Mr. Ladd is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the young, up and coming classical guitarists. In 1997 he received second place in the American String Teachers Association regional competition held in Richmond, Virginia, and in 2000 he received second place in the Appalachian Guitar Festival Solo Guitar Competition held in Boone, North Carolina. Most recently, he has been accepted into the 20/20 Performance Program at The Hartt School in Connecticut where he is presently enrolled on a full scholarship in their DMA program in guitar performance.

      He performed in the world premiere of the contemporary opera, The Birthday of the Infanta, written by Russell Woolen, which opened at the Kennedy Center in 1993. In 1999, he performed in the world premiere of Credo-Song Cycle for Voice and Guitar written by Nicholas Ascioti. In 2000 he performed the world premiere of Three Quandaries Regarding Thought written by Leif Ellis. Most recently, Mr. Ladd premiered 0scuridades written by Dan Roman.

      Mr. Ladd received his Bachelors and Masters of Music in Guitar Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory, where he studied guitar with Glenn Caluda and lute with Joseph Mayes. Furthermore, he has studied with Larry Snitzler of George Mason University in Virginia and presently studies with Richard Provost at The Hartt School.

      He has attended, as a performer, master classes with Christopher Parkening, Julian Gray, Jad Azkoul, Douglas James, Raphaella Smits, Elena Papandreau, and most recently with Roland Dyens.

      In addition to his solo performances, Mr. Ladd is a member of Duo Elegy with flutist Nicole Ladd. The duo has performed for Vice President Al Gore at his residence in Washington, D.C. and at the Viennese Opera Ball, hosted by the Austrian Embassy. In 2000, Duo Elegy premiered The Birch Whispers and A Solemn Procession written by Ty Alan Emerson. Most recently, the duo premiered a work, which they commissioned Leif Ellis to compose entitled Dedication.