One of the finest musicians of her generation, Maria João Pires continues to transfix audiences with the spotless integrity, eloquence, and vitality of her art.

She was born in 1944 in Lisbon and gave her first public performance in 1948.

Since 1970 she has dedicated herself to reflecting on the influence of art on life, community, and education, and in trying to develop new ways of implementing pedagogic theories within society. In the last 10 years she has held many workshops with students from all round the world, and has taken her philosophy and teaching to Japan, Brazil, Portugal, France, and Switzerland.