Introduction & Early Years

My path to classical guitar was anything but traditional. As a mostly self-taught musician, I relied on determination, countless hours of exploration, and a deep passion for the instrument. I picked up my first guitar at age 10, learning by ear from live performances and television, since digital resources were unavailable. Over time, I taught myself to sight-read and handwrite notation, with my earliest favorite pieces being “Spanish Romance” by anonymous composer, and “Asturias” by Albeniz. Although my initial attempts were far from perfect, persistent study enabled me to eventually play these works and others in a more polished way.

As my skills grew, so did my desire to share music with others, leading me to my first experiences in group performance.

Band Experience

During my high school and college years, I served as both lead and rhythm guitarist for a local rock band called Minus Infinitee. We performed a mix of current hits and original material at concerts throughout the community. One of our original songs, “Give Me One More Chance”—music by Alex Bessos and lyrics by Stephanie Stephanou—was professionally recorded and went on to reach the top of the charts on a local FM radio station. A modest beginning, but a meaningful one that helped shape my lifelong path in music. In addition to band performances, I frequently accompanied solo singers on stage with acoustic guitar and continued to showcase classical repertoire at various concert venues. I also dabbled with song writing at times and continue to do so whenever an inspiration strikes.

While these collaborative experiences were invaluable, I continued to deepen my understanding of the guitar and refine my technique through formal study.

Formal Guitar Studies

Seeking to advance my skills, I pursued formal training with several distinguished guitarists, each contributing uniquely to my musical development:

• Maestro Joseph Ishkanian- An amazing teacher who saw potential in me as a beginner and encouraged me to advance my guitar studies. Maestro Ishkanian passed away in 2016. I still have his comprehensive Method Book and some of his own hand written compositions he shared with me. Check out this article in Classical Guitar Magazine remembering his Legacy (Remembering Joseph Ichkhanian, Major Middle-Eastern Guitarist, 1931–2016).

• Maestro Elias Barreiro- I met Maestro Barreiro in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1985 where I was just beginning my Doctorate degree at Tulane University. He was professor of Guitar at Tulane then, but he also had a Guitar Shop on Carrolton Avenue. If you are a serious student of the guitar, you would have most likely ran into one of the many method books, arrangements, and transcriptions he authored. I was fortunate to study with him for nearly 3 years where he significantly expanded my repertoire, improved my technique, and refined my musicality. Master Barreiro is such a humble person with an interesting journey of his own. I stumbled across this interesting 2025 interview article in Bomb Magazine talking about his humble beginnings in Cuba and his journey and rise to become one of the most respected artist and pedagogue of Classical Guitar in this century. Check the article at this link- Narratives of Influence-Elías Barreiro, by Javier Olondo.

• Thomas Coffey- Thomas Coffey is the Director of Education for The Tampa Bay  Area Guitar Society and a former University of South Florida Professor of Guitar. I studied with Thomas for 2 years while living in Tampa. It was a pleasure to work with him and explore new repertoire. He certainly expanded my horizon and provided valuable performance tips.

• Jason Vieaux- Described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” and a recipient of the Guitar Foundation of America International Guitar Competition First Prize. in 2012, he launched the Jason Vieaux School of Classical Guitar with ArtistWorks where he provided online studies. I joined his school then to take advantage of his experience and artistry at the comfort of my home and to continue building my repertoire and improve my technique. I have attended many of his concerts and met with him in person during a performance at the Sarasota Guitar Society International Concert Series.

• Dr. Simon Powis- Dr. Powis, an Australian Classical Guitarist and Pedagogue, created an impressive online guitar school, Classical Guitar Corner (CGC). I joined his school in 2019, for 7 years. Through CGC, I had a unique opportunity to take master classes with well known professional guitarists (see below), perform in solo, ensembles, and orchestra events at the annual Summer School at the Endicott College in MA.

• Dr. Daniel Nistico- Dr. Nistico is an accomplished Australian Classical Guitarist with a specialty in 19th century guitar practice methods. He founded a unique and growing school, the Creative Classical Guitarist (CCG) which I joined to explore composing for the classical guitar, as I had no previous training in that area. Since then I have composed several works including my first composition “Transcendance” which received raving reviews as a virtuosic piece by many. Dr. Nistico professionally performed this piece and other compositions of mine at some of his concert events. You can find the score to Transcendance and some of my other compositions on my Store. I continue to participate in advanced studies in composition and individual repertoire development with Dr. Nistico to this day.

With each new mentor, my appreciation for the guitar deepened, and I became eager to learn from the world’s best through master classes and collaborations.

Master Classes & Collaborations

Learning never stops. Any opportunity one has to learn and expand their guitar skills and musicality should be embraced. One such opportunity is through Master Classes with accomplished classical guitarist and other musicians. I was fortunate to take master classes with these accomplished world class- musicians (CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY AT THE LINK BELOW):

• Berta Rojas- Maestra Rojas, a world famous Paraguayan Classical Guitarist, needs no introduction. I had the opportunity to take a couple of Master Classes with her in 2019. I also worked with her for an entire week preparing for a guitar ensemble performance of works by Andrew York (Brajamazil, a blend of Brazilian and Reggae styles) and Eric Satie (Gnossienne No. 3).

• João Luiz Rezende- A native of Brazil, is a two-time Grammy nominee guitarist, award winning performer, educator, and composer. He recently replaced Benjamin Verdery at Yale as an associate professor adjunct of guitar. I had the pleasure of taking a unique Master Class opportunity with João Luiz in 2023 where he coached me on my original composition “Midnight Swing”, a Choro Style piece, and provided suggested changes and ideas to better reflect this Barzilian style of music. Check out “Midnight Swing” on my Store.

• Raffaele & Janet Agostino- Duo Agostino attended two guitar retreats in 2019 and 2023 as part of Simon Powis Summer School events. I worked with Janet and Raffaele both times on ensemble and orchestra performances for over 10 different works including Jazz, Classical, and Renaissance compositions. I also had a Master Class with Raffaelle working on Vals No 4 by Agustine Barrios, one of my favorite pieces and composer.

These enriching experiences not only shaped my musicianship but also inspired me to share my knowledge and passion with others.

Composing & Teaching Philosophy

My experience and the opportunities I have had learning from accomplished Masters and Educators in the field, informed my teaching philosphy. Through it all, I developed a teaching approach tailored for self-taught learners—helping students navigate challenges, build confidence, and take ownership of their musical journey. Beyond performance, I compose and create virtuoso works that reflect my musical vision.

Check out my photo gallery at the link below showcasing some of my experience and collaborations with various musicians.

If my story resonates with you, I invite you to connect, share your own journey, or explore my compositions and educational resources. Let’s continue learning and making music together—reach out, collaborate, or join me in the pursuit of musical excellence!

my mission is to guide and empower musicians to break barriers, refine their artistry, and embrace their full potential