Los Angeles-based percussionist Felipe Fraga began playing percussion at age 9. Originally from Curitiba in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, Felipe studied at the Fine Arts and Music School of Paraná (EMBAP), where he performed with local orchestras, big bands and marching bands, the MPB Orchestra of Curitiba and with artists such as Arthur Moreira Lima, Altamiro Carrilho, Joel Nascimento, José Canuto and Roberto Gnatalli. After moving to the United States in 2001, he has performed and/or recorded with Robert Irving III, Wallace Roney, Orbert Davis, Victor Goines, Yolanda Adams, Janelle Monáe, Nick Colionne, Joe Vasconcelos and opened for renowned acts including Vinicius Cantuária, Daniela Mercury and Bajofondo.

Felipe was a featured percussionist for Robert Irving III’s “Sketches of Brazil” project that debuted at Millennium Park. He has lent his musical talents to brand advertising for McDonald’s, event properties that include the World Music Festival and Oprah! and the movie soundtrack to Blue Sky Studios' Rio 2.

Felipe founded and previously directed Unidos do Quilombo Brazilian percussion ensemble in residence at the Quilombo Cultural Center of Chicago. Felipe has taught Brazilian percussion at the Chicago Public Schools, the Music Institute of Chicago, Capital University’s Conservatory of Music in Ohio and DePaul University’s School of Music.