Alejandro Acosta is a skilled guitarist and lutenist specialized in performing Renaissance and Baroque instruments from the lute family. His musical journey began at the National School of Music in Mexico City, where he pursued Classical Guitar Performance and obtained a BM degree under the instruction of Eloy Cruz. However, his fascination with Early Music sparked a deep interest in playing plucked instruments from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. In 2009, Alejandro received a prestigious grant from the Mexican Culture Foundation, enabling him to study Lute Performance with Joachim Held and Simon Lineé at the University of Arts in Bremen, Germany, where he earned a Master degree in 2013. As a lutenist, Alejandro has actively participated in numerous early music ensembles across Mexico, Germany, and the United States. He has performed with diverse early music groups and has also participated in opera productions as a continuo player. Additionally, he has been a member of the USC Collegium and the Baroque Sinfonia, where he has performed in several presentations, including standout concerts at the Young Performer Festival organized by Early Music America.
In the Fall of 2021, Alejandro was honored with an invitation to collaborate on a research project with the USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute. After extensive research, he provided transcriptions of Colonial music for the project, which was performed and recorded by members of the USC Baroque Sinfonia. This collaboration aimed to revive and reintroduce captivating music from the San Fernando Mission Archival Center of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to modern audiences. Alejandro focused his research on Colonial music in California as part of the requirements for his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at the USC Thornton School of Music, which he is currently pursuing.
Onur Alakavuklar (he/his) holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Guitar Performance with a Jazz-emphasized minor in Music Education from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Onur has claimed prizes in chamber music competitions and has performed with The Atlanta Opera, Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra, and various chamber music groups internationally. He has performed in Musical Theater bands, Jazz Bands and had solo recitals in Europe, Asia, and U.S.A.
During his doctoral studies at IU, Onur was an Associate Instructor for the Guitar Department and served on a team to organize and judge the IU International Guitar Festival and Competition. Onur has been teaching music professionally for more than a decade and has instructed students in Guitar, Piano, Guitar Composition and Jazz Arranging, Ukulele, Music Theory and Music History. Dr. Alakavuklar currently serves as a faculty member for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music School.
Onur holds a Master of Music degree from Texas State University and Bachelor of Music from Yasar University in Izmir-Turkey. In his free time, Onur works on music production and recording techniques, composes, and arranges novel classical and jazz guitar works for his upcoming solo recording album in 2024.
Highly praised by the international press, Denis Azabagic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (he/his), performs concerts around the world, maintaining a balance between his solo recitals, chamber music with the Cavatina Duo and Fandango quartet as well as engagements as soloist with orchestras.
Azabagic’s love for performing extends to sharing with others his knowledge of music making. He frequently offers master classes while on tour, teaches at the University of Illinois and is the head of the guitar department at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
He has won twenty-four prizes in international competitions and Mel Bay has published a book based on his experience and insights on the subject of competitions. Azabagic has recorded 13 CDs for international labels such as Naxos, Cedille, Opera Tres, Bridge records, Neos and Orobroy, as well as two DVDs for the Mel Bay Company. His recordings and live performances are highly praised by music critics, for his elegant approach to music and his unique way of communicating and reaching the audiences’ hearts.
As a guest instrumentalist and soloist Azabagic has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Chamber Orchestra, Madrid Symphony, Traverse Symphony, Monterrey Symphony, L’Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Mons, among many others. He has also collaborated with the Casals Quartet, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Civitas Ensemble and Music Now.
His repertoire includes solo and orchestral music from the Baroque era to the present. As half of the active Cavatina Duo (with Eugenia Moliner, flute), he has performed a vast repertoire including many works written expressly for the duo.
Denis Azabagic uses D'Addario strings.
Keith Barnhart (he/his) grew up in rural Montana. He began teaching himself rock guitar at age 13, and by his junior year of high-school was driving several towns over for a classical guitar lesson. He currently lives in Westminster, Colorado where he is an active performer and teacher.
One of Keith’s passions is performing on early plucked instruments including the lute, Baroque guitar and theorbo. He can be heard playing in multiple groups across the front range including the Boulder Bach Festival and UNC’s Ursa Consort. He has had the pleasure of playing basso continuo for opera productions with the University of Colorado, the San Francisco Conservatory, The American Bach Soloists Academy, the Amherst Early Music Academy and the University of Northern Colorado.
Believing in music's healing potential, Keith works as a Certified Music Practitioner. He is certified through the Music for Healing and Transition program and plays customized live therapeutic music at the bedside to create a healing environment for patients in hospitals, hospice and nurse care facilities in the area. As an educator, Keith teaches at several local studios and has sought out opportunities to share music with those who may otherwise not have access. As an instructor with Rocky Ridge Music Academy and Augustana Arts, he has offered ukulele classes to senior residents as well as ukulele and guitar to grade school children. He also teaches annually at Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp.
