hiː stˈʌdid kˌɑːmpəzˈɪʃən ɪnˈɪʃəli wɪð ɑːɹmˈændoʊ ɹˈɛnzi ænd ɹˈɑːbɚtˌoʊ lˈuːpi, lˈeɪɾɚɹ ɛnɹˈoʊlɪŋ æt ðə pɛsˈæɹoʊ kənsˈɜːvətˌoːɹi wˌɛɹ hiː stˈʌdid wɪð bˈɔːɹɪs pˈoːɹnə, ɹᵻsˈiːvɪŋ hɪz dɪplˈoʊmə ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti.
He studied composition initially with Armando Renzi and Roberto Lupi, later enrolling at the Pesaro Conservatory where he studied with Boris Porena, receiving his diploma in 1970.