About Mario
Mario is a guitarist and music educator who understands music as both structure and expression. For him, music is built on mathematics and science, but its true power lies in how organised sound can communicate emotion, meaning, and intention. His teaching balances clarity, discipline, and enjoyment, helping students not only understand music, but genuinely connect with it. Cultural Roots & Musical Style Mario's musical language is shaped by Latin music, jazz, and Brazilian music, traditions where rhythm, harmony, and feel are inseparable. These styles strongly influence how he approaches both performance and teaching, emphasizing groove, harmonic awareness, and musical conversation rather than mechanical repetition. This background allows Mario to guide students through multiple musical worlds while building a solid, transferable foundation. - Understanding how harmony functions across styles - Developing musical independence, not reliance on patterns - Learning to listen, react, and make musical choices in real time Teaching Philosophy & Approach Mario's teaching combines: - RCM-based methods for reading and fingerpicking - Music theory and harmony for improvisation - Ear training and musical awareness - Repertoire-focused learning, tailored to each student Lessons are designed so students understand what they are playing, why they are playing it, and just as importantly enjoy the music they are working on.
What Mario teaches
- Guitar
- Harmony
- Brazilian music
- Samba
- Bossa nova
- Choro
- Pagode
- Partido alto
- Forro
- Maracatu
- Frevo
- Baiao
- MPB
- Afro-Cuban
- Salsa
- Rumba
- Son
- Reggae
- Funk
- Soul
- Jazz
Lessons with Mario
- Teaches Guitar · Theory & Feel
- Based in Vancouver
- 15 years teaching
- Speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish