Mario Dias, brazilian concert pianist, began playing the piano in his early teens. Essentially self-taught, at 16 he was studying under the guidance of Jorge Preiss. After one year, he began performing before audiences. At 19 he entered the Santa Catarina State University, where he furthered his studies with Ione Urbano Sant'Anna ( a former pupil of Magda Tagliaferro ). Later, he studied for four years with the pianist Alberto Heller. He attended workshops and master classes from renowned teachers. He has appeared in recitals in Paphos, Cyprus and in the brazilian cities of Joinville, Florianópolis, Itajaí, Jaraguá do Sul and Aracaju.