LVGF Concert Artists

RICARDO COBO is recognized as one of the world's supreme virtuosi of the new classic guitar generation. He gave his professional debut with the Orquesta Filarmonica de Bogota at age sixteen for a nationwide telecast audience of over nine million. As a college student he was the first Hispanic to win consecutive prizes at the Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. His busy touring schedule has taken him to some of the worlds leading concert venues such as New York's Canegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, to Korea's Ho Ham Hall, and Madird's Teatro Real to name a few. Cobo's versatility can be heard in his award-winning solo recordings of classical and children's music, his orchestral and crossover recordings and in hundreds of credits for commercial releases world-wide. His diverse and innovative programming ranges from solo concerti with orchestra to historical chamber settings as well as Tango and Flamenco dance ensembles to Latin and world music concerts. www.ricardocobo.com

ADAM DEL MONTE leads a dynamic career as a performer of flamenco and classical guitar; and is an active soloist, chamber performer, and composer.  Having won first prize at the 1997 Stotsenberg International Classical Guitar Competition, del Monte is one of the new generation’s unique and leading guitarists. He studied flamenco & classical guitar in Spain , Israel & England , beginning with his father.  He has appeared as both a solo artist and group performer in prestigious venues such as Disney Hall, LA’s Mark Taper Forum and the Wilshire Theater; the Teatro Real and the Conde Duque in Madrid; Manuel de Falla Auditorium in Granada; New Mexico St Francis Auditorium in Santa Fe; the International Guitar Festival in Israel, GFA in St Louis,’96, La Jolla ,’97 and Charleston, '99 GFA, and the 500^th anniversary of Columbus celebrations in Paris & Madrid.  Adam has performed concertos with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and the Ra’anana Symphonet.  Listen first hand toAdam's exciting playing. His recordings, such as his flamenco debut CD on the Spanish label Sonifolk (1998), entitled Viaje a Un Nuevo Mundo (Journey to a New World), the classical CD EZORDIO on the GSP label, the video A Classical and Flamenco Recital published by Mel Bay, and the flameco guitar part in the double Grammy award winning opera Ainadamar released by Deutsche Gramophone.  He also recorded Avner’s Theme by film composer John Williams for the sound track CD of the motion picture Munich by Steven Spielberg.  www.adamdelmonte.com

NICHOLAS GOLUSES as a current leader in the world's community of classical guitar, Nicholas Goluses has "reached the highest levels of instrumental virtuosity"-Generalanzeiber (Bonn, Germany). Having performed in venues ranging from North and South America, Europe, and the Far East, he continues to appear in solo and chamber performances and as a soloist with orchestras. Currently, Goluses teaches at the world-renowned Eastman School of Music as professor of guitar and director of the guitar programs. He received the Pablo Casals Award and the Manhattan School of Music Faculty Award of Distinguished Merit. He remains in demand for master-classes at major international festivals, colleges, universities, and conservatories throughout the world. Dr. Goluses has recorded for BMG, NAXOS, and Albany Records, and is committed to performing new music for guitar by today's leading composers. www.goluses.com

MATTHEW ROHDE has lived in Ramallah, Palestine since the spring of 2007, where he teaches classic guitar at Al-Kamandjati, a music school providing instruction to underserved children in towns and refugee camps across the West Bank . As a performer, Matthew’s commitment toward contemporary guitar music is underscored by notable recent performances, which include the American Premiere of Roland Dyen’s Concerto in Si; Takemitsu’s To the Edge of Dream with the Yale Symphony Orchestra; Hans Werner Henze’s unabridged Kammermusik 1958 with tenor Tom Cooley and the Hindemith Ensemble; and Piazzolla’s Tango Suite, performed at Yale at an internationally televised address by Chinese President Hu Jin Tao during his historic visit to the United States. In addition to Yale, Matthew has attended the Conservatoire Superiore de Paris under Roland Dyens and spent three summers at the Accademia Chigiana of Siena Italy , under Oscar Ghiglia.   Matthew holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Yale University , where for five years his own flare for the unconventional, not only as an interpreter but also as a musician; fostered and sparked his unending search of ways to present his art to the world.

STEVEN THACHUK is known as one of Canada ’s most outstanding and versatile guitarists and he has appeared in recital as a chamber musician, and soloist with orchestra.  His concerts have been heard throughout North America, Great Britain and Europe ; drawing critical acclaim.  The Nordeste in Mexico has called Thachuk “a master of interpretation and artistry” In addition to many other awards he received the prestigious Chalmers Performing Arts Training Grant in 1994.  Steve is an avid supporter of new music and has premiered numerous works by today’s popular composers.  In addition to his performing career, Thachuk has an international reputation as a leading teacher and pedagogue of the instrument.  He is in demand for masterclasses and concerts at universities, conservatories, and major guitar festivals throughout North America and Europe .   Steve Thachuk is Professor of Guitar and Chair of Guitar Studies at California State University , Northridge.  Steven Thachuk’s studies began when he was eight years old.  He pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto , and continued his studies in Germany and at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester , New York , where he completed his doctorate degree in 1998.  www.steventhachuk.com

TOM PATTERSON enjoys an active performance schedule, giving recitals to critical acclaim throughout North America. Recent performances have taken him to the Peoples Republic of China, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and Italy. Since joiningThe University of Arizona faculty in 1980, he has received international acclaim for his direction of the guitar program. Mr. Patterson studied with many of the world's leading teachers including Abel Carlevaro, Oscar Ghiglia and David Russell. He has been the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including fellowships with the Tinker and Kellogg Foundations. The Tinker Fellowship supported performances in South America, where he also studied South American music with Carlevaro in Uruguay and Antonio Lauro in Venezuela, and Brazilian music at the Museu Villa-Lobos in Rio de Janeiro.

STEPHEN MATTINGLY has been warmly received by audiences in the United States and Europe as a soloist and with the Tantalus Guitar Quartet.  Gaining a reputation as a scholar, Steve was the recipient of the prestigious Theodore Presser Award, for which he directed and performed on a recording of the complete guitar chamber music by Franz Schubert.  As an advocate for the advancement of the arts, Steve is Director of Membership and Development for the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), a board member of the Sierra Nevada Guitar Society and, co-director of the Sierra Nevada Guitar Festival and Competition.  As an avid pedagogue, he has appeared as a guest lecturer or faculty member at the GFA Convention, the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium in Germany , the Acadia International Guitar Festival in Canada , and the College Music Society.   Dr. Mattingly enjoys a vibrant career as Professor of Guitar at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada where he teaches guitar and music courses.  Recordings by Stephen Mattingly and by the Tantalus Quartet are available online at iTunes, CD Baby, and ClearNote Publications.  http://stephenmattingly.com

NATHAN FISCHER has built a unique career as a performer, teacher, and an entrepreneur with a vision for the arts. As a concert artist, Nathan's performances have been described as having "a wide range of color and covering passages of sensitive emotion to fiery passion" - The Washington Guitar Society. Nathan has a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Eastman School of Music in Guitar Performance and Literature, where he developed his inviting performing and teaching personality. In 2004, he received the Andrés Segovia Award for Musical Accomplishment and Human Endeavor, and has been distinguished as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Nathan Fischer is currently founder and President of the International Guitar Institute and is on faculty with the University of Nevada in Las Vegas; where he teaches guitar, history and literature of the guitar, and guitar pedagogy. His recording, Images, was released in 2000. www.nathanfischer.com