Guitar Foundation of the Philippines Inc.

Grisha is one of very few guitarists in the world who is reviving the tradition of solo flamenco guitar in a concert setting that was practiced by legendary flamenco masters such as Ramón Montoya and Sabicas. Grisha strives to keep alive older flamenco masterpieces that now exist only on records, by performing them in concerts. Instead of merely copying, he creates his own interpretations of these masterpieces, using dynamics and tone colors usually associated with classical guitar.

Born in Mexico City, Mr. Rubio has been considered by international critics as one of the most outstanding guitarists of his generation due to his technique and his expressive musicianship. He studied at the Estudio de Arte Guitarristico with the Argentinian Maestro Manuel Lopez Ramos and his postgraduate at The Boston Conservatory of Music receiving the maximum honors.

Rodrigo Rodriguez was born in Quito Ecuador, South America. Coming from a very musical family, he started playing guitar at the age of 9, recording his first LP at the age of 12. When he was 16, he started to travel the world to increase his knowledge in the instrument, performing in Venezuela, Spain, France, England and Damascus, Syria. In 1986, he was invited to teach classical guitar by Eastfield College in Mesquite Texas.

Dadap was born in Barangay Bangcas B Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, on November 5, 1935, into a family of musicians, one of the 14 children of Dionesia Amper and Vedasto Dadap. His first exposure to music was at a local Protestant church, where he grew up with the hymns of Handel, Mozart and Beethoven. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1964 from the University of the Philippines, majoring in conduction. In 1971, he went to study composition and conducting at the Mannes College of Music in New York City and three years later made his debut performance at Carnegie Recital Hall. He also toured as a musical performer in other parts of the United States, Europe and the Far East.

Guitarist Bob Basa has been a resident of Santa Cruz, California since 1986. He teaches Jazz and Brasilian styles and performs as a solo artist and also in small ensembles. Except for a one-year study of jazz guitar he is mainly self-taught and considers himself an ‘ear-player’.

A guitarist spends money to buy new strings because he practices often and the strings wear fast. He listens to the beauty of the sound rather than look for small scratches caused by his playing or minute imperfections which actually are signs of handmade craftsmanship. He does not spend money on gadgets or cosmetics. He respects his guitar but never becomes a slave to it. Rather, he takes command and pulls out his guitar from its case whenever he desires to practise and enjoy it more. He checks his fingernails to see if it needs trimming, but not at the guitar.

Kochira Takane is a singer-songwriter and a Shamisen player from Okinawa Japan. His original style fascinates children to elderly audience all over the world.

Prof. Jose Valdez has taught and lectured on the rudiments of classical guitar for 45 years, he has enriched guitar studies by introducing subjects such as“Applied Music with an 8 Level Course,” “Progressive Studies in Philippine Guitar Music,” “The Art of Transcribing and Arranging for the Guitar” and “Guitar History and Literature,” among others.. Read more at http://verafiles.org/articles/classical-guitar-maestro-finally-gets-his-due

FILIPINO guitarist Ramoncito Carpio started to play guitar at age 12. He decided to study guitar formally at age 17 at the extension program of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Music. He earned his Bachelor of Music, major in Guitar at the UP College of Music under the tutelage of professor Lester Demetillo. He completed his Master of Music Degree at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) School of Music under the guidance of professor Benchito Cariño and thereafter continued to pursue doctoral studies in music with Dr. Angelito Agcaoili. Read more at https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/70715

Terrence Naparan is a Math, Physics and Music teacher with the Department of Education. He is also an accomplished commercial guitarist having played in different music venues in Davao City and at one time was an in-house guitarist at the Philippine Embassy in London from 2009-2012.

Mr. Solomon pursued his studies in guitar playing at the Philippine
Women’s University leading to a Bachelor’s Degree, Major in Music Education
under the tutorship of the renowned Maestro Jose Valdez.

Sparrow Music Guitar Ensemble: Guitar is more than a musical instrument for these children and youth living in a slum area in Payatas, Quezon City. In a community where minors can easily fall prey to violence, crimes, vice and abuses, these young boys and girls found an instrument that helps them shape their lives and a vehicle to get them out of the cycle of poverty.

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St. Scholastica’s Guitar Ensemble is comprised of classical guitar majors of the conservatory. Their collective commitment to the instrument allow them to find time to get together despite the hectic demands of collegiate life. The group has performed in many productions and concerts in the greater Manila area.

Davao City National High School Guitar Ensemble is composed of students who are enrolled in the Special Program for the Arts of the Department of Education. Formed in 2014 by their teacher Mr. Roli Marasigan, the group has staged numerous successful recitals and presentations in the city of Davao.

The Philippine Guitar Sinfonia, the first nationwide assembly of classical guitar performers, consists of two major groups; the Metropolitan Guitar Ensemble whose members come from Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, and the Cebu Guitar Ensemble whose members come from the Visayas and Mindanao.