November 1, 3pm
Brooks Robertson
Brooks Robertson just doesn’t need much more than two thumbs, eight fingers and six strings on a wooden box to carry his listeners away. He utilizes his superb technical abilities to play bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously and surpass the borders of conventional genres. He merges hauntingly beautiful compositions, country rhythms and jazzy harmonies with funky licks into his very own art form.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
Brooks Robertson
Brooks Robertson just doesn’t need much more than two thumbs, eight fingers and six strings on a wooden box to carry his listeners away. He utilizes his superb technical abilities to play bass, rhythm and melody simultaneously and surpass the borders of conventional genres. He merges hauntingly beautiful compositions, country rhythms and jazzy harmonies with funky licks into his very own art form.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
November 2, 2-6pm
Day of the Dead Festival
Presented by Latin American Music Festival, Zaira Meneses, president
Join us for a Day of the Dead celebration with live music, delicious Mexican food, local vendors collaborative altar honoring our ancestors.
The Foundry
101 Rogers Street
Cambridge MA 02142
Day of the Dead Festival
Presented by Latin American Music Festival, Zaira Meneses, president
Join us for a Day of the Dead celebration with live music, delicious Mexican food, local vendors collaborative altar honoring our ancestors.
The Foundry
101 Rogers Street
Cambridge MA 02142
November 2, 4pm
Nick Cutroneo
Nick will present is "Classical Reimagined" program celebrating the rich history of the guitar. The program is filled with music new and old that will scratch every guitar itch imaginable. There will be some Halloween appropriate pieces on the program as well!
Buckingham Congregational Church
16 Cricket Lane, Glastonbury, CT 06033
Nick Cutroneo
Nick will present is "Classical Reimagined" program celebrating the rich history of the guitar. The program is filled with music new and old that will scratch every guitar itch imaginable. There will be some Halloween appropriate pieces on the program as well!
Buckingham Congregational Church
16 Cricket Lane, Glastonbury, CT 06033
November 6, 6pm
Aaron Larget-Caplan
Latin American music by Barrios, Piazzolla, Santorsola, Lauro, and new works by Carlos Mauro (Peru) and Luis Obregon (Mexico)
Hotung Café, Mayer Campus Center
44 Professors Row, Medford, MA 02155
Aaron Larget-Caplan
Latin American music by Barrios, Piazzolla, Santorsola, Lauro, and new works by Carlos Mauro (Peru) and Luis Obregon (Mexico)
Hotung Café, Mayer Campus Center
44 Professors Row, Medford, MA 02155
November 7, 7:30pm
Classical Meets Jazz: Zaira Meneses and Guillermo Ortiz
The Foundry
101 Rogers Street
Cambridge MA 02142
Classical Meets Jazz: Zaira Meneses and Guillermo Ortiz
The Foundry
101 Rogers Street
Cambridge MA 02142
November 7-9
Connecticut Guitar Guild Annual Festival
Join us for an unforgettable weekend celebrating the art of the guitar! The Connecticut Guitar Guild’s 3rd Annual Festival brings together world-class performers, educators, and luthiers for three days of concerts, masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and ensemble playing.
Featured artists include René Izquierdo, David Leisner, Jaclyn Jones, Benjamin Tint, Michael Stubblefield, David Madsen, Emilio Garcia, Ceili Connors, and Stephan Connor.
Friday 11/7
7:30pm - Rene Izquierdo Concert
Saturday 11/8
10-12pm - Rene Izquierdo Masterclass
1-2pm - Faculty Concert
2:30-4:30 - Jaclyn Jones Masterclass
7:30pm - David Leisner Concert
2:30-3:30pm - Emilio Garcia Lecture - Mexican Music
3:30-4:30 pm - Suzuki Group Class
4:30-5:30pm - CGG Ensemble Reading and Play Through
Sunday 11/9
11am-1pm - David Leisner Masterclass
1:30-2:30pm - Luthier Showcase - Connor Guitars
2:30-4:30pm - Benjamin Tint Masterclass
5pm - Participants Concert
2:30pm-3:30pm - Ceili Connors Technique Workshop
3:30-4:30pm - Suzuki Ensemble Class
Whether you’re a student, professional, teacher, or music lover, this festival offers something for everyone.Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired!
First Congregational Church
355 Main Street Cromwell, CT 06416
Connecticut Guitar Guild Annual Festival
Join us for an unforgettable weekend celebrating the art of the guitar! The Connecticut Guitar Guild’s 3rd Annual Festival brings together world-class performers, educators, and luthiers for three days of concerts, masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and ensemble playing.
Featured artists include René Izquierdo, David Leisner, Jaclyn Jones, Benjamin Tint, Michael Stubblefield, David Madsen, Emilio Garcia, Ceili Connors, and Stephan Connor.