Keith received his Bachelors in Classical Guitar Performance in 2006 from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. While there he studied with Ricardo Iznaola, and Jonathan Leathwood. He received his Masters of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory in 2015 with an emphasis in Historical Performance, studying under Richard Savino and Marc Teicholz. Keith graduated in 2018 from the University of Colorado with a Doctorate of Musical Arts. While at CU he studied 10-string guitar with Nicolò Spera and studied the music of Albert Harris.
Daniel Bolshoy is an Assistant Professor in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, where he directs the guitar program. An Israeli-Canadian guitarist, he has performed as a soloist with over sixty orchestras internationally, and he appears on seven commercial recordings and two documentary films on the Bravo! TV network. His recordings and live performances are often broadcast on CBC Radio, NPR, and various classical music stations.
Dr. Bolshoy holds a D.M. in classical guitar from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. As a teacher, Dr. Bolshoy frequently presents masterclasses for guitar societies, universities, high schools, music festivals, and other organizations. His students have won scholarships to leading universities and conservatories and have won awards in prestigious competitions.
At the tender age of 16, Russ sold a pig to buy his first guitar. A Texas native transplanted to Colorado, Russ Callison (he/his) actively performs and teaches in the Denver metro area. Since earning his Master’s Degree in 2015, Russ has performed extensively in the US internationally, including a residency in France with his guitar & cello duo Solazur, a tour of Scotland with guitar duo Derelict Hands, and last summer performed at the Bali Arts Festival (PKB) as a member of Gamelan Tunas Mekar.
His formal training began at Collin College where he studied under Sabine Madriguera, There he participated in her award-winning One O’Clock Ensemble and earned two first prizes at the Brownsville Guitar Festival and Competition (2007 and 2010). While at Collin College, he was also awarded first prize in the advanced division of Collin College’s Annual Guitar Competition.
Russ attended the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music where he earned his Master’s degree under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed performers and pedagogues, Ricardo Iznaola and Jonathan Leathwood. His final recital at DU was recognized as one of the university's Outstanding Recitals in May 2015, and shortly after Derelict Hands took top prize in the ensemble division of the Southern Guitar Festival.
Doris Ćosić started her music path at the age of six in Velenje, Slovenia. Doris’s passion for music combined with her interest in medicine reflects in her collaboration with different non-profit organizations and outreach programs, as well as her desire to further research the field of music therapy. Another one of her passions is advocating for women in music and working on projects that showcase women composers and performers. She also continues to promote music of her heritage, and regularly performs compositions by Balkan composers.
Doris graduated with honors from USC Thornton School of Music in 2022, and she is continuing her studies there with Brian Head, Scott Tennant, and Bill Kanengiser in pursuit of a master’s degree. She has worked with many world-renowned guitarists throughout the years and learned from the very best, such as David Russell, Pepe Romero, Paolo Pegoraro, Mak Grgić, Gabriel Bianco, Margarita Escarpa, Paul O’Dette and many others.
She’s been competing on a national and international level since 2009; she’s received first prizes at a national and international level. Her most recent achievements are second prize at Gohar&Ovanes Andriassian Guitar Competition in Los Angeles (2019), and first prize at both CalASTA Los Angeles and CalASTA State Guitar competition (2020). She’s performed at numerous occasions, one of them being the GFA Las Vegas Symposium (2020). In 2020, she recorded her first solo videos at Guitar Salon International and was featured in their Artist Spotlight. She is currently a volunteer at LAC+USC Medical Center’s music program and enjoys sharing her love for music with their patients and staff. She also works at Virtual Guitar Orchestra as an assistant editor, where she’s created the very first all-women Virtual Guitar Orchestra in collaboration with Grammy-nominated Clarice Assad. She is actively participating in USC Guitar Orchestra and was the music director of USC all women a cappella group “Sirens” for two years, with which she recorded two albums.
Christian Cruz is a Mexican-American classical musician. As a native of Los Angeles, he grew up surrounded by the rock and hip hop scenes while simultaneously being influenced by the Latin American music of his own heritage. As a young guitarist he played rock in Hollywood venues such as the Whiskey A Go Go and the Roxy.
Christian began his studies as a professional musician at Fullerton College, where he focused on classical guitar and composition. He has studied classical guitar with Dr. Steve Thachuk and Grammy award winners William Kanengiser and John Dearman. Christian participated in the second annual Master in Classical Guitar Performance program in Seville where he performed numerous times at the chapel in the Alcázar of Seville.
He has received several awards including Best Composition Award and Audience Choice Award for his adaptation of so together, a poem written by former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera for the 2020 Fresno State Art Song Composition Competition as well as the 2020 Volterra Project Composers Award for his guitar trio Suite Homenajes.
