Agoura Hills man turns 95

Paulo Alencar, celebrated violinist

Accomplished violinist Paulo Alencar of Agoura Hills turned 95 years old on April 19, but hasn't let his age slow him down.

Born in 1913 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Alencar was a child prodigy violinist, playing throughout his lifelong career with such notables as Heifetz, Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra in New York.

"He is in perfect health and he walks up and down the stairs six times a day," said his daughter, Suzanne Wolf.

Alencar was honored by the Brazilian Consulate for pioneering Brazilian bossa nova music in the United States. He recorded several albums in his heyday and later re-released them on compact disc.

Alencar lives with his daughter's family in Agoura Hills and still works on his music regularly.

Each year for the past four years Alencar has celebrated his birthday with friends at Trader Joe's in Thousand Oaks.

A "lucky tradition," his daughter called it.