Isidoro Lessa De Paula

DR. ISIDORO LESSA De PAULA

Ordained Minister of Music
Professor of Musical Arts and
Director of the Rollins College Community
School of Music (1997-2022)
Faculty of Rollins College Music School since 1997

August 1943 - February 2023

Born in the mountains of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the small town of Manhumirim, near the Pico da Bandeira—third highest mountain in the country—Dr. Isidoro de Paula's love of music sparked at an early age and would blossom into a lifelong passion and ministry that would touch the lives of countless people. As an adolescent, the quiet country boy—a middle child with five siblings and a caring, inquisitive nature—moved to the bustling metropolis of Niterói in the neighboring state of Rio de Janeiro, where he became an active member of the First Baptist Church of Niterói. By the age of 18, he completed studies at the Brazilian Conservatory of Music and went on to graduate from the Federal Fluminense University with degrees in English and French, the study of foreign languages and lands having set off a desire to one day see the world. A consummate teacher by nature, with intellectual verve and endless patience, he soon began instructing Portuguese, French and music in schools in Niterói and nearby São Gonçalo. Ever industrious and willing to serve, he also became deeply involved in the church, leading activities for youth and young adults, directing choirs and playing the piano during worship services.

In 1970, Dr. de Paula took an exciting leap of faith and moved to the United States, where he began preparing for what would become a 35-year ministry of leading worship and music in the church. It was while studying for his masters degree in sacred music with a concentration in piano and composition, at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, that he would meet his future wife, Barbara. She was a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church, where he helped lead the choir, and gave him rides to church. With his masters degree completed, Dr. de Paula returned to his homeland in 1973 to become one of the first ordained ministers of music in Brazil, serving at First Baptist Baptist Church of Niterói. Not long after, he would journey back to the United States to rejoin Barbara and marry her in January of 1974, after which the couple returned to Brazil and later welcomed their first son, Marcus.

In 1976, the young family would make the trip back to the States, having their second son Matthew, and eventually relocating to Fort Worth, Texas, where Dr. de Paula continued his education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary while also leading worship and music at local churches. In 1981, he received a masters degree in conducting, and in 1985 he completed his doctorate in church music administration, after welcoming their third child, Marisa, the year prior.

His impressive education finally complete, Dr. de Paula and family returned to Brazil in 1985, where he continued his ministry, this time assuming the role of professor of music at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Niterói and director of the music department at the Baptist Theological Seminary of Southern Brazil in Tijuca.

In 1989, Dr. de Paula and family would once again return to the United States to be near Barbara's aging parents in Winter Park, Florida. Around this time he became minister of music for First Baptist Church of Tuskawilla, where he would serve for nearly a decade, having a great and lasting impact on many lives. With enduring devotion to ministries in Brazil, he returned there in 1997 for a semester to serve as interim director of the music department at the Baptist Theological College in Belém, Brazil. Shortly after returning to the United States, he began a new chapter in his illustrious career, as a professor in the music department of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. It was here that he also became the program coordinator of the Rollins College community school, teaching piano and music theory. Unfailingly devoted to sharing his passion for music, he continued teaching even after being diagnosed with cancer and up until the very last months of his life, pursuing his heart's desire and continuing the lifelong ministry of preparing others to exercise the divine gift of music in their lives.

Dr. de Paula is preceded in death by his parents Theonillo and Dahlia de Paula, his sisters Nilce Malafaia and Thelia Malafaia, and brother Danillo de Paula. He is survived by his wife Barbara de Paula, sons Marcus and Matthew de Paula, daughter Marisa Martinez, grandchildren Dahlia Martinez, Jonas Martinez, Caleb Martinez, and Isaac de Paula, and sisters Dinora Scott and Nilda Nolasco.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please check back for updates.

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