ITAMAR GONÇALVES LIMA, known as Itamar Lima, began his career as a musician at 14 years of age when he followed his dream to play and compose music. Itamar began his studies under musician and composer Carlinhos Brown, who started a landmark project teaching underprivileged youth in the favelas (slums) how to play drums. With Carlinhos, Itamar had the opportunity to learn the rhythms of his native Brazilian culture, as well as taste the flavor of the African culture that so influenced it. Itamar studied with Carlinhos for just two years, and was soon afterwards invited to perform with the world-famous Carnaval band Timbalada. During his tenure with Timbalada, Itamar recorded two albums and toured the world. Afterwards, Itamar recorded on Carlinhos Brown's first solo album.

The year 1997 was critical to Itamar's artistic development. He began playing percussion in dance classes, where he not only had the opportunity to meet many other talented musicians, but dancers as well. Thus, Itamar entered into the dynamic world of making live music for folkloric dancers. Itamar continues to create new musical accompaniment for choreographed dances, as well as develops short musical patterns for dance classes.

In 1998, Itamar was invited to teach a one-year workshop at the School of Afro-American Music in Uruguay, where he was very well received. His work was recognized by the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), whose School of Dance invited Itamar to teach back at home. Through Edleiza Santana, Itamar was invited to teach a course in Brazilian Popular Music as influenced by Folkloric and Afro-Brazilian music. Following that experience, Itamar decided to focus his work on Afro-Brazilian music, specializing in the historical flow of influence to and from Samba, Capoeira, and Macuele. In 2002, Itamar worked with some of the first American ethnomusicologists interested in Folkloric, Popular and African-influenced Brazilian music.

Itamar is someone with the capacity to always surprise others with his exciting talent. During his 10 years as a professional musician, he has had the opportunity to make music and work with many great musicians, dance teachers, and bands. Itamar is most proud of having had the prestige of working with some of the best African and Afro-Brazilian dance teachers in the world, including: Queila Rosa (Austria), Roquidelia Santos (Brazil), Paco Gomes (USA), Kwame Ross (USA), Rita Pepe (Spain), Rita Rodrigues ( Brazil), Joselito Santos (Brazil), Gelon Vieira (USA), Edleiza Santana (Brazil) and Clyde Morgan (USA), to name just a few. He is known by these prestigious teachers for his sensitivity to the interplay between musicians and dancers in class and on stage - a rare characteristic indeed.

Today, Itamar is a specialist in Brazilian folkloric music and history, and continues to develop and expand his body of knowledge about regional popular culture. He plays and teaches Afro-Brasilian music at the Cultural Foundation of Bahia (FUNCEB) School of Dance and UFBA. Itamar is frequently called upon to perform with local cultural institutions like the Dance Theater of Bahia and to be a set musician for nationally- and internationally-known stars such as Margarethe Mendes.