Friday 11/7
7:30pm - Rene Izquierdo Concert
Saturday 11/8
10-12pm - Rene Izquierdo Masterclass
1-2pm - Faculty Concert
2:30-4:30 - Jaclyn Jones Masterclass
7:30pm - David Leisner Concert
2:30-3:30pm - Emilio Garcia Lecture - Mexican Music
3:30-4:30 pm - Suzuki Group Class
4:30-5:30pm - CGG Ensemble Reading and Play Through
Sunday 11/9
11am-1pm - David Leisner Masterclass
1:30-2:30pm - Luthier Showcase - Connor Guitars
2:30-4:30pm - Benjamin Tint Masterclass
5pm - Participants Concert
2:30pm-3:30pm - Ceili Connors Technique Workshop
3:30-4:30pm - Suzuki Ensemble Class
Whether you’re a student, professional, teacher, or music lover, this festival offers something for everyone.Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired!
First Congregational Church
355 Main Street Cromwell, CT 06416
November 8, 7:30pm
An Intimate Gala with Guitar Virtuoso: Artyom Dervoed "Tsar of the Guitar"
The Foundry
101 Rogers Street
Cambridge MA 02142
An Intimate Gala with Guitar Virtuoso: Artyom Dervoed "Tsar of the Guitar"
The Foundry
101 Rogers Street
Cambridge MA 02142
November 9, 2pm
New England Guitar Society Milford Library Concert
Join us for an afternoon of classical guitar music at the Milford Library!
Milford Library
57 New Haven Avenue,
Milford CT
New England Guitar Society Milford Library Concert
Join us for an afternoon of classical guitar music at the Milford Library!
Milford Library
57 New Haven Avenue,
Milford CT
November 12, 7:30pm
José Lezcano, guitar and Virginia Eskin, Piano
"Boleros, Habaneras, and Fandangos: Music of Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and Baroque Italy."
Keene State College Music Dept, Faculty concert series. Tickets available at Redfern Box Office.
Keene State College
229 Main St.
Keene NH 03435
José Lezcano, guitar and Virginia Eskin, Piano
"Boleros, Habaneras, and Fandangos: Music of Mexico, Cuba, Spain, and Baroque Italy."
Keene State College Music Dept, Faculty concert series. Tickets available at Redfern Box Office.
Keene State College
229 Main St.
Keene NH 03435
November 22, 7:30pm
Berta Rojas
Latin Grammy–winning guitarist Berta Rojas brings warmth, elegance, and soul to the stage in a concert that celebrates the expressive power of the classical guitar. Hailed for her poetic touch and deep musicality, Rojas weaves together traditions from her native Paraguay with a global sensibility, offering a performance that is both intimate and transcendent. With impeccable technique and heartfelt storytelling, she invites audiences into a world of beauty, passion, and grace—leaving a lasting impression long after the final note fades.
Music Mansion, Meeting Street
88 Meeting Street
Providence, RI 02906
Berta Rojas
Latin Grammy–winning guitarist Berta Rojas brings warmth, elegance, and soul to the stage in a concert that celebrates the expressive power of the classical guitar. Hailed for her poetic touch and deep musicality, Rojas weaves together traditions from her native Paraguay with a global sensibility, offering a performance that is both intimate and transcendent. With impeccable technique and heartfelt storytelling, she invites audiences into a world of beauty, passion, and grace—leaving a lasting impression long after the final note fades.
Music Mansion, Meeting Street
88 Meeting Street
Providence, RI 02906
November 22, 7:30pm
Ben Verdery and Friends: Some Towns and Cities
An evening of guitar music by Ben Verdery including solos, duos and an octet entitled Boston, MA.
Guest guitarists include Kim Perlak, Hao Yang, and several students from the Yale School of Music’s 2025 guitar department.Hailed for his innovative and eclectic musical career, Benjamin Verdery tours regularly throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, performing at major venues and festivals. As a recording artist, Verdery has released more than 17 albums, some featuring works by leading composers of our time who have created music for Verdery, including composers Martin Bresnick, David Leisner, Frederic Hand, Elizabeth Brown, Dan Asia, Van Stiefel, Roberto Sierra, Aaron Jay Kernis, Hannah Lash, Christopher Theofanidis, Ezra Laderman, Bryce Dessner, Jack Vees, Thomas Flippin and Ingram Marshall.
He has also created and released several exquisitely filmed videos in collaboration with other artists. Verdery has recorded and/or performed with such diverse artists as Andy Summers, William Coulter, Simon Powis, Leo Kottke, Anthony Newman, Jessye Norman, Wayne Escoffery, James Taylor (tenor), Ettore Causa, Paco Peña, Hermann Prey, John Williams, hip-hop artist Billy Dean Thomas, beat box/vocal percussionist Marc Martin, JIJI, Nano Stern and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.