Christian has a Bachelor of Music from California State University Northridge and a Master of Music from Southern California's Thornton School of Music both in classical guitar performance. He also holds a Master of Arts in Music Composition from Fresno State where he studied with Dr. Kenneth Froelich and Dr. Benjamin Boone.
Born into a multicultural and musical family, Sara grew up in Calabria, Southern Italy. After discovering music at an early age, she started playing guitar when she was nine and obtained her degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome.
Sara is an active performing artist, composer and educator with musical influences that span many genres. Since 2015, Sara has led the musical project “Sara and Kenny” (www.saraandkenny.com). She has lived in Rome, Tallinn, Milwaukee, London, Berlin, and now Chicago.
Born 1993 in Naples, Florida, Kacey has been studying classical guitar from the age of ten. While in Florida, Kacey studied with Rafael Padron and Thomas Koch. In 2013, Kacey moved to the city of Chicago to study with Denis Azabagic at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Kacey graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the Music Performance Award. Kacey has recently finished his graduate studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, studying under Denis Azabagic. Master classes with notable guitarists and pedagogues such as: Sergio Assad, Eden Stell Duo, Benjamin Verdery, Andrew York, and Margarita Escarpa have cultivated a thorough understanding of the various teaching methods and styles that exist in the guitar repertoire.
Nicholas Epple is pursuing his DMA in classical guitar at the University of Arizona with Tom Patterson and artists in residence David Russell, Odair Assad and Sergio Assad. Nicholas received first prize at the David Russell Bach competition in 2017 and was awarded second place at the Domaine Forget International Competition in Quebec in 2018. Nicholas has performed in France, Italy, Canada, and the states in workshops, festivals, and competitions. In the summer of 2015 he was awarded a full scholarship to study with Antigoni Goni in Volterra, Italy.
Ricardo Escobar is recognized as one of the outstanding guitarists on the current music scene, performing in recital and as a chamber musician and concerto soloist. He has appeared at many of the most prestigious guitar gatherings, including the Second American Guitar Congress and the Guitar Foundation of America Festival, as well as concert series and festivals in London, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Denver, and on tour throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe. He has been hailed as “…Un magnifico guitarista!” by maestro Pepe Romero, guitarist "Ricardo Escobar is blessed with hands that were born to play the guitar, and a passion for music that comes through in every performance."(Dr. Martha Masters).
“Mr. Escobar, who received an “ole” from Oscar Ghiglia after brilliantly executing the work's cadenza, stood out as a promising young artist.” - Soundboard magazine
Recipient of many awards and scholarships, Escobar has a Bachelors from Loyola Marymount University with Dr. Martha Masters, Master of Music from University of Southern California with Brian Head, Artist Diploma from Aosta Conservatory with Lorenzo Micheli, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California with Scott Tennant. He worked as assistant lecturer at Florida State University, and University of Southern California as a full scholar.
As a performer of Early Music, Escobar premiered works by Fernando Sor in a presentation with Sor scholar Brian Jeffery.
As a conductor, he has directed the Guitar Orchestras of The Guitar Foundation of America, the National Guitar Workshop, LMU and USC. He performed in the USC Guitar Orchestra in concert with Grammy Award winning guitarist William Kanengiser live on KUSC at the Los Angeles County Museum of the Arts.
Escobar is a recipient of the Excellence in Ensemble Award of the University of Southern California. He is a regular guest throughout Los Angeles and at guitar festivals where he teaches guitar, guitar history, and literature and coaches chamber music. Students from Escobar’s studio have received every performance and academic honor awarded by the Hamilton Music Academy and various music departments at universities throughout the USA.
Guitarist and conductor of the National University of Colombia. He studied for 2 years at the University of Chile and later was a beneficiary of the DAAD-Colfuturo program in Colombiato carry out his postgraduate studies at the Akademie für Tonkunst in Darmstadt, Germany. His guitar teachers include Sonia Díaz (Cuba), Luís Orlandini (Chile) and Tilman Hoppstock (Germany). He has been able to study with Pablo Márquez (Argentina) in different seminars and courses in La Paz, Argentina; Darmstadt, Germany; and Basel, Switzerland; In addition (or lastly),he has also participated in masterclasses with teachers like Pavel Steidl, Eduardo Fernández, Ricardo Cobo, John Deerman, René Izquierdo, Hopkinson Smith, among others.
He has given recitals in important auditoriums and concert halls in Colombia, as well as in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, the United States, and Germany, and has been the winner of several awards and scholarships from the National Stimulus Program of the Colombian Ministry of Culture.
