Mario Pearson was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, during that country’s Apartheid era. As a child he received early musical training through the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College of Music. He has been involved with church music since the age of 12 when he became church organist for his local parish. His family came to the United States in 1983 and settled in Fairmont, West Virginia. After graduating with a K-12 music education degree with emphasis on piano and organ performance at Fairmont State College, he moved to Florida in 1988 to begin a career of service to several faith and education communities.

He holds a Master's and Doctorate in Education and Administration, and has spent the past few years as an adjunct professor of education at Daytona Beach Community College. He also acts as a professional music consultant and clinician to churches and choral and theater performing groups.

Prior to his appointment at the Cathedral, he served as director of music and liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he developed many diverse music and liturgy programs within the faith community besides serving as band director in the school. He is active as a composer and arranger of choral and instrumental music.

In September 2006, he was named the director of Music and Liturgy for the Cathedral. Since coming on board in November of 2006, he continues to develop and expand the Cathedral's music and liturgy programs.