Alexandre Lora: the journey and artistry of a handpan virtuoso

Alexandre Lora: career path and world of a handpan virtuoso

Portrait of Ambre Montespan, editor of the Instruments du Monde Blog

Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 8, 2026

Table of contents:

Have you recently heard one of the compositions by Alexandre Lora, a world-renowned handpan player? Are you wondering where this percussionist comes from and what the major stages of his professional journey have been? What’s the discography of this talented musician? Who has he collaborated with throughout his career?

Although Alexandre Lora began his musical journey in the early 2000s, it wasn’t until 2017, with the release of his Grammy-nominated album “Rosa dos Ventos,” that I discovered his work. His gentle melodies won me over, and I’ve been following him ever since. Now, I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about him with you.

By reading this article, you will learn:

Alexandre Lora’s journey before and after discovering the handpan
His discography
The various other musical projects he’s involved in

As a result, you’ll uncover new details about this artist, helping you connect with his style and the emotions he seeks to express through his music.

Now, let’s dive into Alexandre Lora’s biography together.

What was Alexandre Lora's background before he discovered the handpan?

Originally from São Paulo, Alexandre Lora began studying percussion at a very young age. He earned a degree in drum kit in 2002 from the Faculdade de Artes Alcântara Machado (FAAM) in São Paulo, then studied classical percussion for three years at the EMM (Escola Municipal de Música de São Paulo). He then completed his training with a master’s degree in musicology and music education in 2009 at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). This strong academic background allowed him to move comfortably across multiple genres, from Brazilian popular music to world music, as both a drummer and percussionist.

Once he completed his studies, Alexandre Lora quickly launched an international career. In 2009, as part of the promotion for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, he represented Brazil alongside the group Caraivana at a cultural event in Copenhagen, Denmark. This group includes his brother Douglas Lora, who plays the 7-string guitar and performs Brazilian music blending samba and choro. In 2010, Alexandre Lora performed in no fewer than 33 cities in Spain as part of a musical project called “Diversions,” organised by the “La Caixa” foundation. In 2011, he played with the XL Jazz orchestra in Amsterdam and Rotterdam alongside Cuban pianist Ramón Valle.

In 2011, Alexandre Lora co-founded the Trio Brasileiro with his brother, guitarist Douglas Lora, and mandolinist Dudu Maia. The trio is dedicated to the Brazilian instrumental repertoire (choro and traditional music). This group has been a huge success on the international scene: Trio Brasileiro tours regularly in the United States (New York, Chicago, Miami, etc.) and Europe, introducing a wide audience to the richness of Brazilian choro. Trio Brasileiro is particularly known for its collaboration with New York clarinettist Anat Cohen. Their joint album Rosa dos Ventos (released in 2017 under the name Anat Cohen & Trio Brasileiro) was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best World Music Album category. This prestigious Grammy Award nomination, a first for a contemporary Brazilian choro album, established Alexandre Lora and his colleagues in Trio Brasileiro on the world stage.

In 2012, Alexandre Lora joined the teaching team at the Centrum Choro Workshop (in Port Townsend, USA) and continues to perform regularly in Brazil, Europe, and North America.

How did this percussionist discover the Hang drum?

While many musicians talk at length about their encounter with the handpan, little information is available about Alexandre Lora’s experience. In an interview, he revealed that it wasn’t until 2013 that he finally got his hands on one. He reached out to an acquaintance named “Machado” in São Paulo, hoping to explore this brand-new sonic instrument. From that first experience, Alexandre Lora felt a real spark and began devoting focused work to the handpan.

He is one of the pioneers who introduced the handpan to Brazil, developing a personal style that was entirely new in the country. His handpan compositions blend syncopated Brazilian rhythms and rich harmonies with the instrument’s ethereal tones. With the pantam (another name for the handpan) as his main instrument, Alexandre Lora brings a fresh musical approach to melodic percussion composition.

