” highlighting the link between music, cognition, emotions, and social identity.

In Musicou, a Sustenidos initiative present in four regions, the program fosters human development and citizenship, serving historically excluded groups in partnership with institutions like APAE and CREAS. In Andirá and Porecatu (PR), 30 people with intellectual disabilities attend classes; in Santa Mariana (PR), children in extreme vulnerability are referred by the Public Ministry; in Arinos (MG), the project serves children from shelters. In São Paulo, Musicou FUNSAI welcomes refugee students and autistic children.

“He has speech difficulties but insists on singing lessons. Music makes him feel included in a welcoming and diverse environment,” says Ana Moreno, mother of Rafael, a Down syndrome student at Musicou FUNSAI.

At the Conservatório de Tatuí, inclusion occurs through Braille music notation, a free two-year course teaching reading and writing of sheet music, with support for singing, theory, and instrument lessons. “Currently, five blind students, aged 8 to 12, attend classes with full autonomy thanks to assistive technologies and adapted teaching materials,” explains teacher Karla Cremonez.