Last month, ACD Creative Writing student Gabriel Morse returned to Árvore da Vida, the Brazilian social program that first set his journey in motion. What began as childhood choir rehearsals in one of Brazil’s largest favelas has since taken him across continents, onto world stages, and into classrooms as an educator and advocate. Back where it all started, Gabriel spoke with current students about the power of the arts, the importance of access, and how a spark lit in childhood shaped the life he lives today.
Raised in one of Brazil’s largest slums, quality education, exposure to the arts, and cultural experiences were out of reach for Gabriel. But Árvore de Vida opened a door. In its choir, Gabriel sang classical music in multiple languages and was introduced to a world far beyond his own. His first trip with the choir lit a spark that never faded. He went on to perform in theaters and festivals, appeared on national television, and even shared a stage with Andrea Bocelli in front of 100,000 people.
That early exposure to language and culture pushed him further. He became an ESL teacher, interpreter, and translator. He later moved to the U.S., and then to Dublin, where he now attends ACD. Today, he’s also a soloist in an award-winning LGBT classical choir in Ireland.l He’s performed on the main stage at Electric Picnic, opened for major acts, taken part in Europe’s largest LGBT choral festival in Italy, and even sang at the Irish Parliament.
Gabriel is currently writing his first book, 30 Before 30, which tells the story of how a boy from favela (slums) managed to visit 30 countries before turning 30. It’s a story of overcoming obstacles and a call to rethink what success truly means.
That belief drives much of Gabriel’s work today. He’s spoken to over 10,000 high school students across Brazil who come from socioeconomically disadvantaged families about language learning, travel, and the importance of the arts. And most importantly: How to find access to it all. He hopes to take these conversations global. That’s why he’s part of the TEDx Translators team. One of his dreams is to give a TED Talk of his own.
We are tremendously proud to have Gabriel as part of our ACD community. His passion, drive, and dedication continues to inspire us.
