Department of Music : Guitar Series

GUITAR SERIES 2009-2010
Performer bios

Carlos Pérez

Chilean guitarist Carlos Pérez graduated with top honors from the Arts Faculty of the University of Chile, where he studied under Ernesto Quezada.

He has earned of top prizes in major international competitions in Europe and in America, the latest was the Joaquín Rodrigo Competition in Madrid, Spain 2006.
He has released seven CDs and recorded with several European radios. He has performed in more than thirty countries in the America’s, Europe, and has played with orchestras in England, Belgium, the United States, Spain, Russia, Portugal, Poland and Chile. His performance with Orquesta Sinfónica de Radio y Televisión Nacional de España was aired live in 27 countries by European Broadcasting Union.

Carlos has participated in prestigious Guitar Festivals such as: Guitar Foundation of America, Volos, Vienna, Esztergom, Bratislava, Mikulov, Fabritio Caroso, Caracas, Saltillo, Martinique and others. He has given master classes and lectures in many Universities and Schools of Music in USA, and his compositions and arrangements have been published by Les Editions Henry Lemoine of France, Productions d’Oz of Canada and Grenzland-Verlag Theo Hüsgen of Germany.

Benjamin Verdery

Benjamin has released over 15 albums. His most recent recordings are Branches (Mushkatweek) (arrangements of works by Bach, Mozart, Strauss, Hendrix and the traditional Amazing Grace) and First You Build A Cloud (Rare Records) with Police guitarist Andy Summers.

A prolific composer, many of Benjamin Verdery’s compositions have been performed and published over the years. Most recently, Now and Ever for David Russell and Peace, Love and Guitars for John Williams and John Etheridge.

Benjamin Verdery is Chair of the Guitar Department at Yale School of Music (since 1985), Artistic Director of Art of the Guitar at the 92nd St Y (NYC), conducts an annual master class week on the Island of Maui (Hawaii) and is an honorary board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Inc.

One of the most talented guitarists of his generation, Australian born Rupert Boyd has performed throughout the United States, Spain, Italy, France and Australia, and among numerous prizes is the recipient of the Andrés Segovia Award from the Manhattan School of Music.

Since his 1980 New York debut with his wife, flutist Rie Schmidt, Benjamin has performed throughout Europe, Asia and North America and has recorded and performed with such diverse artists as Leo Kottke, Hermann Prey and John Williams.

Rupert Boyd

Rupert Boyd has performed at some of New York’s most prestigious classical music venues, including The 92nd Street Y, Bargemusic, The New York City Classical Guitar Society and given performances with The New York Festival of Song and Moving Theater Dance Company. In addition to winning the Andrés Segovia award from the Manhattan School of Music, Rupert Boyd was a winner of the Lillian Fuchs Chamber Music Competition and winner of the Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition, which resulted in a performance of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Leighton Smith.

Rupert Boyd formed the Australian Guitar Duo with guitarist Jacob Cordover, and their recital was broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Classic FM ‘Young Australia Series’. Boyd’ss debut solo recording Valses Poéticos was released in June 2008. He holds degrees from the Australian National University School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and an Artist Diploma degree from the Yale University School of Music.

Winston-Salem Guitar Septet

Sparkling, original, and one of few like it in the world! The Winston-Salem Guitar Septet offers a diverse program of musical styles, including classical, jazz, contemporary, and rock. The WSGS consists of a family of nylon-stringed guitars, including two specialty instruments: the higher-pitched requinto and the lower-octave contrabass. The resulting sound is full and satisfying. The group was formed in 2006 and presently includes Alan Hirsh, Jeremy Kuhn, Andrew Motten, Luke Payne, Jason Rogers, Kami Rowan, and Mark Charles Smith. 

“The Proficiency and creativity in each of the performers shone through brightly in their execution of the individual parts and in their connection with one another. Their website describes them as ‘sparkling, original, innovative, full and rich and satisfying.’ These, they are …and much more!"

The Community Arts Café magazine

For information call
Patricia A. Dixon, 336.758.5102