Wind instruments are often seen as ‘masculine’. Having just celebrated World Music Day, NT NETWORK highlights how many Goan women musicians are steadily changing this perception—one performance at a time
CHRISTINE MACHADO | NT NETWORK
Velrose Pereira Martins believes the trumpet chose her. “Growing up with a tiatrist father (Avers Pereira), I was surrounded by Goan music. But the trumpet had this commanding voice that I couldn’t ignore,” she shares.
She first experimented with the instrument around the age of 10. “I remember puffing my cheeks and getting frustrated because all that came out was air!” she chuckles.
But the moment she hit a clean note, she felt a surge of pride. “It was like learning to speak a new language—one I could use to express everything I couldn’t say with words,” she says.
Today, Velrose is one of Goa’s most popular musicians, known for her mastery of the trumpet. She has also inspired many young girls to take up wind instruments.
Among them is Clarissa Lobo, a young saxophonist with a growing social media following. Clarissa originally wanted to learn the trumpet after watching Velrose and her own father, Hendry Lobo, perform. But her father felt the saxophone might suit her better.
Though hesitant at first, she gave it a try, and was hooked. “I still remember how wide-eyed I was the first time I held a sax. So many buttons—I was obsessed with figuring out what they all did!” she says.
With time, she realised how emotionally expressive the instrument could be. It became this emotional outlet that just got me,” she says.
The power of parental support
Clarissa credits her father’s patience and encouragement as a key factor in her saxophone journey. “I remember playing my first song with him. He was so proud. He even called our neighbour, who’s a musician too, just to show him I could play. And whenever his friends dropped by, he’d proudly say, ‘She plays the sax now’,” she says.
Trumpeter Lancia Colaco also learned under her musician father’s guidance. She recalls her first public performance in church at around 11 years old. “I was so nervous,” she says. “But I played well, and everyone was proud. That experience gave me the confidence to keep going.”
Mehaila Rodrigues, who first performed publicly at the age of 11 for the International Jazz Day event in 2023, says the positive response to her music boosted her confidence. “People were shocked because I was so young. Their compliments motivated me,” says Mehaila, who plays both trumpet and saxophone.
Trained by Roy Menezes (saxophone) and Prakash (trumpet), she credits her father for introducing her to wind instruments and being her constant support. “Parental backing is so important,” she says.
Not just for men
“If we look at the past, more men were seen playing the saxophone. Some people still believe women shouldn’t be playing wind instruments. But I think more parents need to encourage their children, regardless of gender,” she says.
Clarissa agrees that there’s still a lot of old-school thinking around wind instruments. “People often see instruments like the sax or trumpet as ‘masculine’ because they look heavy or seem to require a lot of lung power. That creates this unspoken idea that girls shouldn’t or can’t play them, which just isn’t true,” she says.
Versatile all the way
Another common misconception, says musician Jeslina Rodrigues, is that wind instruments are limited to specific genres. “In reality, they’re incredibly versatile and can be used in all kinds of music,” says the trumpeter.
Jeslina comes from a long line of musicians—her great-grandfather Diogo Rodrigues was a church choir master and ran a music school. Her grandfather Abdonio Rodrigues was a drummer, and her father Savio Colman Rodrigues played both trumpet and drums. Jeslina was first trained by her grandfather, then by Jerom Rodrigues from Paroda.
Velrose also states that people tend to assume wind instruments are only suited to certain styles. “They forget how flexible they are. From jazz to classical to Konkani fusion—the trumpet covers it all,” she says.
She also dismisses the idea that playing them requires great lung power or physical strength. “It’s really about technique, breath control, and patience,” she explains.
Clarissa agrees. “Breath control and strength come with practice. It’s not about gender—it’s about passion,” she says.
Jayne Canlida Costa has heard another myth: that wind instruments cause lung or throat issues. “This is totally false. They’re actually great for your lungs, throat, and especially your mind,” says the saxophonist, who began learning at 14 and instantly fell in love with both the sound and the look of the instrument. Now performing across India, Jayne plays with Black in White and The Noel Rosh Project, and has played at weddings, tiatr shows, and concerts. Clarissa adds that there is also a perception that wind instruments can be complicated for beginners. “Yes, the sax can look intimidating, I felt that too,” she admits. “But once you start, it all begins to make sense. It’s just misunderstood.”
She also believes wind instruments can be deeply expressive. “The sax is one of the most emotional instruments I’ve ever played. Every note carries feeling,” she says.
Lancia points out that a lack of visible role models may keep girls from taking up wind instruments. “If you don’t see someone like you doing it, you might think it’s not for you,” she says.