He also holds a Master in Music Research from the International University of La Rioja, Spain, and is Associate Researcher at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Colombia. He has several publications of his works as a composer, orchestrator and arranger for different formats of chamber and symphonic music with the firm Punto Musical Editores.
He was a professor at the National University of Colombia and is currently a classical guitar professor and music researcher at the University of Cundinamarca in Colombia.
Pablo Gonzalez started studying classical guitar at the age of 14 at the Liceo Experimental Artístico under Professor Eduardo Gomez. In 2000, he began studies at the School of Fine Arts of the Universidad de Chile under Professor Ernesto Quezada, one of the most influential and prestigious pedagogues in the Chilean classical guitar scene. In 2010, Pablo was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue his Master's Degree in guitar performance at the University of Arizona under Prof. Thomas Patterson, being the first classical guitar performer ever in his native country to receive such an award. In 2011, he was awarded a Becas Chile (Chilean government award) scholarship to complement his Fulbright award. Upon graduation in 2013, Pablo was the recipient of a second Becas Chile award to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona, as well as an invitation to serve as a guest artist in the Latin American Guitar Festival in Chicago.
Pablo also has actively participated in the Tucson classical guitar scene. In October 2015, he performed for a private event organized by the Arizona Opera that took place at the historic Sosa Carrillo Freemont House, receiving tremendous positive accolades from attendees and organizers. He was recently a finalist in the prestigious Third Annual David Russell Bach Prize.
Adrian Martinez, a highly accomplished Mexican-American classical guitarist based in Los Angeles, has embarked on a remarkable musical journey, honing his guitar skills since the age of twelve. Guided by esteemed artists such as John Dearman from the renowned Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and the celebrated Steven Thachuk, Adrian pursued his studies at California State University of Northridge, ultimately earning both a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance.
Previously residing in Yokohama, Japan, Adrian collaborated with fellow artists, further enriching his musical career as a classical guitarist and teacher. During his time there, he achieved notable recognition as a finalist in prestigious classical guitar competitions, including the New Guitarist of Kanagawa's 44th competition in 2015 and the 2nd All Japan Guitar Competition in 2016. His unwavering passion and dedication continue to captivate audiences and inspire students within the vibrant musical world.
Throughout his career, Adrian Martinez has graced numerous distinguished venues and events, leaving an indelible impression on his listeners. Some notable performances include The Soraya in Northridge, California, as well as participation in the Guitar Foundation of America Regional Symposium in San Francisco. He has also showcased his remarkable artistry through captivating recitals at the Cypress Recital Hall in California State University of Northridge and the Westerbeck Recital Hall in Pasadena City College.
Ryan Moore is a Music Instructor with a strong focus in Classical Guitar and Music Theory/Ear Training. He has been teaching lessons in music both privately and within music schools for 15 years. Although his main concentration is in Classical Guitar Performance through all levels, he also has experience teaching Music Theory, Ear Training, and Chamber Ensemble in the classroom setting.
Ryan received his Master’s Degree in Music with a concentration in Classical Guitar under John Sutherland, founder of the classical guitar program at the University of Georgia and a former student of the Maestro Andrés Segovia. Ryan earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Georgia. As an Adjunct Professor at Truett-McConnell College, Ryan taught Applied Lessons in Classical Guitar, led the Guitar Chamber Ensemble, and taught courses in Sight-Singing/Ear Training. He also has years of experience as a guitar, bass, and piano teacher at various schools and studios in both Georgia and New York, including 106 West Music School, Music & Arts, Williamsburg School Of Music, and Portman’s Music.
Along with his academic work, Ryan has performed numerous solo classical guitar concerts, as well as with classical guitar duo and trio, in halls that include the University of Georgia, Truett-McConnell College, and the Morris Museum of Art. He has also recorded albums and performed original music with bands that have received press from Paste Magazine, as well as toured across the country.
Ryan’s teaching approach is influenced by his experience as both a performing musician and as a music educator. These experiences grant him the skills and knowledge needed to not only advance current students to greater heights of technical, interpretive, and creative musicianship but also to provide a strong technical foundation to new students. Along with this, a general openness towards varying styles and approaches through different vocabularies and methods of self-expression is always encouraged.
Zhivko Nikolov was born in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. He started playing classical guitar when he was 11 and his interest in the instrument guided the choice to continue his musical education at the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National School of Music and Fine Arts in Burgas, Bulgaria. During his youth studies he often performed as a soloist and with ensemble on various occasions such as: guitar seminars, festivals, and concerts.
Zhivko Nikolov moved permanently to the United States in 2007, and shortly after auditioned he was awarded a talent scholarship to continue his education in the Music Conservatory of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Since then, he had studied under the supervision of the well-known performer and Professor Denis Azabagic.
