| NAME | Short Bio |
|---|---|
Alex Pollock | Education: B.M. (2015) & M.M. (2017) in Classical Guitar Performance-Rowan University Style: Classical, Rock Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Location: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Alex Pollock is a classical guitarist from New Jersey. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Master’s in Classical Guitar Performance from Rowan University in 2017 where he studied under Kathleen Mayes. He has performed at various venues around New Jersey including the Wilmington Guitar Society, Rowan University, and the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society. He also performed at the 2016 NJMEA Classical Guitar Festival as part of his classical guitar duo, Dulcet Guitar Duo, which in 2018 won the Texas A&M Guitar Ensemble Competition. Alex is a member of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society & Wilmington Classical Guitar Society. Alex is also a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society. Alex teaches private music lessons in Kenne: Square Pennsylvania. He is active on Facebook and Instagram at Alexpollockguitar. Videos and info on his duo can be found at dgduo.com. Website: PollockMusicLessons.com Contact: PollockMusicLessons@gmail.com or 856-777-8959 |
Behdad Moghaddasi | Behdad is a celebrated guitarist, composer and teacher, He studied at Tehran University. His talent was quickly recognized leading to performances with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Bahman Symphony Orchestra and the Tehran Chamber Orchestra. He also was a professor at Tehran Azad University. Upon immigrating to the United States in 2000, Behdad embarked on a career in both performing and teaching - he is sought after for master class instruction. Behdad has performed and been interviewed on WHYY, Philadelphia's public broadcating station. He is active with the Classical Guitar Society of Philadelphia. Behdad has also held various educational Workshops both in Tehran and the United States. These workshops include a workshop on 20th century guitar: the studies of Villa Lobos and Leo Brouwer at Tehran University, a Workshop on contemporary and Programmatik music at University of Tehran. From 2004-2008 he also held various workshops on Baroque and Modern music. He has given master classes at the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Festivals on the understanding of rhythm in chamber music performances. Style: Classical Level: Beginning, Intermediate , Advanced. Master Class 112 Marple Rd Haverford, PA 19041 Home: (610) 649-1181 Cell: (610) 283-2172 BEHDADM1@GMAIL.COM www.behdad-guitar.com |
| Brian Pearson | Aaron Shearer Method, Studied with Michael Decker, Master Classes with Aaron Shearer, Christopher Parkening Style: Classical Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced Chalfont, PA 18914 215.822.7819 email: janeandbrian94@aol.com |
| Caroline Kubach | A.S. from Rowan College at Burlington County B.M. from Rowan University, Cum Laude M.M. from Rowan University, Summa Cum Laude. One of the headlining performers at the 2017 Women of the Guitar Festival Performs in a classical guitar duo, Dulcet Guitar Duo (won 1st place at Texas A&M University Guitar Ensemble Competition (2018). Available for concerts, gigs, and special events Style: Classical, Pop, Folk, Rock Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Intermediate/advanced Email: carkubach@gmail.com Dulcet Guitar Duo |
| Daniel Boring | Director of Classical Guitar Studies Montgomery County Comm. College Former Faculty Univ. of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Univ. of Louisville (’98-05), Faculty: Muhlenberg College, Settlement School, Masterclasses with: Assads, Barto, Ghiglia, Holzman,Iznaola, LAGQ, North. Style: Classical, Romantic Guitar,Lute and Historical Instruments Level: Beginning,Intermediate, Advanced 417 Norfolk Road Flourtown, PA 19031 215.836.8444 email: danielboring@comcast.net |
| Don Golfen | BM in Classical Guitar Performance from Temple Univ/Boyer College, student of Peter Segal Former Settlement Music School faculty. Masterclass with Narciso Yepes. Studied folk and acoustic blues styles with Jerry Ricks. Style: Classical Level: Beginner through Advanced 1501 S Keystone Ave Upper Darby, PA 19082 610-348-5854 email: dgolfen@verizon.net |
George Attisano | Style: Classical, folk, pop, fingerstyle Level: Beginner to intermediate Tesching Location: Philadelphia Studied guitar at the American Institute of Guitar in New York, and privately with Jerome Mouffe in Boston and Chris Ladd in Connecticut. Performed solo and in ensembles in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. BA, Rutgers University. Candidate for Master’s Degree in Classical Guitar Performance, Temple University Contact email: georgeattisano@gmail.com |
| James Hontz | DMA from Peabody (2006); Faculty appointments at Dickinson College, Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College, Frederick Community College, Harford Community College, and Lincoln University. Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced West Grove PA 19390 Phone: 610-345-0961 email: JPHontz@prodigy.net |
John Marcel Williams | Education: Undergraduate (BM) and Masters (MM) received from the Peabody Institute of Music studying with Manuel Barrueco. Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music under Jason Vieaux and David Starobin. Prizes in numerous competitions and frequently performing concerts nationally and internationally. Artistic Director for the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society. Classical, Flamenco. All levels, beginners to advanced. Located in Center City Philadelphia Email: johnwilliams94@gmail.com Website: John Marcel Guitar |
