Loretta Mento received her Bachelor of Music degree from Rowan University, where she studied piano with Steven Romanio. Upon graduation she studied with Harvey Wedeen and with Edith Hirshtel-Nahas, a celebrated student of Leon Fleisher. Loretta also received a Masters Degree in Piano from the University of South Carolina, where she continued her studies with John Adams and Charles Fugo.

Ms. Mento worked with Annie Petit and Seymour Lipkin, of the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School, respectively. She has also studied composition with Dr. Richard Goodwin of the University of South Carolina, and has written numerous works for solo piano and chamber ensembles.

Loretta’s recording of Mozart’s Fantasie was selected for the film "Seven Pounds" starring Will Smith. 

                

Duo Mento has several CDs available at Eroica Classical Recordings, including their latest, Diminuendo.

Of Duo Mento, Mason & Hamlin's Director of Artist Relations, Jan Glazier, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Steven and Loretta Mento to the Mason & Hamlin Artist roster.  As solo and duo performers they are exceptional interpreters, whom critics have lauded for their exquisite playing, clarity, colors and phrasing.  We are proud that they have made Mason &Hamlin their pianos of choice."   

Of the Mason & Hamlin piano, Steven Mento writes: "This does not belong to that class of clinical, bright, monochromatic sounding factory-made pianos. The Mason & Hamlin has a singing voice that makes human expression possible, and a rainbow of overtones along with a playing action that provides all of the proper tools needed to allow the artist to function at their highest level and to reap all of the fruits of their labor."

Loretta Mento, whose studio piano is a Mason & Hamlin Model B, adds her own thoughts: "When playing the Mason & Hamlin I am taken by its warmth and clarity, along with the feeling of complete physical integration with the instrument.  It gives the pianist a sense that all is right with their sound world."