By Kristen Kirtely, Senior Reporter
Playing piano is not only Eduardo Moreira’s life passion and career, but it is also what led him to meeting the love of his life.
One day, a young woman who was trying to finish her master’s degree in flute performance at the University of Oregon was frantically searching for a pianist to accompany her during her flute recital.
Because of the difficulty of the piece she was playing, she was having trouble finding a willing pianist.
Then, she was introduced by a friend to a pianist who was not only willing to play the piece, but who had also written his dissertation over the composer of the piece while getting his doctor of musical arts degree.
After the recital, the two musicians not only continued playing together, but began dating. The couple in this story is Eduardo and Victoria Moreira.
The couple soon discovered that not only do they share a passion for music, but a passion for mountain climbing as well.
DIAMOND DAY
On the day that Eduardo decided he was ready to propose to Victoria, he took her to climb a mountain named Diamond Peak in Oregon.
He planned to propose at the top of the mountain, but the couple was not prepared for the mosquitos they encountered during the climb. Although they decided to climb down before reaching the top, Moreira was still determined to propose that day.
With the ring in his pocket, he anxiously awaited for the perfect time to pop the question.
The couple began to hike a trail called Diamond Trail.
“It’s our diamond day,” Eduardo Moreira said.
Victoria didn’t know he was referring to the diamond ring in his pocket, rather than the Diamond Mountain and Diamond Trail.
While walking the trail, Eduardo got down on one knee and asked Victoria to marry him.
She said yes. Proposing to his wife is what Moreira considers to be his greatest accomplishment in life.
PASSION IN PIANO
Moreira is now an assistant professor of music at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
“It’s what I always wanted to do professionally,” Moreira said. “I always wanted to teach piano at a university.”
Moreira was born and raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He lived in Porto Alegre with his parents and brother until he moved to France for school when he was 21 years old. At the age of six, he began playing piano as a hobby, but didn’t consider it for a profession until he was in college.
Moreira said he wished that he would have begun taking piano seriously at an earlier age.
If he could live his life over, he would have taken more risks in his adult life and done more piano competitions even when he didn’t feel fully prepared, he said.
“Sometimes I have this fear of failing, and that prevents me from taking risks,” Moreira said.
Along with his musical talent, Moreira’s college friend, Grant Mack, said he is known for his work ethic, being a loyal friend and going the extra mile.
Moreira once drove Mack to his cataract surgery. Not only did Moreira drive Mack, but he stayed in the waiting room during the surgery and then took Mack home.
Mack considers Moreira to be a professional musician.
“I’ve seen him at his best when he performs music,” Mack said.
Victoria Moreira, Eduardo’s wife and an adjunct instructor of music at Northwestern, said Eduardo is a wonderful husband.
When he graduated from the University of Oregon, he struggled with finding a professor job because of the competitive field.
“Even in times of adversity, he never gives up,” Victoria Moreira said. “He’s never lost sight of what’s important or the goal. I really admire his passion for things he really cares about.”
RACE CAR DRIVING
Moreira’s passions don’t end at playing the piano and mountain climbing.
He said most people would be surprised to learn that he used to be a racecar driver during his teenage years. He even won a race once.
Moreira said being a fan of a famous Brazilian driver who won the world championship in racecar driving was the reason he asked his parents if he could go to driving school.
He said that, at a certain point, he had to decide whether he was going to take racecar driving seriously, but the expense of the car itself was why he decided to quit.
He can also speak fluent French and enjoys playing basketball.
He said Michael Jordan was his hero growing up.
Moreira also tries to run outside a least four times a week.
“It’s not only good for your body, but it’s good for your mind,” Moreira said. “I really feel better after I run. It’s a stress reliever.”
Moreira said one of the craziest thing he’s ever done was climb a mountain called Mount Hood with no experience.
He said that Mount Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon, is famous, and people die every year trying to climb it.
“Every time you go to a mountain, I think you learn something,” Moreira said. “I didn’t know that I had that in me.”
Although he has raced cars, climbed mountains, taught classes and performed in front of crowds, Moreira said public speaking is one of his biggest fears.
He said the more he speaks in front of crowds, the more comfortable he feels.
ACADEMIC JOURNEY
Moreira has earned four different degrees throughout his educational career. He has received his doctor of musical arts in piano performance at the University of Oregon, his master of music in piano performance at the University of Strasbourg in France, his bachelor of music in piano performance at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and his artist diploma in piano performance at the Strasbourg Conservatory in France.
Karsten Longhurst, assistant professor of music and director of choral studies at Northwestern, said he admires Moreira’s dedication to his craft, authenticity, flexibility and discipline.
“He’s passionate,” Longhurst said. “He’s a great teacher. He cares about the students, and he knows how to teach.”
Moreira said a couple things he hopes to accomplish are growing the piano department at Northwestern and becoming more active as a concert pianist.
“We are very fortunate to have such a strong faculty member in the piano area,” Longhurst said. “He gives it all. It’s inspiring, and it’s fun.”