Mr. Nikolov has had the exceptional chance to meet and perform for several world-known artists such as: Marcin Dylla, Paul Galbraith, Elena Papandreo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Nicholas Golouses, Mathew Cochran, Eduardo Catemario, Zoran Dukic, Aniello Desiderio, and Berta Rojas. He has appeared on Make Music Chicago’s events as a soloist and a chamber musician, and his performances have been broadcasted on WFMT, Chicago. In June 2019 he appeared as a soloist, judge, and ensemble coordinator at the Chicago Guitar Festival.
Zhivko Nikolov participated and won prizes in the following competitions: “Singing Strings” (Gotse Delchev, 2003), The Balkan Classical Guitar Contest (Kyustendil, 2003), “Varban Varbanov Competition” (Burgas, 2004), 2nd prize in Louisville International Solo Competition (Kentucky, 2011) and a finalist in Wilson Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2014). He was also among the semifinalists in Rosario Guitar Competition (South Carolina), and Indiana International Guitar Competition (Bloomington, Indiana).
Teaching since 2006, Mr. Nikolov is currently teaching in Gasse School of Music, and and he is also Master Guitar Instructor for the program Lead Guitar (University of Arizona, Tucson) where he helps more than 200 students per week in a group setting.
Zhivko established his own music studio in 2017 under the name 6VibeZ Music Inc. His students perform on various occasions, participate in concerts, and have won prizes in the following competition: Chicago Guitar Festival (Chicago), SAM Competition (Chicago), Latin Arts Guitar Competition (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Indiana International Guitar Festival (Bloomington, Indiana).
At present, Mr. Nikolov teaches and performs in the Chicago area both as a soloist and in a duet with the flute-guitar Duo “Eutopia”.
Hoberdan Peno is a versatile guitar teacher, performer, classical/electric guitarist and singer. Passionate about teaching and using music to connect with others, Hoberdan has made significant strides in his musical career.He premiered a Guitar Concerto as a soloist in 2018 and was awarded in soloist competitions in 2017 and 2015. His performances include numerous guitar recitals and concerts with a Metalcore band called ARKHAM.
Hoberdan holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Performance, specializing in Classical Guitar. He is known for his clear communication, quick adaptation to work demands, and a strong belief in cooperative work.
Outside of his musical endeavors, Hoberdan enjoys working out, skateboarding, and engaging in various sports activities.
Originally from Mexico City, Iván Reséndiz studied classical guitar at the Higher School of Music of the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA).
In 2006 Iván Reséndiz arrived in the City of Chicago where he began his career as a guitar teacher with the community collective Arte y Realidad, offering classes to young people from Latino neighborhoods with gang problems and social marginalization on the south side of Chicago. During his tenure as a teacher, he participated in organizations focused on activism and social justice, giving classes and concerts at protests, meetings, and actions where the rights of immigrants, undocumented workers and students were demanded, as well as gender equality and the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Since 2010, Reséndiz has been the winner of thirteen international guitar competitions. As a soloist, he has participated in numerous Guitar Festivals in Mexico and the United States, as well as in Central and South American countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela. His participation in guitar festivals include master classes and a conference which exposes the benefits of art in the integration of cultures in countries with high levels of migration. This conference entitled "Undocumented Art" has been exhibited in several states of the United States and some European countries such as Austria and Germany.
Ivan Reséndiz was selected to represent Mexico in the World Guitar Competition held in Serbia in2012, where he was a finalist. He also represented Mexico in the diploma program in interpretation of Spanish music with worldwide recognition founded by maestro Andrés Segovia called “Música en Compostela” at the University of Galicia, Spain.
Currently, Iván Reséndiz continues with his music studies at Roosevelt University. He is also the founder and director of the Chicago Latin American Guitar Festival that he has carried out for nine consecutive years.
Juan Rivera (he/his) is a dedicated Mexican-American music scholar, arts educator, administrator, and classical guitarist with a strong commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the arts. Originally from Watsonville, California, Juan graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in music education and guitar performance, a minor in music industry, and a master’s degree in guitar performance. At UCLA, he was honored with several awards, including the Randy Rhoads Guitar Memorial Scholarship and the Dean’s Medal for community outreach. His involvement with the Herb Alpert School of Music’s outreach programs, where he served as a student teacher and later as music director and coordinator, fueled his passion for ensuring all students have access to quality music education.
With over ten years of experience, Juan has worked in K-12, higher education, and adult education. His current and past affiliations include the Young Musicians Foundation, UCLA Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, El Sistema Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Arts Council, and the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Before relocating to Chicago, he earned an Ed.M in Arts Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, focusing on emancipatory pedagogies, DEI in the arts, educational entrepreneurship, curriculum design, and financial management for nonprofit organizations. As a performer, Juan champions new music, premiering works by composers from Los Angeles and abroad. His interest in broadening public engagement with music led him to give a TEDx talk in 2018. While a metal enthusiast at heart, he has also performed in mariachi, bluegrass, and early music ensembles.
