Music and Mentorship: A Visit to Pedro Pinto’s Studio in the Algarve
Less than a mile from the beautiful beaches of Armação de Pêra, in a quiet residential neighbourhood, Pedro Pinto lives in an unpretentious, comfortable, and very well-maintained house. I came here to shoot part of a documentary series about the music scene in the Algarve and was somewhat baffled by the serene, domestic scene surrounding me.
As Pedro comes out to the street to greet me, I have no idea what to expect as we head into his basement. I step into a pristine, perfectly outfitted recording studio, with state-of-the-art equipment that exudes a sense of being built with both passion and precision. The incongruity of it all still sinks in as he hands me an excellent cup of java and introduces me to the crew currently recording at his studio.
There’s 25-year-old hip-hop artist, Sina from Alvor and singer-songwriter Rita Barata, visiting from the north. She is collaborating with Sina while also recording some of her own new work. The overall vibe is one of relaxed, friendly professionalism as we chat about the documentary project I am working on with my friend Guilherme Faust.
As we converse, I learn that Pedro is more than just the owner of the studio; he is also a professor of music at the University of Faro and a perennial fixture in the emerging music scene of the Algarve. The two young musicians regard Pedro more as a mentor than just a producer, and there is no doubt that he has played a significant role in their journey. While he produces beautifully clean and well-balanced tracks, he also provides musical direction and career advice. For their part, the two recording artists are an anomaly in the world of music—soft-spoken, humble, yet incredibly focused and driven, they seem to live for their art while effortlessly bouncing between light-hearted banter and profound, thoughtful conversation.
As the recording session continues, I discover that Pedro first launched the studio in 2003, with Kimahera officially born in 2005. Reflecting on this journey, he explains, “The idea of starting the studio came from my growing interest in recording my own music. At the time, there wasn’t a place nearby with the right conditions to do it with quality. It really came out of necessity — and the feeling that I could make a difference!” He emphasises that while it began with him, “it was never just about my solo project, Reflect,” as he has shared the space with fellow musicians from the start.
What sets it apart are a few unique elements: Pedro’s wife, Laura, owns a dance studio, Emotion Dance Academy, less than a mile away, where many of the musicians have their choreographies supervised and created by the intrepid Laura. Moreover, the stunning allure of the Algarve’s beaches and cliffs provides a dramatic backdrop for music videos while serving as inspiration for future creations. “Emotion Dance Academy was born 20 years after Kimahera, in 2023, with the same goal — but applied to dance: to create a space where children, teenagers, and adults can freely express their emotions, and find the right conditions to dance with quality,” Pedro shares.
Over the years, Pedro has worked with a wide range of artists from different countries, genres, and disciplines, including podcasters and audiobook creators. “Yes, the studio has welcomed several projects from people outside Portugal, or from foreigners living in the Algarve, who are looking for a comfortable and inspiring place to work on their music, whether artistic or commercial. We’ve recorded albums, ads, and even audiobooks,” he reveals.
The two young musicians’ respect for Pedro is palpable, and it is clear he has been instrumental in cultivating their talent. “Everyone who visits us falls in love with the fact that you can walk out of the studio and be at the beach in under 10 minutes,” Pedro reflects on the appeal of their location. “It’s a quiet town for most of the year, but in the summer, it fills up with life and tourists. We enjoy the calm, but also the energy Armação de Pêra brings in the summer. Being in the heart of the Algarve also matters. For us, it’s home — and for those who visit, it often becomes that too. And that’s something beautiful.”
As I leave Kimahera, I am struck by a tangible sense of optimism. It is clear to me that this is what music is supposed to do—bring people together, carry meaning, and create something long-lasting. In Pedro’s studio, that spirit is bursting from the seams and is very much alive and well.
Instagram.com/emotion.danceacademy
