Mateo is an internationally renowned classical guitar composer and performer. Described by the Miami Herald as a "World-class guitarist," Mateo's concerts of his original works are a combination of melodic passion and virtuoso ease. He is currently touring his new work, "Melodic Journey," 50 songs for the classical guitar that display a continuous stream of beautiful melodic compositions. The influence of other genres can also be heard in his music, including Spanish, bossa, romantic ballads, meditative, and flamenco.

Mateo began his classical guitar studies with two internationally renowned Spanish guitarists, Vicente Gomez in Los Angeles and Antonio Albanes in London. He also studied composition with John Lambert from the Royal College of Music. He began his performing career in the U.K. at the Edinburgh Festival. He was asked to join the Yehudi Menuhin concert series "Live Music Now" after hearing his composition, Dance #1. He toured England with them as a guitarist/composer. He made his London debut at Wigmore Hall in 1979. Mateo was a headliner on the Queen Elizabeth II cruise line. He performed as a soloist with orchestras on cruise lines for 10 years. More