A prolific, published composer in his own right, many of Verdery’s compositions have been performed, recorded, and published over the years. Several of today’s most renowned guitarists have recorded and performed his works including John Williams, David Russell, the Assad Duo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Guitar Trek.
In 2023, Ben released A Giant Beside You for ReEntrant/New Focus Records with Ulysses Quartet. Per kathodik webzine: “An exciting sonic journey, masterfully led by Verdery.” They perform Byrce Dessner’s compelling composition Quintet for Hight Strings, Leonard Bernsteins’s Clarinet Sonata, arranged for string quartet and guitar by Verdery, Javier Farias’ Andean Suite, and inventive works by Ben Verdery, About to Fall and A Giant Beside You.
He has been commissioned to compose works for guitar solo, duo, large ensembles, and film. His Scenes from Ellis Island, for guitar orchestra, has been extensively broadcast and performed at festivals and universities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe.
Benjamin Verdery was the guitar professor at the Yale School of Music from 1985-2025. He as rewarded The Sanford Medal For distinguished Service To Music, The Yale School of Music’s most prestigious award in 2025. From 2007-2019 he served as Artistic Director of 92NY’s Art of the Guitar series and as Producer of his Maui Summer Master Class from 1999-2023.
$15-$40
First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
Ben Verdery and Friends: Some Towns and Cities
An evening of guitar music by Ben Verdery including solos, duos and an octet entitled Boston, MA.
Guest guitarists include Kim Perlak, Hao Yang, and several students from the Yale School of Music’s 2025 guitar department.Hailed for his innovative and eclectic musical career, Benjamin Verdery tours regularly throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, performing at major venues and festivals. As a recording artist, Verdery has released more than 17 albums, some featuring works by leading composers of our time who have created music for Verdery, including composers Martin Bresnick, David Leisner, Frederic Hand, Elizabeth Brown, Dan Asia, Van Stiefel, Roberto Sierra, Aaron Jay Kernis, Hannah Lash, Christopher Theofanidis, Ezra Laderman, Bryce Dessner, Jack Vees, Thomas Flippin and Ingram Marshall.
He has also created and released several exquisitely filmed videos in collaboration with other artists. Verdery has recorded and/or performed with such diverse artists as Andy Summers, William Coulter, Simon Powis, Leo Kottke, Anthony Newman, Jessye Norman, Wayne Escoffery, James Taylor (tenor), Ettore Causa, Paco Peña, Hermann Prey, John Williams, hip-hop artist Billy Dean Thomas, beat box/vocal percussionist Marc Martin, JIJI, Nano Stern and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.
A prolific, published composer in his own right, many of Verdery’s compositions have been performed, recorded, and published over the years. Several of today’s most renowned guitarists have recorded and performed his works including John Williams, David Russell, the Assad Duo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Guitar Trek.
In 2023, Ben released A Giant Beside You for ReEntrant/New Focus Records with Ulysses Quartet. Per kathodik webzine: “An exciting sonic journey, masterfully led by Verdery.” They perform Byrce Dessner’s compelling composition Quintet for Hight Strings, Leonard Bernsteins’s Clarinet Sonata, arranged for string quartet and guitar by Verdery, Javier Farias’ Andean Suite, and inventive works by Ben Verdery, About to Fall and A Giant Beside You.
He has been commissioned to compose works for guitar solo, duo, large ensembles, and film. His Scenes from Ellis Island, for guitar orchestra, has been extensively broadcast and performed at festivals and universities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe.
Benjamin Verdery was the guitar professor at the Yale School of Music from 1985-2025. He as rewarded The Sanford Medal For distinguished Service To Music, The Yale School of Music’s most prestigious award in 2025. From 2007-2019 he served as Artistic Director of 92NY’s Art of the Guitar series and as Producer of his Maui Summer Master Class from 1999-2023.
$15-$40
First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
November 23, 3pm
Bob Halperin
Bob Halperin has been a presence in the Seacoast music scene for over 30 years. Initially known for his virtuosic solo blues finger-picking and slide guitar performances, he has also established himself as a sought-after sideman and as a member of the roots/Americana band Wooden Eye and the band for the gospel choir, Rock My Soul, as well as playing in various projects with Carol Coronis. He has taught guitar at Gary’s Guitars in Portsmouth and at The Music Emporium in Lexington, MA and presently teaches remotely from home.
“Halperin’s guitar work is nimble and assured, subtle but also with the right amount of power. You can hear trace influences of greats such as Robert Johnson, Son House and others, but the playing here is beyond imitation. Halperin has developed a singular voice on the instrument.”
– Alan Chase, The Wire
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
Bob Halperin
Bob Halperin has been a presence in the Seacoast music scene for over 30 years. Initially known for his virtuosic solo blues finger-picking and slide guitar performances, he has also established himself as a sought-after sideman and as a member of the roots/Americana band Wooden Eye and the band for the gospel choir, Rock My Soul, as well as playing in various projects with Carol Coronis. He has taught guitar at Gary’s Guitars in Portsmouth and at The Music Emporium in Lexington, MA and presently teaches remotely from home.
“Halperin’s guitar work is nimble and assured, subtle but also with the right amount of power. You can hear trace influences of greats such as Robert Johnson, Son House and others, but the playing here is beyond imitation. Halperin has developed a singular voice on the instrument.”
– Alan Chase, The Wire
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
November 23, 3pm
Nick Cutroneo
As an active performer, Nick has extensively toured throughout the United States and Italy both as a soloist and chamber musician. He has been involved with the New England Guitar Quartet, the violin and guitar duo Tempo del Fuoco and has performed with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Blackledge Music Inc, the Northeast New Music Collective just to mention a few. As an advocate for new music, Nick has premiered many new works for the classical guitar including most recently Shadow of the Sun by Frank Wallace and Stagger Breathing by Colin Britt. Other composers whom he has worked with include EMMY Award Winning Composer Sean Pallatroni, Thomas Schuttenhelm, and Dan Lis who wrote and dedicated a Guitar Concerto for Nick.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Nick Cutroneo
As an active performer, Nick has extensively toured throughout the United States and Italy both as a soloist and chamber musician. He has been involved with the New England Guitar Quartet, the violin and guitar duo Tempo del Fuoco and has performed with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Blackledge Music Inc, the Northeast New Music Collective just to mention a few. As an advocate for new music, Nick has premiered many new works for the classical guitar including most recently Shadow of the Sun by Frank Wallace and Stagger Breathing by Colin Britt. Other composers whom he has worked with include EMMY Award Winning Composer Sean Pallatroni, Thomas Schuttenhelm, and Dan Lis who wrote and dedicated a Guitar Concerto for Nick.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
December 6, 3pm
John Muratore
Highly acclaimed classical guitarist John Muratore performs regularly as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. As a solo artist he has appeared extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Russia. He has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles including Emmanuel Music, the Spectrum Singers, Chorus Pro Musica, Alea III, Boston Musica Viva and Counterpoint. Recent appearances as concerto soloist have been with the Ridgefield Symphony, Vermont Symphony and Symphony by the Sea under the direction of Jonathan McPhee.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
John Muratore
Highly acclaimed classical guitarist John Muratore performs regularly as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. As a solo artist he has appeared extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Russia. He has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles including Emmanuel Music, the Spectrum Singers, Chorus Pro Musica, Alea III, Boston Musica Viva and Counterpoint. Recent appearances as concerto soloist have been with the Ridgefield Symphony, Vermont Symphony and Symphony by the Sea under the direction of Jonathan McPhee.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
December 21, 3pm
Thatcher Harrison
Thatcher Harrison is a guitarist and a composer. As a guitarist, he plays everything from classical guitar to jazz guitar, to fingerstyle guitar and more. As a composer, Thatcher Harrison specializes in what he calls “classical fusion” composition: pieces based in classical composition and performance techniques, but with influences from jazz music, rock music, fingerstyle guitar music, film score music, and world music. You can hear influences from a wide range of music genres in his original compositions.
As a competitor, Thatcher Harrison has won 20 prizes in regional, national, and international competitions. Thatcher is currently studying for his Masters degree at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconisin – Milwaukee with René Izquierdo. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance at New England Conservatory where he studied with Eliot Fisk and Jérôme Mouffe.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
Thatcher Harrison
Thatcher Harrison is a guitarist and a composer. As a guitarist, he plays everything from classical guitar to jazz guitar, to fingerstyle guitar and more. As a composer, Thatcher Harrison specializes in what he calls “classical fusion” composition: pieces based in classical composition and performance techniques, but with influences from jazz music, rock music, fingerstyle guitar music, film score music, and world music. You can hear influences from a wide range of music genres in his original compositions.
As a competitor, Thatcher Harrison has won 20 prizes in regional, national, and international competitions. Thatcher is currently studying for his Masters degree at the Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconisin – Milwaukee with René Izquierdo. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance at New England Conservatory where he studied with Eliot Fisk and Jérôme Mouffe.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
January 3, 3pm
Dr. José Lezcano
Described by Fanfare Magazine as “an excellent guitarist as well as an imaginative composer,” José Manuel Lezcano is Professor Emeritus of Music at Keene State College (New Hampshire) where he directs the Guitar Orchestra and Latin-American Ensemble, and teaches guitar and courses in Latin American and Spanish music. He is a twice Grammy-nominated guitarist and composer who has delighted audiences on four continents. His programs featuring traditional and Latin American repertoire, and his own original compositions have taken him as recitalist, collaborative musician, and concerto soloist from Carnegie Recital Hall and the North-South Consonance Series in New York City to major venues and festivals in Cuba, Spain, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, China, Crete, Trinidad & Tobago, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
Dr. José Lezcano
Described by Fanfare Magazine as “an excellent guitarist as well as an imaginative composer,” José Manuel Lezcano is Professor Emeritus of Music at Keene State College (New Hampshire) where he directs the Guitar Orchestra and Latin-American Ensemble, and teaches guitar and courses in Latin American and Spanish music. He is a twice Grammy-nominated guitarist and composer who has delighted audiences on four continents. His programs featuring traditional and Latin American repertoire, and his own original compositions have taken him as recitalist, collaborative musician, and concerto soloist from Carnegie Recital Hall and the North-South Consonance Series in New York City to major venues and festivals in Cuba, Spain, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, China, Crete, Trinidad & Tobago, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
February 7, 3pm
Duo Chinoiserie
Duo Chinoiserie is a distinctive musical ensemble that bridges the traditions of the European Classical Guitar and the Guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither and traditional musical instrument known for its beautiful, resonant sound. Founded in 2016, Bin Hu & Jing Xai have been exploring and fostering cultural exchanges with the enduring dialogue of their musical art form and have emerged as a musical phenomenon. Grammy Award winning guitarist David Russell praises their work as a “moving and impressive combination” that showcases their musicality and attractive phrasing of melodies.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
Duo Chinoiserie
Duo Chinoiserie is a distinctive musical ensemble that bridges the traditions of the European Classical Guitar and the Guzheng, a Chinese plucked zither and traditional musical instrument known for its beautiful, resonant sound. Founded in 2016, Bin Hu & Jing Xai have been exploring and fostering cultural exchanges with the enduring dialogue of their musical art form and have emerged as a musical phenomenon. Grammy Award winning guitarist David Russell praises their work as a “moving and impressive combination” that showcases their musicality and attractive phrasing of melodies.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
February 8, 3pm
Bin Hu
Bin Hu was born in 1987 in Tianjin, China. He began classical guitar lessons at age 11 with Zhiwei Li, a pioneer and founder of the first classical guitar school in China. He then studied privately in Beijing with Jiajiong Li of the Central Conservatory of Music. His undergraduate studies were with Heiki Mätlik at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn. He then went to Salzburg to study with Marco Tamayo at the Universität Mozarteum where he obtained his Master of Arts degree with distinction. He is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona with Professor Tom Patterson. Within the framework of his studies Hu also took part in master classes taught by Sérgio and Odair Assad, David Russell and Ricardo Gallén, among others.
He appears on stage as a solo guitarist, chamber musician, and soloist with orchestra. He gave the world première of a guitar concerto composed by Jorge Rodriguez-Caballero. As a scholar, he has been invited to several musical institutes in China to present a variety of topics regarding Baroque performance practice. His scholarly activities and interpretations of Bach’s music culminated in winning the 2016 David Russell Bach Prize. David Russell, judge of this competition, remarked after hearing Hu’s interpretation of Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003, “Bin’s performance was powerful and convincing, among the best performances of this sonata I have heard.”
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
Bin Hu
Bin Hu was born in 1987 in Tianjin, China. He began classical guitar lessons at age 11 with Zhiwei Li, a pioneer and founder of the first classical guitar school in China. He then studied privately in Beijing with Jiajiong Li of the Central Conservatory of Music. His undergraduate studies were with Heiki Mätlik at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn. He then went to Salzburg to study with Marco Tamayo at the Universität Mozarteum where he obtained his Master of Arts degree with distinction. He is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Arizona with Professor Tom Patterson. Within the framework of his studies Hu also took part in master classes taught by Sérgio and Odair Assad, David Russell and Ricardo Gallén, among others.
He appears on stage as a solo guitarist, chamber musician, and soloist with orchestra. He gave the world première of a guitar concerto composed by Jorge Rodriguez-Caballero. As a scholar, he has been invited to several musical institutes in China to present a variety of topics regarding Baroque performance practice. His scholarly activities and interpretations of Bach’s music culminated in winning the 2016 David Russell Bach Prize. David Russell, judge of this competition, remarked after hearing Hu’s interpretation of Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003, “Bin’s performance was powerful and convincing, among the best performances of this sonata I have heard.”
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
February 22, 3pm
Olsen/De Cari Duo
The Olson/De Cari Duo, a husband-and-wife ensemble, is dedicated to expanding the repertoire for classical guitar and voice. Their innovative repertoire includes many pieces written for them, including compositions from their Science/Music Commissioning Project, which seeks to celebrate the science-informed worldview and illuminate the human side of science through song, with the most recent commission being Archimedes by Andrew York. “The Olson/De Cari Duo straddle science and art gloriously” (Science Friday). Their latest album, Eve’s Diary, features new compositions and arrangements commissioned by the Duo, including a song cycle by David Leisner, arrangements of Jobim songs by João Luiz, and arrangements of theatre songs by Clarice Assad, together with a science-themed commission by the late Frank Wallace on texts by Nobel Laureate scientist and poet Roald Hoffmann. Sparked by the challenges to live performance posed by the pandemic, the Duo has recently forged new paths in classical music videography, creating an inventive music video series in narrative style. For more information, visit olsondecariduo.com.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Olsen/De Cari Duo
The Olson/De Cari Duo, a husband-and-wife ensemble, is dedicated to expanding the repertoire for classical guitar and voice. Their innovative repertoire includes many pieces written for them, including compositions from their Science/Music Commissioning Project, which seeks to celebrate the science-informed worldview and illuminate the human side of science through song, with the most recent commission being Archimedes by Andrew York. “The Olson/De Cari Duo straddle science and art gloriously” (Science Friday). Their latest album, Eve’s Diary, features new compositions and arrangements commissioned by the Duo, including a song cycle by David Leisner, arrangements of Jobim songs by João Luiz, and arrangements of theatre songs by Clarice Assad, together with a science-themed commission by the late Frank Wallace on texts by Nobel Laureate scientist and poet Roald Hoffmann. Sparked by the challenges to live performance posed by the pandemic, the Duo has recently forged new paths in classical music videography, creating an inventive music video series in narrative style. For more information, visit olsondecariduo.com.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
February 28, 7:30pm
Gaëlle Solal
Born into a music-loving family, Gaëlle Solal discovered the classical guitar at the age of five and began studying at the Marseille Conservatoire the following year. At just sixteen she took up a place at the Paris Conservatoire. As a little girl she’d written in a notebook, «When I grow up, I want to be a dancer and musician» – so some dreams do indeed come true…
Three years later she graduated from the Conservatoire, taking away with her a «Premier Prix» (honours degree) and a renewed desire to keep learning. Fun-loving, ambitious and keen not to let any new challenge pass her by, she took part in international competitions while studying for her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. In 1998, she became the first female French musician to win one of the world’s leading classical guitar competitions – the City of Alessandria Competition. As well as being awarded grants and bursaries by numerous foundations, she also won twelve prizes in other national and international competitions.
A committed and supportive professional, she campaigns for the presence and visibility of women in the guitar world via the Guitar’Elles dont elle est la fondatrice. Elle réside à Bruxelles depuis 2011.
$15-$40
First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
Gaëlle Solal
Born into a music-loving family, Gaëlle Solal discovered the classical guitar at the age of five and began studying at the Marseille Conservatoire the following year. At just sixteen she took up a place at the Paris Conservatoire. As a little girl she’d written in a notebook, «When I grow up, I want to be a dancer and musician» – so some dreams do indeed come true…
Three years later she graduated from the Conservatoire, taking away with her a «Premier Prix» (honours degree) and a renewed desire to keep learning. Fun-loving, ambitious and keen not to let any new challenge pass her by, she took part in international competitions while studying for her master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. In 1998, she became the first female French musician to win one of the world’s leading classical guitar competitions – the City of Alessandria Competition. As well as being awarded grants and bursaries by numerous foundations, she also won twelve prizes in other national and international competitions.
A committed and supportive professional, she campaigns for the presence and visibility of women in the guitar world via the Guitar’Elles dont elle est la fondatrice. Elle réside à Bruxelles depuis 2011.
$15-$40
First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
March 7, 3pm
Michael Bester and Amanda Roeder
Amanda Roeder is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator, adjudicator, and performer. Since 2014 she has directed the choral ensembles and an award-winning a cappella program at Chelmsford High School in Chelmsford, MA. Michael Bester is an acoustic and electric guitarist, bassist, arranger, producer, and composer. In recent years, he has performed in the Bester Papineau guitar duo, as well as in pit orchestras in the greater Boston area. He holds a degree in music performance from the University of Miami.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
Michael Bester and Amanda Roeder
Amanda Roeder is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator, adjudicator, and performer. Since 2014 she has directed the choral ensembles and an award-winning a cappella program at Chelmsford High School in Chelmsford, MA. Michael Bester is an acoustic and electric guitarist, bassist, arranger, producer, and composer. In recent years, he has performed in the Bester Papineau guitar duo, as well as in pit orchestras in the greater Boston area. He holds a degree in music performance from the University of Miami.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
March 15, 3pm
Kevin Loh
Kevin stands as a distinguished artist, having achieved the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music. Originally from Singapore, Kevin was the grand prize winner in 2023 the Boston GuitarFest and most notably, he secured 2nd place at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Most recently, Kevin earned both his Master of Music & Performance Certificate in Guitar Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, studying under the guidance of world-renowned guitarist, Cuban-born Prof. René Izquierdo. Building upon his exceptional educational experience there, he has now transitioned into a faculty role as a Lecturer in the Classical Guitar Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
This concert was made possible with the assistance of an Augustine Foundation grant.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
Kevin Loh
Kevin stands as a distinguished artist, having achieved the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music. Originally from Singapore, Kevin was the grand prize winner in 2023 the Boston GuitarFest and most notably, he secured 2nd place at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Most recently, Kevin earned both his Master of Music & Performance Certificate in Guitar Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, studying under the guidance of world-renowned guitarist, Cuban-born Prof. René Izquierdo. Building upon his exceptional educational experience there, he has now transitioned into a faculty role as a Lecturer in the Classical Guitar Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
This concert was made possible with the assistance of an Augustine Foundation grant.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
March 22, 4pm
Tedesco Duo
Catherine O’Kelly, guitar, Arielle Burke, flute
Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.”
The New England-based Tedesco Duo performs flute and guitar repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Their programs often explore the relationship between music and other art forms, such as dance, storytelling, and poetry.
Parish Center for the Arts
10 Lincoln Street
Westford, MA 01886
Tedesco Duo
Catherine O’Kelly, guitar, Arielle Burke, flute
Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.”
The New England-based Tedesco Duo performs flute and guitar repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Their programs often explore the relationship between music and other art forms, such as dance, storytelling, and poetry.
Parish Center for the Arts
10 Lincoln Street
Westford, MA 01886
March 29, 3pm
Betty's Bounce Trio
Betty’s Bounce is a trio of two acoustic guitars and acoustic bass that performs American Jazz and music in the spirit of guitarist Django Reinhardt, which originated in France in the 1930s. Reinhardt teamed with violinist Stéphane Grappelli to co-found the Quintette du Hot Club de France whose music from the 1930’s and 40’s epitomized the genre. The repertoire of Betty’s Bounce includes classic and modern popular tunes played with a “gypsy” twist.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Betty's Bounce Trio
Betty’s Bounce is a trio of two acoustic guitars and acoustic bass that performs American Jazz and music in the spirit of guitarist Django Reinhardt, which originated in France in the 1930s. Reinhardt teamed with violinist Stéphane Grappelli to co-found the Quintette du Hot Club de France whose music from the 1930’s and 40’s epitomized the genre. The repertoire of Betty’s Bounce includes classic and modern popular tunes played with a “gypsy” twist.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
April 4, 3pm
Tedesco Duo
Catherine O’Kelly, guitar, Arielle Burke, flute
Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.”
The New England-based Tedesco Duo performs flute and guitar repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Their programs often explore the relationship between music and other art forms, such as dance, storytelling, and poetry.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
Tedesco Duo
Catherine O’Kelly, guitar, Arielle Burke, flute
Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.”
The New England-based Tedesco Duo performs flute and guitar repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Their programs often explore the relationship between music and other art forms, such as dance, storytelling, and poetry.
Weymouth Tufts Public Library
46 Broad Street
Weymouth, MA 02188
April 12, 3pm
Scott Borg
…well balanced, gracefully presented, and expertly played… (NY Concert Review)
Praised as having “enormous facility on the guitar, a fluent technique, who plays with total confidence and professional expertise, panache and artful spontaneity”, Australian guitarist Scott Borg performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, and is known for his refined and daring performances. His performances have been broadcasted on Australian and American radio stations including ABC Classic FM and NPR. He was also featured on MTV2.
Mr Borg began his guitar studies at the age of seven with his father, Victor, and was soon after accepted into the young artists program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Currently a candidate in the Doctorate of Musical Arts program at New England Conservatory under the tutelage of Maestro Eliot Fisk, he received his Artist Diploma (Yale University), Masters of Music (The Juilliard School) and a Bachelor of Creative Arts with First Class Honours (University of Wollongong). His previous mentors have included Sharon Isbin, Benjamin Verdery, Gregory Pikler, and Christopher Keane. Mr Borg is currently on faculty at Montgomery College, and the Levine School of Music in Washington D.C., and is Director of the Boston Guitar Orchestra and the BCGS Guitar Orchestra. His Debut CD “Phases” was released on the Odradek Label in 2015.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Scott Borg
…well balanced, gracefully presented, and expertly played… (NY Concert Review)
Praised as having “enormous facility on the guitar, a fluent technique, who plays with total confidence and professional expertise, panache and artful spontaneity”, Australian guitarist Scott Borg performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, and is known for his refined and daring performances. His performances have been broadcasted on Australian and American radio stations including ABC Classic FM and NPR. He was also featured on MTV2.
