Duda Barreto

Artist, Musician, Social entrepreneur

Hey, everyone! My name is Duda Barreto, I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but I currently go to college in Boston. I am a second-semester student at Berklee College of Music, majoring in Music Business/Management with a minor in Business of Live Music. Professionally, I see myself as a catalyst to make a difference in the world. Through my passion for music, I aim to help others, drawing inspiration from the impact it has had on my own life. I hope people can find the comfort and connection in my songs and lyrics as much as I have with artists worldwide.

Siinging and performing, connecting with people, and organizing events that positively contribute to people's daily lives. I love to make new connections.

The Arts Exist Because Life Is Not Enough. I believe that we should challenge the social stigma around becoming an artist for a living and encourage a new perspective on the arts as a career, its significance in life, as well as the pursuit of creativity with open-mindedness and passion. Everyone has an artistic side, maybe a hobby such as playing an instrument, painting, or dancing. Many wish to explore these hobbies deeper but end up struggling since the educational system demands students to focus on subjects that do not explore the arts. Others wish to pursue these hobbies as careers but do not feel supported due to the social stigma around becoming an artist for a living, many of which include "not making money" or the well-known "starving-artist" stereotype. I hope to present to students, like myself, teachers, parents and leaders, how significant the arts are in an individual's life. I hope we can start to break down the outdated perspective and taboo around the arts as a career, and encourage you to pursue your creativity with open-mindedness and passion. As Brazilian poet and playwright, Ferreira Gullar, said: “A arte existe porque a vida não basta" (The arts exist because life is not enough). Check out my TEDx talk: The Arts Exist Because Life Is Not Enough

My passion for TED has always been pivotal in my life and has shaped the person I am today. Not only have I spent most of my childhood watching and scrolling through TED talks online, but I always craved to be a part of it and help create these events with poignant talks. Years later, I took on the role of Video and Production Director and Executive Producer for TEDxYouth@TBSRJ, the TEDx conference at my high school for two consecutive years. The following year, I got to be a TEDx speaker and deliver my talk titled 'The Arts Exist Because Life Is Not Enough,' showcasing how the starving artist stereotype is a myth and how it is possible to be an artist nowadays. When I arrived in college, I wished to do something bigger and bring TEDx to my Berklee College of Music community in Boston. Thus, I became the Lead Organizer and Licensee for the inaugural edition of TEDxBerklee College. Being part of Berklee, a hub of artistic and intellectual creativity, makes TEDxBerklee College an incredible opportunity for students and faculty to showcase their unique perspectives and insights on important topics. I am excited to create a space for students and faculty members to share their ideas and visions. My primary objective in hosting a TEDx event at Berklee is cultivating a dynamic platform for the vibrant exchange of ideas within our community. I aim to foster an environment where students and faculty members can showcase their unique perspectives and enlighten themselves with talks about exciting subjects.

Dancing ballet! I was a ballet dancer for over 10 years and wanted to pursue ballet as a career.