A graduate of the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa, José Maria Bessone has performed both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles across various Portuguese venues, taking part in public concerts, musical outreach initiatives, charity events, and live broadcasts on the national radio station Antena 2.

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He studied piano under Artur Pizarro and Paulo Pacheco, as well as chamber music with the latter. His musical education further includes studies in harpsichord and basso continuo with Elisabeth Joyé, as well as improvisation in historical styles on the organ with António Esteireiro. He also studied orchestral conducting with Jean-Marc Burfin for two years (2023/24), aiming to bring a symphonic scope to his musical approach.

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The pianist began his studies in Figueira da Foz with Luís Rodrigues at the David de Souza Conservatory of Music, where he excelled in several piano competitions. He continued his studies at the Coimbra Conservatory of Music, studying piano with Catarina Peixinho, basso continuo with Júlio Dias, and musical analysis with David Miguel. Having developed an interest in composition, he later studied it with Eli Camargo Jr. His first experience with orchestral conducting took place at the Porto Conducting Lab under Jan Wierzba, and his curiosity about early music led him to the Stage de Clavecin de Tonnerre in France in 2022.

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He has participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned artists, including Guigla Katsarava, Małgorzata Walentynowicz, António Rosado, and Helena Basilova (Piano); António Chagas Rosa, Andrew Watkinson, Evan Rothstein, Meagan Milatz, and Paul Wakabayashi (Chamber Music); Olivier Latry and Franz Josef Stoiber (Organ and Improvisation); and Christophe Coin, Fernando Miguel Jalôto, and Cristiano Holtz (Early Music).

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He has taught private piano lessons to students of all ages and worked as a teacher and collaborative pianist at the Lisbon Conservatory (academic year 23/24), helping them cultivate a love for music.

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Bessone nurtures a keen interest in the arts, particularly literature, and was awarded First Prize in the poetry category of the Dra. Cristina Torres Literary Competition in Figueira da Foz.

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He is set to make his Madrid debut on May 29 and will participate in the Orford Piano Masterclass in Canada in July, where he intends to settle in pursuit of new opportunities for artistic and personal growth.