As a handpan soloist, Alexandre Lora has performed at numerous major festivals and events dedicated to the handpan and world music. He has played in Austria several times at the GRIASDI International Festival (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), as well as at the France Handpan Festival and the North Germany Handpan Festival. His tours have also taken him to Israel, Australia, Hungary, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and of course France, where he shares his passion for the handpan with audiences across borders. Listen to one of his performances below:

What is this Brazilian artist's discography?

To date, Alexandre Lora has produced four albums, which are listed below:

Oriente (2015): the artist’s first album, featuring only tracks where Alexandre Lora uses the handpan as his main instrument. This album lays the foundations for his blended “world music” style and highlights his mastery of the pandeiro and handpan.
Hand Pan for Peace (2017): his second solo album, premiered at the GRIASDI festival in Austria. Symbolically dedicated to peace, it promotes a message of unity and serenity.
Rosa dos Ventos (2017): an album by Anat Cohen & Trio Brasileiro (with Alexandre Lora on percussion) that was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best World Music Album category. This Brazilian jazz release blends clarinet and choro, showcasing Alexandre’s rhythmic virtuosity on the Grammy stage and earning him international recognition.
Getting to the Desert (2020): Alexandre Lora’s latest solo album, inspired by the percussionist’s personal experience crossing the Sinai Desert in Egypt. He seeks to convey “the spirit of the desert,” evoking the mystical beauty and vastness of the landscape.

Alexandre Lora holding a handpan in his hands

What other musical projects is Alexandre Lora involved in?

In addition to his work in album production and his appearances at concerts and festivals, Alexandre Lora is deeply committed to sharing his craft. He regularly teaches lessons and leads workshops for anyone eager to explore his distinctive style. In 2017, he was invited as a tutor at the very first “Pantam Summer School” in Austria, where he taught handpan alongside leading artists in the field (such as Adrian Portia, Carlos Kabeção Rodrigues, etc.). He has also produced a series of online courses available on the Master the Handpan platform. This set of instructional videos is called “Brazilian Rhythms for Handpan” and can be viewed directly on the Master the Handpan website. Having tried them myself, I can say they’re a great way to sharpen your playing while discovering a different musical culture.

Alexandre also collaborates with Douglas Lora in a family project called Irmãos Lora (the Lora brothers in Portuguese). This guitar-handpan duo offers an original repertoire, blending the warmth of the seven-string guitar with the mystical resonances of the handpan. You can listen to one of their performances in the video below:

Add colour to your daily life by playing the handpan

Thanks to his rich, international career, Alexandre Lora has established himself as one of the leading handpan artists of his generation. Whether with his bands or as a solo artist, he brings a uniquely Brazilian touch to the handpan world, combining rhythmic virtuosity with melodic sensitivity. After reading this article, you now know much more about Alexandre Lora’s background and musical career.

However, if you want, like this artist, to bring more joy and wonder into your everyday life, you’ll want a high-quality handpan with impeccable acoustics. For that, I recommend the online shop Instruments du Monde, which offers dozens of handpans, each as melodious as the next. For example, this sumptuous model designed for music therapy combines both sonic and visual beauty.

Fall in love with this handpan now by clicking on the image below:

If you’d like to explore a different playing style, you’re sure to love Warren Shanti, an excellent percussionist who also plays the Hang drum. Blending music with spiritual connection, this French artist is among the best-known handpan players on YouTube thanks to his regular releases of original compositions.

Ambre Montespan

I’ve been passionate about world musical instruments for over 20 years, and I love sharing that passion for these unique, far-flung instruments with you. After travelling extensively around the globe, I’m deeply convinced of the benefits of music therapy—using music as a gentle, alternative form of healing. Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of people navigate challenges in their everyday lives.

Through these articles, I hope to pass on everything I’ve learned so these instruments are never forgotten, while also offering you an original way to grow and thrive in your own life.