| John Penn | BA Music, Rutgers University; Studied classical guitar with William Viola, Peter Segal, Joseph Mayes. Studied flamenco guitar with Carlos Rubio. Masterclasses with Pedro Cortez, Jr. and Jesus Torres. Style: Classical, Flamenco Level: All Primary teaching site: 957 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 Secondary teaching site: The Classical Guitar Store, 2038 Sansom Street Philadelphia, 19103 Phone: 215-922-1662 email:johndpenn12@hotmail.com |
| Jordan T. Peterson | Jordan Peterson began his undergraduate degree in jazz guitar, studying with Philly’s great, Tom Giacabetti. He soon acquired an affinity for the classical guitar, and ever since, he has studied under the tutelage of world renowned guitarist and composer Allen Krantz. Among Jordan’s other teachers are Eliot Fisk, Jason Vieaux, Nigel North, and Antigoni Goni. In his pursuits of composition, he has studied with Alexander de Varon and Jan Krzywicki. Jordan completed a Master degree in classical guitar performance and music theory, with a thesis on the music of Manuel M. Ponce. He has performed in several jazz and classical ensembles, opened for the Uri Caine trio, and performed with prominent saxophonist Richie Cole. Not exclusive to six strings, he has played electric and upright jazz bass for ensembles, in clubs, and in jazz orchestras. His unique taste in music sets his repertory apart from the classical “norms.” He is currently working with a violinist, playing works by Piazzolla, Matiegka, as well as a wide array of composers that are “off the beaten path.” Other endeavors include collaborating with pianists, vocalists, and playing original pieces. Classical Guitar, Music Theory, Composition, and Active Music Listening & Comprehension M.M Music Theory Bucks and Montgomery Counties Email: armchairmusictheory@gmail.com Website: https://jordantpeterson.com/ |
| Joseph Mayes | Studied with Segovia Retired Head of Guitar department at Rowan University, NJ. Style: Classical Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced Email - Joseph Mayes |
| Kathleen Mayes | Bachelor of Music, Master Arts Administration. Teaching for over 20 years. Studied with Julian Grey and Larry Snitzler Style: Classical Guitar, Renaissance Lute Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced 324 Virginia Avenue Collingswood, NJ 08108 856.858.8902 Email - Kathleen Mayes |
| Keith Calmes | DMA- University of Southern California, MM – Juilliard, BM- California State University Northridge New Jersey Style: Classical, Jazz and other popular styles www.keithcalmes.com 732-688-3861 email:keithcalmes@rocketmail.com |
| Kevin J. Cope | University of Delaware, Music Composition & Guitar Performance. Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Music Theory, and Composition. ONLINE LESSONS AVAILABLE. Also available for composition commissions. Available to teach: Suzuki guitar, classical guitar, rock/metal guitar, folk guitar, composition, and music theory.M.M. Recipient of the Delaware Division of the Arts Emerging & Established Professional Award for Music Composition. Recipient of the Delaware Division of the Arts Established Professional Award. President of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society. DESTINATION UNKNOWN CD: “A fascinating and stimulating debut that gets better and better the more you listen to it.” – Blair Jackson, Classical Guitar Magazine www.kevinjcope.com Newark, Delaware email: kevin@kevinjcope.com |
Leonard Ranallo | B.M Oberlin Conservatory (2016) with Stephen Aron, M.M Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (2022) with Allan Neave & Matthew McAllister ABRSM Teaching Diploma (2022) Suzuki Guitar (2012) Drawing inspiration from Bach to Coltrane and beyond, American Guitarist Leonard Ranallo seeks to blur the line between composer, performer, and improviser. Equally comfortable in the concert hall or a local club, Ranallo brings a unique vitality to every performance. His fluency in both classical and electric guitar has resulted in performances across the United States and Europe. As a performer, he’s been featured at festivals in Italy, Scotland, and the US, and has won prizes in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Musicians Competition, the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Competition, and the James Stroud Competition. In 2012, Ranallo made his professional orchestral debut as a concerto soloist performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. As a composer, he works to incorporate new and expressive sounds and techniques into the guitar vocabulary. Ranallo is also a strong promoter of new music, collaborating with composers from the US and UK on new works for classical and electric guitar. Ranallo completed his Master’s Degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow studying under Matthew McAllister and Professor Allan Neave and his Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio under Stephen Aron. He is currently on faculty at the Peabody Preparatory in Baltimore and maintains a private teaching studio in Philadelphia. Classical, Acoustic fingerstyle, Electric (Rock, Blues, Pop, Metal) Beginner to Advanced, Suzuki Method & ABRSM Certifications FBI & Child Abuse Clearances PA & MD Private studio in East Passyunk S. Philly, or Classical Guitar Store, or Online via Zoom lennyranallo.com lennyranallo@gmail.com 716-946-1413 |
