Mel Bay presents Reaching The Next Level A Method for the Experienced Classical Guitarist
The Illinois Times wrote that guitarist Martha Masters "...is on a swift and certain trajectory to star territory." Masters' playing has been described as "seductive" (Ft. Worth Star Telegram), "intelligent and natural" (Guitar Review), and "refined and elegant" (American Record Guide). She has received critical acclaim as a solo recitalist, as a chamber musician with Duo Erato, and as a soloist with orchestras. Recent concert seasons have included performances on concert series and at festivals in England, Denmark, Spain, Poland, Germany, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and numerous US cities. Martha s first CD, Serenade, is now in its second printing, and her Naxos recital disc sold over 10,000 copies worldwide in the first year of its release. She has three recordings on the GSP label, and a disc with duo partner Risa Carlson. In October of 2000 Martha won first prize in the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Solo Competition, including a recording contract with Naxos, a concert video with Mel Bay, and an extensive North American concert tour. In November of 2000, she also won the AndrÃ©s Segovia International Guitar Competition in Linares, Spain and was a finalist in the Alexandre Tansman International Competition of Musical Personalities in Lodz, Poland. Prior to 2000, Martha was a prizewinner or finalist in numerous other international competitions, including the 1999 International Guitar Competition "Paco Santiago MarÃ­n" in Granada, Spain, the 1998 Tokyo International Guitar Competition and the 1997 GFA International Solo Competition. In addition to leading the guitar program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and extensive masterclass / festival teaching, Martha teaches annually at the National Guitar Workshop Classical Summit in Connecticut, and on WorkshopLive.com. She is also Executive Director of the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), dedicated to supporting the instrument, its players and its music in the US and throughout the world. Martha received both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Manuel Barrueco, and completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California as a student of Scott Tennant.