Madonna Fernandes, who started on the trumpet and later moved to the saxophone, recalls her first brass band performance in 2019 at Cortalim Church. “There were very few women in brass bands back then, so it was a memorable moment for me,” she says.
A change of key
But things are shifting. Jayne says that in recent years, more women have taken up wind instruments. “In every village of Goa, you’ll find at least one woman playing a brass instrument. That’s a really positive sign,” she says.
Clarinettist Pearl Fernandes agrees. “In my school’s brass band at Maria Bambina Convent High School, Cuncolim, we had girls playing the trumpet—and more are joining in,” she says. She’s also met many women wind musicians in the wider music community.
Pearl initially played the violin, but when her music mentor, Fr. Simon D’Cunha, and her parents encouraged her to try a new instrument, she chose the clarinet for its beautiful sound. “I liked that it wasn’t too bulky or too small. It struck a nice balance and made me eager to learn,” she says, adding that it took just a day or two before she could produce a decent sound.
Still the second option
The opportunities to play wind instruments now go far beyond tiatr and brass band performances. “I’ve played for choirs and concerts, which shows how much the scope has grown,” says Pearl.
Clarissa adds that women wind musicians today can perform at weddings, record in studios, appear in music videos, play private shows, explore jazz, or build an online presence. “Social media has opened up so many new paths,” she says. However, she states, men are often the default choice, especially for bigger gigs. “Women have to push harder to be seen and taken seriously,” she says.
Jayne agrees. “I feel that females are often treated as second options, which is sad. We’re just as capable as male musicians. I hope women get equal opportunities moving forward.”
Madonna adds that girls are often underestimated. “But we’re no less. I’m proud to be someone who inspires younger girls to take up wind instruments,” she says.
A question of mentors
However, more still needs to be done to encourage women to join the bandwagon—starting with better access to training. “There aren’t many places in Goa that offer wind instrument instruction. Most music classes focus on violin, keyboard, or guitar,” says Pearl
Jayne began learning saxophone at Pilar Music School, which no longer offers brass training. “There should be more schools and teachers for brass instruments.,” she says.
But Madonna believes the situation is gradually improving. “I was trained under the late maestro Luis Cota, a respected figure in Goa’s music scene. While experienced mentors are limited, access to music tutors—both in person and online—is growing,” she says.
Clarissa, who trained under her father and later Joachim, agrees. “Goa has some excellent wind instrument teachers—they’re just not as visible as those for guitar or keyboard. A lot of parents lean towards familiar instruments because those classes are easier to find. A little more visibility could really open things up.”
More representation is the way
But most importantly, there’s a need for stronger representation. “We need more women in visible roles—performing, teaching and recording. Music schools should encourage girls to explore all kinds of instruments. There’s a real need to open doors for women brass players in jazz ensembles, orchestras, film scores, and independent fusion projects,” says Velrose. “I’ve been lucky to work with artists who think beyond the conventional, but that mindset should be the norm, not the exception.” Saxophonist Swizel Costa also mentions the need for mentorship programmes, workshops, and platforms that showcase women wind instrumentalists. A founding member of Jazzmatazz, she was introduced to the saxophone by a friend and was later inspired by a British saxophonist’s performance. “Caroline Fernandes, my current teacher, built my foundation in technique and musicality,”
she says. Now a music educator herself, Swizel finds it heartening to see more young people taking up brass instruments. “By promoting inclusivity and creating opportunities, we can create a more vibrant and diverse music scene.”
Jeslina adds that expanding music education could help more aspiring wind players. “Collaborations with other musicians, jazz groups like Jazz Goa, and exploring different genres can open new doors. But more support and initiatives are needed to make the music space truly inclusive,” she says.
The future is bright
“There’s potential—it just needs more direction and support,” says Lancia, who finds hope in the number of young girls coming to her father to learn music. “Despite occasional discouragement or stereotypes, they show up, eager to make music. Their enthusiasm gives me hope.” Velrose shares a similar feeling. “What gives me hope is when girls come up after a show and say, ‘I didn’t know girls could play trumpet too!’ That spark in their eyes—that’s what keeps me going.”
Clarissa too has had girls reach out saying they now want to try the saxophone. “Knowing someone saw my journey and felt they could do it too—that’s powerful,” she says, adding that seeing more girls claim space in music, especially in areas once male-dominated, inspires her. “Thanks to the internet and social media, it’s easier than ever to learn, connect, and be seen. As long as we keep supporting one another, I believe more women will step into this space.”
