He was the first prize winner in every guitar competition he entered, among them the "Young Instrumentalists Competition" (sponsored by "Rede Globo de Televisão") and the "1st National Guitar Competition" (sponsored by "Banco do Brasil"). In 1979, he participated in the XXII Course of “Musica en Compostela” - Spain, where under the supervision of Andrés Segovia's assistent José Tomás, he received the “most exceptional student” award and a full scholarship for the following year.

              According to the guitarist Maria Luisa Anido, Edson Lopes is "an extraordinary guitarist, that surprised her for his technical reliability, instrumental domain, sonorous delicacy and his delightful interpretive technique".

              Edson Lopes performed throughout Brazil as a soloist, in duos, trios and with orchestra. As an integrant of the Brazilian Guitar Quartet, he performed in the cities of Houston, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Albuquerque, Hollywood, Indianapolis, Washington DC, New York among others. In 2005 the Quartet participated in the “33rd Arts Festival” in Hong Kong, in the “VII Internacional Guitar Festival” in Monterrey, México and in 2006 in the “V International Guitar Festival” in the city of Aarhus, Dinamarca.

              With the Quarteto Vivace Brasil (Flute, 2 Guitars e Percussion) he performed in tours throughout United States including the cities of New York, Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco receiving great reviews:

    “The concert was wonderful, and we had the largest crowd we have had in the five years that I've been doing the series.  Only a few scattered seats unfilled.  I think everyone had a great time.  Thanks for sending them our way.”

—Harmon Greenblatt, University of New Orleans

    “QVB gave a wonderful concert on Sunday. They're a great bunch, and are really dedicated to making the group work. I especially enjoyed the Brazilian half of the music. There is a real element of fun and authenticity that the percussion gives to the samba and choro arrangements! They were first rate performers in every sense of the term.”