Manny Moreira, founder and artistic director of the New Deco Orchestra Experience, offers a unique perspective on music, shaped by decades of experience as a Juilliard-trained conductor, guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and producer. He talks about discovering the Transcendental Meditation technique in 2018, which brought clarity and balance to his creative output and personal life. Passionate about reviving a sense of elegance in performance, he brings a timeless sophistication to the stage.

Brazilian American artist Manny Moreira has performed on five continents, including touring Africa as a Latin Jazz ambassador, sponsored by the U.S. State Department. On Broadway, he was the original guitarist for In the Heights, working with Lin-Manuel Miranda through the full Broadway run, and he also appears in the film adaptation. His other Broadway and touring credits include The Who’s Tommy, Aida, Smokey Joe’s Café, and Blood Brothers with Helen Reddy.

Mr. Moreira performed at major venues, such as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Kennedy Center, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, collaborating with artists like Paulo Szot, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and the Miami Sound Machine. His recording work includes Paraiso with Gerry Mulligan and the GRAMMY-winning In the Heights soundtrack album. He co-produced Savoy for Taj Mahal, which won the 2023 DownBeat Critics Poll Award for Best Blues Album.

Manny Moreira, founder and artistic director of the New Deco Orchestra Experience, offers a unique perspective on music, shaped by decades of experience as a Juilliard-trained conductor, guitarist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and producer.

His studies include jazz guitar with Pat Martino, orchestral conducting at Juilliard, acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and voice with Jim Carson. He is a longtime member of the American Federation of Musicians, the Actors’ Equity, the Writers Guild of America, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Mr. Moreira composed Christmas in New York for CBS-TV, performed as guitarist on the Dora the Explorer TV series, and served as music director for international corporate events. He considers his proudest achievement to be championing the return of elegance through his work as founder and artistic director of the New Deco Orchestra Experience. Now based in Vero Beach, Florida, he is currently collaborating with Riverside Theater on his new musical project, Beatles and Bossa.

Christine Albers, host of TM Talks, interviewed Manny Moreira. This interview was aired on September 21, 2025.