Andrés Hidalgo

Biography

Andrés Hidalgo Acuña

Classical Guitarist and Computer Musician was born in Valdivia, Chile, however moved at an early age to Venezuela where he lived and studied in Mérida and Caracas.

After been awarded scholarships he moved to Hartford, Connecticut and Baltimore, Maryland, USA to pursue further studies.

He obtained undergraduate degree and postgraduate degree from prestigious Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. He studied Classical Guitar with Aldo Lagrutta, Leopoldo Igarza, Douglas Esteves, Leo Brouwer, Ray Chester, Julian Gray, Manuel Barrueco among others, and Jazz Guitar with Paul Bollenbach, Gary Thomas.

He has performed solo recitals in Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and the United States.

In addition to his love for the guitar, his passion for technology and computing motivated him to pursue post-graduate studies in Computer Music at the Peabody Computer Music Department of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studied under Dr. Geoffrey Wright, Dr. Greg Boyle and Dr. Ichiro Fujinaga.

In 2005 returns to his homeland Chile to recover after an accident that almost cost him his life.

Versión en Español aquí

Education

1985-1987 School of Humanities, and the School of Music at the University of the Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.

Conducts studies of Literature and Art History and Criticism at the School of Humanities at the University of the Andes. At the same time, studied Theory and Classical Guitar with Venezuelan guitarist Leovigildo Díaz, professor at the School of Music of the University of he Andes. He also studies harmony and composition with professor A. Sublete.

1988-90 National Conservatory "Jose Angel Lamas" in Caracas, Venezuela.

Study Classical Guitar in the chairs of the teachers: Douglas Estévez, Leopold Igarza and Aldo Lagrutta. Advances six levels in just two years. Also study Music Theory, Complementary Piano, Harmony and Music History.

1989-1995 Studies at Aldo Lagrutta's private studio, Caracas, Venezuela; Hartford, Connecticut and Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

During a period of intense studies -at the same time as been enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University as a full-time student- conducts private studies with virtuoso Venezuelan guitarist Aldo Lagrutta, with emphasis on the study of Venezuelan music for guitar; Johann Sebastian Bach's baroque music for Lute; works of the romantic virtuosos Mauro Giulliani, Fernando Sor and the Francisco Tárrega; and the Latin American music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, Agustin Barrios and Leo Brouwer. Furthermore he studied the methods and concert etudes for guitar of Aguado, Carcasi, Sor, Villa-lobos and Brouwer.

1991-1994 Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Degree obtained: Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar, mention Performance.

Full scholarship recipient by the Peabody Institute at JHU, graduated in the Dean's list of honor in only three years of studies, at the Ray Chester's studio. Makes numerous performances in Master classes of international renown artists such as Manuel Barrueco and Benjamin Verdery. Other teachers were: Julian Gray - Guitar literature; Ronn McFarlane - Lute and Lute literature; Dr. Thomas Benjamin - Music Theory among others.

1996-1998 Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Master of Music in Classical Guitar, mention Performance.

Studied with Manuel Barrueco and Ray Chester. Full scholarship by the Peabody Institute at JHU. Other teachers: Dr. Thomas Benjamin - Graduate Music Theory, Counterpoint in the style of Bach and Composition Seminar; Vern Falby-Style and Analysis.

1998 Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Master of Music in Computer Music Performance (DIP).

Studied under Dr. Greg Boyle and Dr. Geoffrey Wright. Peabody Computer Music Department Scholarships and grants recipient. Graduate Assistant, Manager of the Computer Music Studios 314 and 307 at the Peabody Computer Music Department.

Work experience

2002-2003 Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. USA
Professor of Guitar, Outreach program

2002-2003 Baltimore School for the Arts, Baltimore, MD. USA
Professor of Classical Guitar

2002 to 2004 Geithersberg, MD. USA
Professor of Classical Guitar

2002-2004 Orleans Art School, Pikesville, MD. USA
Professor of Classical Guitar

2002-2005 Mary's College of Maryland, MD. USA
Professor, Private Instruction Guitar

2007 Guitarte Studio, Santiago, CHILE
Private Instruction, Guitar

2007 Octubre International Guitar Festival Entrecuerdas, CHILE
Tour of the South and North of Chile, recitals in: Corinto, Linares, Frutillar, Valdivia, Curacautín, Cañete, Salamanca and Vallenar

2007 - Present Guitarte Studio, Santiago CHILE
Guitar Instructor

2007 - Present International Guitar Festival Entrecuerdas, CHILE
Webmaster

2009 Short Film El Armario, Talca CHILE
Direct Sound

2009 Short Film El Armario, Santiago CHILE
Sound Post Production

Acknowledgments

Assistantships for the Master of Music in Computer Music Performance. Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Peabody Merit Scholarship for the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Performance in Classical Guitar. Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Del Mar Foundation Grant for outstanding foreign musicians, Washington DC. USA.

Cape Grant Foundation for the Arts, Baltimore, USA.

Talent Award from the Hartt School, University Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Other Skills

Jazz Improvisation
Studied with Gary Thomas, saxophonist of the bands of Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, among others.

Jazz guitar
Studied with Paul Bollenback, former guitarist of Joey DeFrancesco, Dave Valentin, Herb Ellis, Jimmy Bruno, Gary Thomas, East Meets Jazz.

Java Programming with Dr. Greoffrey Wright.

Digital Music Programming
C and C Sound, Max/MSP, Max Externals, Digital Music Programming with Dr. Ichiro Fujinaga.

Languages

English Fluent.
Spanish Native.