Mario was born in 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 also could play this wonderful instrument. He persistently begged his father to let him start accordion lessons, too, and eventually succeeded. As a young man he devoted at least 4 to 5 hours per day practicing until his father screamed GIVE US A BREAK but that didn't stop Mario from playing his beloved instrument.
While in Venezuela, Mario graduated as a Concertista, Cum Laude, and finally with a degree of Professor of Accordion. After graduation Mario founded his own accordion school where he had over 125 students. Many of his students now play professionally. Mario has won numerous championships with both the accordion and the organ.
In 1981, in search of a better future, Mario moved to Sugar Land, Texas, with his wife and children. He continues to teach and perform professionally and has his own recording studio in Sugar Land.
His musical range includes, but is not limited to, Classical, Latin, European, and American Standards. Mario has been invited to perform in the Famous Accordion Festival celebrated in Ransäter, Sweden and has also performed at concerts in New York, Dallas, Austin, Boston, and many other states in the U.S.
Many of Mario's students feel that Mario is too modest and that with more exposure he would quickly be recognized as a musical genius who has devoted his life to the pursuit of accordion musical perfection.