Marisol Rampolla | Master of Music, Performance - Temple University Classical Guitar Settlement Music School, Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215) 551-7120 marisol.rampolla@verizon.net |
| Marlis Kraft-Zemel | Marlis Kraft-Zemel, trained and taught in her native Switzerland before coming to the US. She has taught both children and adults in classical and folk styles, beginning and intermediate levels. Her commitment to the joy of making music with others has resulted in many years leading ensembles of guitars as well as mixed instrumental groups. Classical and Folk Beginners and Intermediate 324 Harrison Ave.Elkins Park, PA 19027610-316-0984 email: marliskz@gmail.com |
| Matthew Lavanish | Founder and President of Wilmington Classical Guitar Society, B.M. and M.M from University of Delaware, additional studies with Paulo Martelli, Alice Artzt and Jeremy Lyons, Master Classes with Jason Vieaux, The Katona Twins, Eleftheria Kotzia, Paulo Martelli and others, 20+ years teaching experience. Faculty: The Music School of Delaware and The Univ of DE Community Music School Former Faculty: St. Andrews School Style: Classical Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced All ages welcome, including children www.lavanishguitar.com West Philadelphia, PA (302) 650-8797 |
| Pat D'Aprile | Flamenco guitar studies in Spain with El Entri, Jesus de Rosario, Antonio Gabarri Jimenez, David Serva. Master classes with Manolo Sanlucar, Raphael Riqueni, Enrique de Melchor, Felipe Maya, Merengue de Cordoba, Paco Serrano, Pascual de Lorca, Santiago Moreno, Gerardo Nunez. Studied jazz guitar with Brian Betz, Joe Federico and classical guitar with Joe Mayes. BA in Music Education from Rutgers University. Available for performances, workshops, lessons & all occasions. Style: Flamenco (solo and accompaniment), Jazz and Classical. 412 Albany Ave Westmont New Jersey 08108 609-220-0391 email: Tpdaprile1@verizon.net |
Paul Smith | Mr. Smith is an active composer, recording artist, and educator. With over 20 years of work-force experience in developing and consulting intensive and life-changing music programs in urban settings, Mr. Smith has impacted hundreds of students annually through a portfolio of approaches that includes cultivating new generations of teaching artists who possess a 21st century toolkit. Mr. Smith is most proud of having mentored Tune Up Philly students successfully into every pathway program and audition-based ensemble within Philadelphia. Mr. Smith was recently a featured lecturer at PYOMI in 2020-21 presenting “Cosmic Chorales” a study into the organic and the mutational legacy of The Chorale from Western Europe to 20th Century Americas. Mr. Smith was also a featured presenter in the digital 2021/22 YOLA National Take A Stand Symposium lecturing on “Graphic Pathways” and analyzing his “Suite for Young Orchestra” – premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra, under Maestro Cristian Măcelaru in 2014. Mr. Smith has appeared in three full-length studio recordings premiering the Solo Classical Guitar Compositions of David Loeb (Mannes College of Music, Curtis Institute of Music) released on the Vienna Modern Masters and Centaur Record Labels as a D’Addario Artist. His latest release, “Painting, Landscape, Text & Sky” features works inspired by the late 19th/early 20th century Prague painter, Jakub Schikaneder. Mr. Smith received his Bachelors of Music from the Mannes College of Music where he received the Associated Music Teacher’s Award in 2006. Mr. Smith received his Masters of Music from the Juilliard School, where he received the McCabe Teaching Artist Fellowship and was a recipient of a Hearst Foundation Scholarship, assisting his premiere of Robert Cuckson’s Concerto for Guitar, under Maestro David Hayes and the Mannes Composer’s Orchestra. Style: "Only Good Music" Teaching Level PYO Music Institute and throughout the region PYO Faculty and Staff PSmith@PYOMusic.org |
| Ross Mann | Master of Music – Cleveland Institute of Music, studied with John Holmquist & John Sutherland and masterclasses with Isbin, Dyens, Gilardino, Timofeyev and many more. Style: Classical, contemporary & a wide variety of traditional & international styles. Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced Ross offers guitar lessons at convenient Center City and University City studios and has served on the music faculty of several colleges in the area. www.rossmannguitar.com Calvary Center 801 S. 48th (@ Baltimore Ave) Philadelphia, PA, & Temple Music Prep, 1515 Market St Philadelphia, PA email: ross@rossmannguitar.com phone: 215-893-0659 |
| Ted Williams | Studied at Philadelphia Musical Academy with Peter Segal Private studies with Alice Artzt and Leonide Bolotine. Solo recitalist. Former faculty at Lafayette College, Moravian University, Muhlenberg College and Temple University Boyer College of Music Style: Classical Beginner through Professional Mucungie, PA Email: ted@twguitar.com Phone: 610-966-5677 Website: Ted Williams |
| Tom Emery | Style: Classical Level: Beginning, Intermediate Burchrunville, PA 19421 email: memery321@aol.com |
| William Newman | Studied with Peter Segal. Style: Classical Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced Also teaches at Muhlenberg College and in South Jersey (cell 609-254-8928). Classical Guitar Store |
