Born in Sintra, João Pinto (b. 1998) is a Portuguese composer and pianist based in Vienna, where he is currently completing his Master’s in Composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw) with Oscar Bianchi and Jorge Sánchez-Chiong. During his studies, he also had the opportunity to study with other renowned composers, including Clara Iannotta, Mirela Ivičević, and Karlheinz Essl.

His music has found space in international festivals and academies such as MIXTUR Festival (Spain), Quatuor Diotima Academy (France), Bled Contemporary Music Week (Slovenia), and Suena Festival (Austria), and has been performed by ensembles and musicians including Divertimento Ensemble, Fabrik Quartet, and ARGO Kollektiv.

Through his participation in masterclasses and workshops, he has also worked with composers such as Rebecca Saunders, Catherine Lamb, and Mauro Lanza.

In 2024 and 2026, he was a finalist for the Ö1 Talentebörse-Kompositionspreis, awarded by Austria’s public radio, and more recently received the Engagement Prize of the Berliner Kompositionspreis 2026. His upcoming projects include new works for Airborne Extended, ARGO Kollektiv, and Quatuor Diotima.