Course Descriptions
Guitarlab’s courses fall into two categories: Core “labs” taught by Guitarlab faculty members, and topic-specific workshops taught by Guest Artists. Core Labs are daily and aim to help students gain and improve fundamental skills. Workshops are once daily and include presentations, opportunities for feedback, Q&A, and take-home resources.
Labs
Pre-Concert Warm Up Lab
Time to go beyond standard technique workouts into the specifics. This year's topic: how to warm up backstage before a performance! Guitarlab faculty Bokyung Byun and Jaxon Williams share their secrets to getting ready for the perfect live performance in a variety of situations, will guide you through custom-made warm-ups, and answer any questions you may have about getting ready to perform.
Sight Reading Lab
Improving sight reading skills can open up worlds of opportunity for a classical guitarist! We all say we want to get better at it but never make the time; so let's do it together! Guitarlab faculty Bo and Jaxon will guide you through a more systematic approach to sight reading with activities, reading excerpts, and fun games!
Transcription/Arrangement Lab
A crucial part of being a guitarist today is knowing how to transcribe and arrange. Every guitarist will need to do it at some point, but where to start? Guitarlab Faculty has set up a special lab dedicated to getting you acquainted with Transcribing, Arranging, and will even have you arranging something yourself!
Fretboard Harmony Lab
So, you have killer technique and you can play all the notes on the page perfectly? You're still missing something! Classical guitarists shy away from it, but learning fretboard harmony will help you immensely as a performer, composer, and musician in general. From triads to the CAGED system to improvisation in keys, this lab will help you know the "why" behind the "what" of your guitar fretboard by learning some theory and connecting the dots all over the neck.
Workshops/Masterclasses
Supercharge your Guitar Technique (Kevin Loh)
Kevin Loh is no average guitarist, and this will not be your average technique workshop! Join one of the most technically gifted guitarists of this generation as he shares some of his top secrets to success that will help advanced guitarists reach even greater heights.
From Idea to Impact - A Conversation with ArcoStrum Duo
What does it take to create a successful ensemble today? Just ask Concert Artist Guild-winning duo ArcoStrum! From their supreme technique and musical artistry to their unique programming and on-stage charisma,the Violin/Guitar duo is quickly rising to to the top of the performance sector as a shining model of taking all the right steps. Join GFA-winner TY Zhang (guitar) & Strauss Shi (violin) in a unique "Ask Us Anything"- style conversation about what it takes to create and maintain a wildly successful chamber music ensemble.
"Axé!" Brazilian Rhythms and Music in the Classical Guitar World - Marco Teruel
Brazilian guitarist extraordinaire and newest member of the Guitarlab Faculty joins us from his home country to give a crash course in traditional Brazilian rhythms and music forms. Learn the essential dance and song rhythms that are the secret driving forces behind classic composers we know and love like Villa-Lobos, Gnattali, Assad, etc. and discover new composers and music from one of the most influential countries to the Classical Guitar!
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*Masterclass - Marko Topchii
We are pleased to have the most prolific competition winner and most recent GFA winner joining us for a Masterclass this year! Marko is well-known for unique, adventurous, and daring programming and is a fantastic teacher. *Note: due to limited available slots, not all attendees will be able to play in this masterclass. Be sure to sign up early for Guitarlab as priority will be given in order of application submission.
Other Events
Zoom Hang!
At the end of each day, students, faculty, and guest artists are all invited to stick around for a fun 30 minute zoom "hang". This is our opportunity to let our hair down and talk about anything we want! Hangs usually begin with a rousing game of "Hi Five", where everyone asks the day's guest artist any question they can think of for 5 minutes. After that, anything goes! From deep conversations to jokes and memes, to our classic nerdy "classical guitar guessing games", what happens in the zoom hang stays in the zoom hang!
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Studio Class
Just like a conservatory or university guitar studio, all guitarlab students will get together to perform for each other and receive teaching and feedback in masterclass format and private lesson format from Guitarlab Faculty.