Michael Chapdelaine, Musician

Michael Chapdelaine is the only guitarist ever to win First Prize in the world’s top competitions in both the Classical and Fingerstyle genres; the Guitar Foundation of America International Classical Guitar Competition and the National Fingerstyle Championships at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield , Kansas.

Michael is Professor of Music and head of guitar studies at the University of New Mexico, and has previously been on the faculties of the University of Colorado at Denver and Metropolitan State University. He has given master classes throughout the world including, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, Venezuela, Taiwan, Indonesia and at institutions such as, University of Miami, Mannes School of Music, University of Texas, and California State University. His teachers included the great Spanish maestro Andres Segovia.

Michael was filmed for SOTK performing on a Laurie Williams guitar in the Napa Valley, California. His performance with New Zealand vocalist and songwriter Jessie Coutts drew standing ovations at the Mondavi Taste 3 concert. Michael and Jessie are recording a album for world release.

Michael’s response to Laurie’s Kauri guitar:

“Thank you 1000000000000 for involving me in your amazing work….. the guitar…….oh my god……I simply loved it. There is no better guitar on earth in my experience. I am really quite haunted by it. I miss it, though I played it less than 3 hours. Never felt anything quite like this about a guitar…… Haunted………. Un abrazo.”

More about Michael on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_chapdelaine