Mateo spent a summer with a cousin who lived in Spain at 17, then in university studied, worked, and traveled in Mexico. Straight out of university he lived with the Cofan tribe in the rainforest of Ecuador, and then hiked alone throughout the Andes mountains in Peru. He created an album and concert around the Spanish influence of music around the world. The concert, notably the only one he ever premiered outdside of Benaroya Hall, was filled with Spanish Flamenco, Argentince Tango, Mexican Salsa, and more dance and music from around the world.