Mr Borg began his guitar studies at the age of seven with his father, Victor, and was soon after accepted into the young artists program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Currently a candidate in the Doctorate of Musical Arts program at New England Conservatory under the tutelage of Maestro Eliot Fisk, he received his Artist Diploma (Yale University), Masters of Music (The Juilliard School) and a Bachelor of Creative Arts with First Class Honours (University of Wollongong). His previous mentors have included Sharon Isbin, Benjamin Verdery, Gregory Pikler, and Christopher Keane. Mr Borg is currently on faculty at Montgomery College, and the Levine School of Music in Washington D.C., and is Director of the Boston Guitar Orchestra and the BCGS Guitar Orchestra. His Debut CD “Phases” was released on the Odradek Label in 2015.
Hingham Public Library
66 Leavitt Street
Hingham, MA 02043
April 19, 3pm
Tedesco Duo
Catherine O’Kelly, guitar, Arielle Burke, flute
Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.”
The New England-based Tedesco Duo performs flute and guitar repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Their programs often explore the relationship between music and other art forms, such as dance, storytelling, and poetry.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
Tedesco Duo
Catherine O’Kelly, guitar, Arielle Burke, flute
Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.”
The New England-based Tedesco Duo performs flute and guitar repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Their programs often explore the relationship between music and other art forms, such as dance, storytelling, and poetry.
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
April 19, 4pm
Dave McLellan
Concert and collaborative chamber music guitarist since 1976, Dave McLellan has performed throughout the U.S., South America, Great Britain, and Europe. He has appeared in major concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Wigmore Hall.
Parish Center for the Arts
10 Lincoln Street
Westford, MA 01886
Dave McLellan
Concert and collaborative chamber music guitarist since 1976, Dave McLellan has performed throughout the U.S., South America, Great Britain, and Europe. He has appeared in major concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Wigmore Hall.
Parish Center for the Arts
10 Lincoln Street
Westford, MA 01886
May 2, 7:30pm
Aniello Desderio and Zoran Dukic
Aniello Desiderio and Zoran Dukić, both acclaimed classical guitarists, have been collaborating as a duo since the early 1990s. Together, they are sometimes know as From A & Z.
Their repertoire spans a diverse range of compositions, from Baroque transcriptions to contemporary works. Notably, they have performed adaptations such as Bach’s Chaconne and pieces by Italian composers Domenico Scarlatti and Domenico Cimarosa. Their interpretations of Astor Piazzolla’s Suite Troileana, arranged by Sérgio Assad, have received stellar reviews.
In 2021, the duo released their album A & Z, featuring a selection of these works. Their synergy and technical mastery continue to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying their reputation as a leading guitar duo in the classical music scene.
$15-$40
First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
Aniello Desderio and Zoran Dukic
Aniello Desiderio and Zoran Dukić, both acclaimed classical guitarists, have been collaborating as a duo since the early 1990s. Together, they are sometimes know as From A & Z.
Their repertoire spans a diverse range of compositions, from Baroque transcriptions to contemporary works. Notably, they have performed adaptations such as Bach’s Chaconne and pieces by Italian composers Domenico Scarlatti and Domenico Cimarosa. Their interpretations of Astor Piazzolla’s Suite Troileana, arranged by Sérgio Assad, have received stellar reviews.
In 2021, the duo released their album A & Z, featuring a selection of these works. Their synergy and technical mastery continue to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying their reputation as a leading guitar duo in the classical music scene.
$15-$40
First Lutheran Church
299 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02118
May 17, 3pm
Kim Perlak
Kim Perlak is currently the Chair of Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music, She is the author of Classical Technique for the Modern Guitarist, which was published in 2016. Kim serves on the boards of the Guitar Foundation of America, the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and The D’Addario Education Advisory Board. And has served as Editor-in-Chief of Soundboard: The Journal of the Guitar Foundation of America. Kim holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin (’08 DMA), Yale School of Music (’01 MM), and Stetson University (’98 BM).
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801
Kim Perlak
Kim Perlak is currently the Chair of Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music, She is the author of Classical Technique for the Modern Guitarist, which was published in 2016. Kim serves on the boards of the Guitar Foundation of America, the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and The D’Addario Education Advisory Board. And has served as Editor-in-Chief of Soundboard: The Journal of the Guitar Foundation of America. Kim holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin (’08 DMA), Yale School of Music (’01 MM), and Stetson University (’98 BM).
Portsmouth Public Library
175 Parrot Avenue
Portsmouth , MA 03801