João Luiz – Classical Guitar Concert

Two time Latin Grammy nominee guitarist, educator, and composer João Luiz, began to play the popular music of his native Brazil professionally during his childhood and was later trained in classical guitar by his mentor Henrique Pinto. 

Scholar/Educator. João holds a masters degree from Mannes College. As the recipient of the Augustine  Foundation scholarship he earned his doctoral degree from Manhattan School of Music.  He is the director of chamber music at  CUNY Hunter College and also teaches guitar at Stony Brook University and Mannes College.  He is a recipient of the prestigious 2023 CUNY Feliks Gross award in recognition of his  outstanding scholarship which caps a career distinguished by innovation and inspiration.    

Composer. Luiz’s Harp Concerto Recife written for  Bridget Kibbey was premiered by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019. His concertino for guitar and strings MadriAfro I was premiered in New York by the São Paulo Chamber Soloists in 2022.    Recent commissions include works for the USC Thornton School of Music guitar department,  NYC Master Chorale, Duo Amaris, GFA, and Duo Sonidos. 

Performer. João has performed extensively in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America.  He is equally at home with classical, Brazilian and world music.  His solo  guitar, chamber music, and concerto repertoire cover all the main works in the guitar literature from Dowland to Berio.  And his Brazilian rhythms extend from choro to baião. This versatility led  him to be chosen to collaborate with Yo-Yo Ma and Carlos Prieto on a project to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Cuban composer Leo Brouwer in a landmark concert in Cuba in 2014.

Recording.  João has recorded more than  fifteen CDs playing solo, duo, trio and in quartet, most of which have featured his  arrangements of classical or Brazilian works.