BIOGRAPHY
Hélio Tanomaru was born in Naruto, Japan, and was naturalized in Brazil. An accomplished classical pianist, Hélio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of São Paulo (USP). His works reflect the influence of two important figures in the classical musical scene: Marisa Lacorte and Jovanni-Rey de Pedro.
With more than 4 years of online piano teaching experience under his belt, Hélio has taught piano technique with body mapping, and music interpretation to students from the United States, Japan, Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda, United Kingdom, Indonesia and all regions of Brazil.
Hélio’s formula for success as a piano teacher involves his application of anatomical knowledge, physics, and broad musical expertise, as well as teaching through demonstration, comparison, and logic-based explanations. In addition to being a teacher, and a soloist, Hélio is also a composer, and lecturer of piano technique. He has also created, and currently runs an online piano group, where he teaches lessons on harmony, improvisation, composition and the piano technique.
Hélio has undertaken lessons and masterclasses with a vast array of internationally-renowned pianists and teachers such as: Guigla Katsarava (France), Jovanni-Rey de Pedro (USA), Clélia Iruzun (England), Jani Parsons (Canada), Alan Huckleberry (USA), Rosa Maria Tólon (Cuba), Ana Maria Orduz (Colombia), Michael Gurt (USA), Simone G. Machado (Brazil), Eduardo Monteiro (Brazil), Luciana Sayure (Brazil), Ney Fialkow (Brazil), Marisa Lacorte (Brazil), Mauricy Martin (Brazil), Asami Hagiwara (Japan), Lucas Thomazinho (Brazil) and others.
Hélio began studying piano at the age of 8 with Yara Biagiotto in Lins, São Paulo. He then went on to study with Ana Maria M. Guadanucci at the Conservatório Musical de Lins.
Following his studies at the Conservatory, Hélio furthered his pianistic technique and knowledge under the guidance of Rosa Maria Tólon (Cuba), João Fernando Paluan and Eduardo Santangelo. At the age of 19, Hélio began his undergradate studies in Piano Performance at the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Campus, where he studied with Fernando C. Corvisier and Simone G. Machado.
Hélio has participated in various festivals, congresses and workshops, where he has also had the privilege of taking lessons with, and masterclasses from notable pianist-teachers, such as Guigla Katsarava (France), Clélia Iruzun (England), Eduardo H. S. Monteiro, Sheila Paige (USA), Marisa R. Lacorte, Luciana Sayure Shimabuco, Jovanni-Rey V. de Pedro (USA), Alejandro Cremaschi (Argentina), Asami Hagiwara (Japan), Jani Parsons (Canada), Alan Huckleberry (USA), Ney Fialkow, Ana Maria Orduz (Colombia), Mauricy Martin, Lilian Carneiro Mendonça, Geoffrey Haydon (USA), Leslie Spotz (USA).
Moreover, Hélio has performed at several important festivals, such as 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th International Piano Festival of Piracicaba, 18th Festival of Music in the Mountains, the 2nd and 3rd International Piano Festival of Vale do Aço, and 1st and 3rd USP Piano Workshop. Upon completing his studies at the University of São Paulo, Hélio went on to further his pianistic studies under the guidance of the great pianist Jovanni-Rey de Pedro of Samford School of Arts. Shortly after, he continued his studies with Marisa Rosana Lacorte.