Juan is currently pursuing a PhD in music history and theory at the University of Chicago, where his research interests include 20th-century music, protest music, music law, and AI.
Ryan Roubison (he/his) is a guitarist, educator and composer from Phoenix Arizona. He has been an active musician in the Phoenix valley for nearly two decades, specializing in a range of musical styles from classical, to folk, and contemporary art music. In the summer of 2022, he took part in a residency at the St. Patrick Center in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where he served as Arizona’s Young Ambassador. During his travels in Ireland, Ryan gave a series of concerts around the country performing the music from his album ‘Songs from the Willow Glen’ -a collection of Celtic folk music that he’s arranged for the solo guitar. Ryan also serves as adjunct faculty at Paradise Valley Community College, where he teaches several guitar students and ensemble classes. He holds a Master’s of Music degree from Arizona State University.
Derick Sears is a Classical Guitarist based in Phoenix Arizona. He received his bachelor’s of arts in music from his hometown of Buffalo New York at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, NY and his masters at California State Fullerton before pursuing a doctoral degree at Arizona State University. Derick prides himself on working to perfect his performing art, while also focusing heavily on community building and engagement through professional experience in nonprofit arts. His studies and opportunities have taken him across the US and provided many performance and teaching opportunities. Derick has received masterclass teaching from Maestro Leo Brouwer, Scott Tenant, Rene Izquierdo, Thomas Viloteau, Iliana Matos, Douglas Lora, Andrea Gonzalez, Raphielle Feuillatre, and Luiz Zea.
Born in Biloxi, Mississippi David Sewell (he/his) began playing electric guitar at the age of 13 and by 16 was teaching guitar at a local music store to all ages and levels. His electric guitar influences drew him to classical music where he began his pursuit as a classical guitarist.
David earned his Bachelor's Degree in Guitar Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi under Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo. He was awarded a teaching assistantship at the University of Louisiana and went on to earn his Master’s in Guitar Performance with Dr. Jeffrey George. While earning his DMA at Arizona State University under renowned pedagogue Frank Koonce, David was honored with an additional teaching assistantship, and was privileged to study with South Korean virtuoso JIJI.
David has performed in masterclasses with celebrated guitarists such as Brasil Guitar Duo, Martha Masters, Francisco Bernier, Rene Izquierdo, Anton Baranov, Adam Holzman, and Marcin Dylla. He regularly works with other musicians performing a broad range of genres. As a passionate chamber musician, David has premiered a guitar orchestra piece “By Chants” written by notable composer/guitarist Andrew York with the Arizona Guitar Orchestra and the Grammy-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He received first prize in the UL Friends of Music Guitar Competition of 2016. Dr. Sewell’s further accomplishments include an arrangement of Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s Harpsichord Suite in A Minor for solo guitar. His first solo album of all harpsichord music is set to be released in 2020.
Residing now in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. David Sewell is a guitarist, arranger, educator and instructor for Lead Guitar. He is devoted to arranging unique repertoire for the guitar and teaching his students a wide variety of styles and techniques.
Andrew Lesley Smith (he/his) is a classical guitarist based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he performs both as a solo artist and as a founding member of the Augustine Strings sponsored ensemble Petrichor Duo. Recent notable performances include the Pinnacle Chamber Series, the Spirit of the Senses Concert Series, and former Senator John McCain’s state funeral at the personal request of the First Lady of Arizona. His playing is influenced by his interest in both very old and very new music for the guitar. In addition to performing his own compositions for solo guitar, Andrew frequently collaborates with composers to develop, premier, and publish new repertoire. Published works dedicated to Andrew can be found through Productions d’Oz and Tradurre Musica. He has been awarded travel grants to both perform and study internationally in Spain and Quebec.
As an educator, Andrew has taught guitar and music theory both privately and in the classroom to students of all ages and has spent multiple years on the teaching staff of the Texas Music Festival - Classical Minds. With Lead Guitar, Andrew works with hundreds of public school students in Phoenix and throughout Arizona each week, often traveling to the Apache and Navajo reservations. Andrew holds a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from ASU, where he taught undergraduate music majors as a Teaching Assistant for the renowned scholar Frank Koonce. Andrew began studying the guitar with the French guitarist Valerie Hartzell, and he completed his undergraduate degree with honors under Steve Kostelnik at Southwestern University. In addition to playing and teaching guitar, Andrew also builds guitars in his spare time. He has built both electric and classical guitars, and recently studied classical lutherie under master builder Sergei de Jonge. When he is away from the guitar, Andrew enjoys hiking, camping and backpacking throughout the southwest.
