Mario Pedone was born on October 5, 1951, in Valenzano, a small town near Bari, in Southern Italy. In an effort to improve the family’s financial situation the Pedones immigrated to Valencia, Venezuela in 1959. Mario’s older brother, Ludovico had begun to study the accordion and Mario was always watching him hoping one day he would also play this wonderful instrument. He persistently begged his father to let him start accordion lessons too and eventually succeeded.
His first teacher was Franco Cupertino. Mario devoted at least four to five hours per day practicing and after a few years professor Miguel Casas Auge, founder and Director of the Valencia Accordion Club and Conductor of the Valencia Symphony Orquesta, assumed Mario’s Accordion Education.
He was followed by Professor Roberto Ruscitti, a renowned classical accordionist, who took care of Mario’s education for the next seven years.
On March 24, 1972 Mario graduated as a “CONCERTISTA” from the school “ACADEMIA DE ACORDEON SMITH” directed by Roberto Ruscitti. In March of 1974 he earned a “CUM LAUDE” Diploma in accordion from the same school. On April 30, 1976 Mario graduated with a degree of “PROFESSOR OF ACCORDION” from the same school. After graduation Mario founded his own accordion school “ACADEMIA DE ACORDEON LATINA” where he had over 125 students. Most of his former students are now playing professionally. Mario was also member and co-founder of the “OROUESTA LATINA” together with famous Spanish singer Esteban Abarca. The Orquesta Latina performed all over Venezuela.
Mario has won numerous championships on Accordion and the Organ.
In 1981, in search of a better future, Mario moved to Sugar Land, Texas with his wife and children. He has his own recording studio in Sugar Land where he has arranged and recorded hundreds of tunes including many of his own compositions. His musical range includes, but is not limited to, Classical, Latin, European, American Standards. He also produces CDs and cassettes for other musicians.
Mario was invited to perform in the Famous Accordion Festival celebrated in Ransater Sweden and has also performed at concerts in Venezuela, Colombia, New York, Dallas, San Antonio Accor. Club, Austin, Boston, Montreal, Victoria BC, Calgary AB. Canada, and many other states in the U.S.
Founder of the Fort Bend County Accordion Club, at the moment Mario Holds the position of President of the Houston Accordion Club.
