About

Hello! My name is Edward Grigassy!

How are you doing? I hope you are well.

I'm a teacher, guitarist, bandleader and organizer based in Houston, Texas, USA and it's great to meet you.

Let me know what you'd like to accomplish on guitar, and I will enthusiastically coach you to attain your goals.

I was extremely fortunate to study with great masters of the instrument who enthusiastically encouraged me in my guitar studies.

In the '90's I was fortunate enough to study classical guitar with the virtuoso guitarist Adam Holzman at the University of Texas (Austin), whose technique I continue to use every time I play guitar! (Bachelor of Arts Degree, UT Austin 1996).

Then I was so lucky to audition and be part of the Eliot Fisk studio at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where I completed a Master's Degree (1998) in Classical Guitar. If you have ever met or heard Eliot Fisk perform or speak you know that you are in the presence of greatness and human brilliance. It was an honor to work with him on some unforgettable music.

And incredibly I got to study jazz guitar with Gene Bertoncini, for the first time at NEC as well. I have been so thankful to continue regular studies with Gene since then 9for the last 25 years!). He is truly THE world vanguard guitarist of performing jazz on the classical guitar.

I also have been fortunate to travel and study many forms of music. I love Latin American styles of guitar playing! including Bolero, Pasillo, Bambuco, Joropo, Vals, Argentine Tango, Bossa Nova, and Samba.

My super-cool day job is an instructor for the guitar program at Bellaire High School, where my students participate in regular recitals and regional competitions.

I have also been honored to have been able to share my musical journey with audiences, as a soloist, along with Rodrigo Gamboa in the Carnaval Guitar Duo, and in larger ensembles, throughout the United States and Central America.

I got to play on live on public radio and television morning shows.

In addition to presenting solo and duo guitar, I get to also lead the Old School Swing Band and Latin Carnaval, each group specializing in fun, upbeat dance music of the western hemisphere.

And on top of all that, I have had the profound honor of getting to organize or co-organize many guitar festivals including: the Summer Guitar Conservatory, the Guitar Congress of Nicaragua, the Houston ISD Guitar Festival, the Brazilian Guitar Workshop and the Bellaire High School Guitar Festival.

I am passionate about getting people together to play guitar, develop their skills, and share fun musical ideas with each other. I hope to collaborate with you, your student, or to share ideas about guitar and guitar education!

Best regards of the day!

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Edward Grigassy