Fabrício received his Master of Music from Northwestern University and his Bachelor in classical guitar performance in the National Conservatory of Peru. Originally from Peru, he enjoys performing and teaching. He has taken master classes from internationally known guitarists such as Eduardo Fernandez, Oscar Ghiglia, and Judicael Perroy.
Fabrício has over 10 years of experience teaching all levels using a variety of methods and is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He has taught master classes and performed around Peru and the US. He is currently living in Chicago were he teaches in a private and group setting.
James Terrell is a guitarist, composer and music educator currently based in Athens, Georgia. He holds degrees in music from Columbus State University (B.M. Performance, guitar, 2007) and the University of Massachusetts (M.M. Composition, 2011) and is pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Georgia (Performance, guitar). He is an active performer both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles, and his repertoire spans the history of the guitar, from the Renaissance to premieres of new music by composers such as Kevin Day and Samuel Hoyland.
As a composer, Mr. Terrell has written concert music for all manner of ensembles and soloists as well as orchestral music and works for fixed media. Recently his compositions have been played by the Atlanta Symphony and Robert Spano and at the New Music on the Bayou festival. His principal teachers are Andrew Zohn and Daniel Bolshoy (guitar), and Bruce MacCombie, Salvatore Macchia and Adrian Childs (composition).
Alfredo "Freddy" Vazquez (he/his) has been amazing the stage since the age of 17 after his solo debut in Salzburg, Austria. Mr. Vazquez has won and placed in numerous guitar competitions such as the William Wolf, Thomas Schaffer, Maricopa County Artist of Promise competitions and, most recently, the Memphis International Competition.
Along with competing and performing, Mr. Vazquez has been a dedicated educator for many years. While in his early music education at Glendale Community College, under the tutelage of Charles Hulihan in classical guitar performance, he was a tutor and section leader for beginning guitar classes and ensembles. While studying with Prof. Tom Patterson and Dr. Renato Serrano at the University of Arizona while earning his Bachelors' Degree in Music, Mr. Vazquez had the opportunity to have multiple lessons with Grammy award winners David Russell, Sergio Assad, and Odair Assad each year. Mr. Vazquez has performed in master classes with world-renowned artists, such as Marcin Dylla, Judicael Perroy, Rene Izquerdo, Carlos Perez, and Vladimir Gorbach. In 2014, Mr. Vazquez won 1st Place in the William Wolf Competition, winning a 2015 Jeremy Cooper guitar.
Mr. Vazquez has premiered pieces and worked with many composers, such as Brad Richter’s guitar duo concerto “Last Man Standing” commissioned for the Tucson Guitar Society Orchestra and Phil Moloso’s “Guitar Trio.” During his graduate career at Oklahoma City University, studying with Matt Denman, Stephan Lochbaum, and Lynn McGrath, he had the opportunity to dive even deeper into music education. Being a part of two teams: one that created a local guitar curriculum for local high school programs; and a second that was associated with the guitar curriculum for ASTA (American String Teacher Association). During that time, Mr.Vazquez developed and instructed a guitar “technique boot camp” for the undergraduate class while also conducting the OCU Freshmen Guitar Ensemble. Alfredo Vazquez currently resides in Tucson, Arizona and is an adjunct guitar professor at Cochise Community College.
Erin Young is a musician and arts administrator based in Los Angeles. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where she studied with Scott Tennant, Brian Head, and Jason Yoshida. Erin has a passion for early music and was an active member of the USC Baroque Sinfonia, a period-instrument ensemble specializing in music from the seventeenth through mid-eighteenth century. She has performed with the early music ensemble, Ciaramella, and plays frequently with the Los Angeles based Delirium Musicum ensemble.
Erin worked in online music education as Head of Guitar at tonebase.co for over two years and is a certified Suzuki Guitar instructor. She currently works as Operations and Program Director for the international guitar education nonprofit Kithara Project, as Assistant Director of Elemental Guitar for nonprofit Elemental Music, and is actively involved with the Guitar Foundation of America, where she works as a Counselor for the annual GFA Guitar Summit.
Juri has risen as one of Canada’s top upcoming guitarists. He has performed in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Since2014, Juri has won top prizes in both Canada and the US. Most recently, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall.
Juri has studied with prolific guitarists such as Judicael Perroy, Meng Su, Sergio Assad, David Russell, Jeffrey McFadden, and many more. He completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Toronto under Jeffrey McFadden, his Master of Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under David Tanenbaum, and his artist diploma under Meng Su. Juri is currently a doctoral candidate at the USC Thornton School of Music where he studies under William Kanengiser.
Marina Jarrette (she/her) is an active performing artist, director, and singer-songwriter who believes strongly in arts accessibility and the transformative power of music.
