Peabody Fret Fest

Post concert with Ben Verdery, Franco Platino (soloist) and Manuel Barrueco.

Last week at @peabodyinstitute’s 15th FretFest was pretty special for me, and I am profoundly grateful for the experience. A massive thanks to Zoe Johnstone Stewart and Risa Carlson for going on a rollercoaster journey with me to premiere my new piece, Childhood, and for being incredible artists and thoughtful leaders. Deep thanks also to the Peabody guitar faculty/students who brought true mastery to a crazy difficult composition in short order (Franco Platino was mesmerizing!).

Julian Dutra Aniceto conducting Peabody guitar faculty, the Barrueco Guitar Studio, and Preparatory students at the premiere of “Childhood.”

A VERY special thanks to the incomparable Manuel Barrueco for coaching his students on the piece and to Juliano Dutra Aniceto for his wonderful conducting and kindred and generous musical spirit. Everyone showed exactly why Peabody is amongst the best music institutions in the world. Getting to share in the event with the immense artistry of my forever-teacher Benjamin Verdery is something I’ll always treasure. Finally, thanks to Augustine Strings foundation for supporting the guitar community in such a meaningful way.