SAFREI

        Savio Freitas is a former Jesuit, founder of Safrei International School of Music, and a Timorese musician who pursued his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan. He is the 2014 recipient of the Xavier Award, and 2015 recipient of the Cecilia Award from Elisabeth University of Music, the awards which recognize academic excellence.

        Prior to pursuing graduate studies in Japan, Savio served as Project and Site Manager in the construction of the new Jesuit School, CSIL (Colégio de Santo Inácio de Loiola), in Kasait from 2011 to 2012. From 2009 to 2011, he taught English and History to high school students at CSJ (Colégio São José) in Dili.

         Savio earned his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from the Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines) in 2009. It is during his years of studying philosophy in Manila that he composed enough songs to merit an album. Sponsored by the Jesuits, Savio released his own CD album A Minha Vida in 2007. This album was later used to raise funds in Singapore for the Jesuit mission in Timor Leste.

         These days, aside from setting up music school for children in Timor Leste, Savio is busy conducting his research study on tebedai, one of the traditional music of Timor Leste, and traditional melodies. He aims to understand the meaning of tebedai and traditional melodies, discover their origins, means of origination, propagation, and preservation on the island of Timor, and understand their roles in Timorese society today.