Marina earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Music Theatre from Arizona State University, as well as certifications in State, Foundational, and Federal Grant Writing from the ASU Lodestar Nonprofit Center and certification in The Fox Method for trauma-informed nervous system regulation for artists. She has performed with multiple regional companies, including The Phoenix Theatre Company, Arizona Broadway Theatre, and The Phoenix Symphony. Her work as a singer-songwriter debuted at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, and she wrote and composed a new musical (Legendary) which was a finalist at the Headwaters New Play Festival in Colorado, a semifinalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Musical Theatre Conference, and an invitational recipient for the ASCAP New Musical Workshop with Stephen Schwartz in Los Angeles. She has directed for projects like Pride and Prejudice, Parade, and the Seattle 48-Hour Film Festival. She also works with The Bridge Initiative, an Arizona-based nonprofit advocating for gender equity in the arts, attending board meetings and serving on the audience building and artistic selection committees.
Marina is passionate about the inherent value of artistic expression in all forms, and is excited to be helping Lead Guitar champion accessible music education for everyone.
Nick Lenio
Director of Instruction and Regional Director for Colorado
Nick Lenio (he/his) has dedicated the past 10 years to music education in public schools and has been teaching with Lead Guitar since 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting from Messiah College. Nick served as Director of Bands at Lebanon High School in Lebanon, PA for three years before moving to Colorado to be the Director of Bands at Basalt Middle School and Basalt High School.
During the 7 years that Nick directed the 5th-12th grade bands at Basalt, the program grew from ~150 students to over 330 students. In 2015, Nick was named “Music Teacher of the Year” by Jazz Aspen Snowmass. In 2016, he was nominated and became a semi-finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award.
His New Orleans-style street band, the Basalt StreetHorns, has performed for many local events and as an opening act for groups such as Train, Andy Grammer, Michael Franti, and Lionel Richie. As a local musician, Nick is in high demand; performing on guitar, bass guitar, and trombone.
Outside of the classroom, Nick spends as much time as possible trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking, and snowboarding with his wife and pups.
Brad Richter (he/his) is the executive director and co-founder of Lead Guitar. Equal parts performer, composer, and educator he has made nearly one-thousand concert appearances in North America and Europe - more than fifty of which were aired on NPR’s Performance Today. Since completing his Master’s degree in classical guitar at The Royal College of Music in London, Brad has performed around the globe with artists such as nine-time Grammy winner David Finckel. Brad is the winner of the National Fingerpicking Championship, the International Composer’s Guild Competition, and the National Music Teachers Association’s commissioned composer award, and he was the first guitarist ever to win the Royal College of Music’s Thomas Mohrherr Prize. He is a sought-after collaborator with artists such as cellist Viktor Uzur with whom he tours as the Richter Uzur Duo, his former mentor from the Royal College of Music, Carlos Bonell, and Broadway star Ben Vereen, as well as The Pacifica String Quartet and The Phoenix Chorale. Brad also enjoys several long-term collaborations as an artist-in-residence, including more than a decade with the Aspen Music Festival and School.
As a composer, Brad is known for his own brand of genre-mashing chamber music. Winner of the International Composer’s Guild Competition, his major commissions have included Navigating Lake Bonneville, a concert-length work for Weber State University; Duo Concerto for Cello and Guitar, co-written with Viktor Uzur for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra; Fragments Transcending, premiered by David Finckel; Devil in the Details, commissioned by the National Music Teachers Association; and the musical score for an episode of the Emmy award-winning PBS series The Desert Speaks. Brad’s collections of concert music for solo guitar are published by Mel Bay, Acoustic Music Records, GSP, and Sky Island Music.
In his role as Director of Outreach for the College of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, Brad collaborates with CFA faculty and leaders in the field of arts education to develop and operate the CFA in Schools programs, based on the Lead Guitar model. Between Lead Guitar and CFA in Schools, he oversees a carefully selected staff of 23 part- and full-time arts professionals in operating programs in 60 schools in five states.
Jennifer Roberts (she/her) is the Director of Operations for Lead Guitar, managing multiple aspects of the day-to-day functionality of the organization. Before joining Lead Guitar, Jennifer taught public high school for over 10 years, starting as a Theatre teacher, then shifting to U.S. History and Mock Trial (a competitive legal program). She earned multiple teaching awards during her decade in the classroom.
Jennifer found teaching later in life after working for America Online as a supervisor and recruiter, and as the director of a local non-profit. She started her teaching journey after earning a Bachelor in Theatre Arts Education. While she eventually shifted to her other content passion of history, she appreciates the power of arts education and knows first-hand how impactful the arts can be in the lives of students and their communities.
Jennifer is excited to join the Lead Guitar team and support its mission to bring music education and performance opportunities to children all over the nation.
