The pianist Max Barros was selected as Soloist of the Year in 1985 by the São Paulo Art Critics Association. A dedicated champion of Brazilian music, he has given first performances and recorded several works by BrazilÂs most important composers. With the conductor Thomas Conlin he performed the North American premiÚre of Ronaldo MirandaÂs Concertino for Piano and Strings, and is the founder and president of Ponteio Publishing Inc., a company devoted to the preservation and dissemination of Brazilian music. Born in California and raised in Brazil, Max Barros has lived and taught since 1984 in New York City, where he is co-artistic director of the Ensemble for the Romantic Century. A Steinway artist, his performances in America are frequently recorded for National Public Radio. He holds a Master of Music degree from New York University.