About us
Joia Tours are facilitated by our guides as well as the teachers and groups that we work with in Brazil.
Joia Tours are facilitated by our guides as well as the teachers and groups that we work with in Brazil.
Ty Hammes has lived in Brazil on
and off since 1997. He has travelled
throughout the majority of Brazil
playing and studying music with
countless groups including
Olodum, Unidos da Tijuca, Orlando
Costa (percussionist of Marisa
Monte and others), Gustavo da
Dalva (percussionist for Gilberto Gil),
Maracatu Estrela Brilhante, Jongo da
Serrinha, Beth da Oxum, Junhior da Mangueira, and
Marcos Suzano. In carnaval 2002, he was invited to participate as
the only non-Brazilian in the 350+ person ensemble of the four
largest afro blocos in Salvador and was a member of Olodum. He
has lived and worked in Salvador and Rio for a combined 3 1/2
years and speaks fluent portuguese. He is the founder of the
company Joia Botanicals and uses this business to work with
communities and ecology in Brazil, and he is also the founder of
the Colorado based Brazilian group Sambadendę. When not working
or playing music, he trains capoeira, coaches basketball, and plays
outside near his home in Boulder, CO.
Erika Anderson
is an experienced world traveler and
will be your concierge for the trip.
She has spent many months exploring
the nooks and crannies of Latin America
and is especially passionate about
Brazilian music and dance.
She will be graduating this August with
her Master's degree in Traditional
Chinese Medicine and will be a
practicing Acupuncturist soon after.
When Erika is not working with Joia Tours or in school
studying, you can find her Samba dancing with the Boulder based
Brazilian dance troupe SambaSol da Liberdade or playing outside
in the mountains of Colorado. Erika will be able to answer any
questions you have regarding your health concerns while abroad,
getting your visa and travel plans and any special requests regarding
dietary needs and accomodation.