Rafael Filipe Moreira Araújo 

Holds a degree from the University of Aveiro in Conducting, Music Theory, and Musical Training, having studied with Vasco Negreiros and António Lourenço.

He continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe in choral conducting with Frank Leenen, Dieter Kurz, and Stephman Hoffmann, and orchestral conducting with Andreas Weiss, graduating with the highest distinction.

He holds a Master's degree in Music Education from the University of Aveiro and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of Minho. He has had the opportunity to work with Javier Castro, Jean-Sébastien Béreau, Lior Shambadal, and Simon Halsey, among others.

As a composer, he has had several works premiered at various national and international festivals in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Lithuania. He participated in the "International Program for Music Education" in Groningen, Netherlands. He is frequently invited as an accompanying pianist for national competitions and masterclasses, such as Sons de Cabral, Terras de La Salette, Concurso do Alto Minho, and Paços Premium, among others.

He was the conductor and founder of the Royal Voices Choir (Portugal) and the ABH/RSH CHOR in Karlsruhe (Germany), where he conducted numerous concerts.

In 2016, he won 1st prize in the 3rd Children's Composition Competition of the Portuguese Association for Music Education (APEM). In 2018, he obtained 2nd prize in the International Music Arrangement Competition – APEX in Lithuania and 3rd prize in the 5th Children's Composition Competition of APEM. He won 3rd prize in the FOLEFEST 2019 Competition.

He has completed training and workshops in Education, Soundpainting, Music Therapy, and Vocal and Body Improvisation with Chris Philpott, François Choiselat, Christopher Azzara, Natália Santos, and Joaquim Alves, among others.

He is the Artistic Director of the Coro de Santa Joana in Aveiro. He regularly carries out social projects and projects promoting music for people with disabilities and in prisons, examples of which include "Sons da Diferença" (Sounds of Difference) and "Libert’artE" (Liberate Art), supported by DGARTES and DGRSP.