Paolo André Gualdi began studying piano with his father at the age of five, and continued at the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. He received his diploma cum laude from the Conservatory Arrigo Boito in Parma under the tutelage of Roberto Cappello, and in 2002 he obtained a Masters Degree in Piano Performance at Carnegie Mellon University, studying with Enrique Graf. He has participated in master classes with György Sandor, Earl Wild, and Menahem Pressler.

Mr. Gualdi has won the top prize in the European Competition of Ostuni, the Altruda National Competition of Vasto and the Françoise Grimaldi National Competition of San Polo. Winning the “De Martino Award” at the Ibla International Piano Competition enabled him to study at Elon University with Dr. Victoria Fischer. During this period he won first prize and the 15th Bartók-Kabalevsky International Competition in Virginia.

Mr. Gualdi has played solo and chamber music recitals in Italy and the United States and been featured soloist with the Parma Wind Orchestra, the Warren Civic Orchestra, and the UGA Symphony Orchestra. In Italy he has given recitals for the A.Gi.Mus. (Associazione Giovanile Musicale), Accademia Ori, Amici del Conservatorio di Parma, and Accademia Amadeus. He has also performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival USA.

Prior to joining the faculty of Francis Marion University, Paulo served on the faculties of Elon University, Emmanuel College, and Oxford College of Emory University.  He is completing the DMA in piano performance from the University of Georgia with Dr. Evgeny Rivkin.