July 29 - July 31, 2011
WORKSHOP INFORMATION
Workshops and Open Stage
The Canadian Guitar Festival Workshops have been consistently one of the most popular events. We have been very fortunate to feature some of the most talented artists in the world and this year is no exception.
*** Although the schedule is precise in terms of appearances, specific start times can (and often do ) vary. ***
Saturday July 30, 2011
10:15 am workshop: David Barrett
As well as many collaborations, David has a series of self produced solo guitar albums. In addition to being a premiere guitarist, Barrett is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, with his music often heard in film and television.
In recent years, Barrett played lead guitar with The Classic Albums Live series, was the Director Of Special Events at The Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association, and a coach at The League Of Rock. David is now conducting guitar workshops and playing concerts in Canada with the Dave Barrett Trio.
Dave will discuss writing, arranging, and producing guitar music and will showcase his recent collaborations with guitarist Alex Lifeson from Rush as vibrant examples.
The Dave Barrett Trio web site
(opens in a new window)
11:00 am workshop: Kelly Velleau
Kelly Valleau is a spanish fingerstyle guitarist hailing from the "Great White North", that's Canada if yeah didn't know eh!....the breeding ground for spanish fingerstyle guitarists. A performer, composer, arranger, transcriber, teacher, student and all around good guy. This multi-dimensional guitarist has forged a unique solo guitar style, firmly rooted in classical composition with modern guitar techniques.
Kelly lists his influences in the following charming and novel way:
In the beginning: David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett. In the middle: Agustin Barrios, Ludwig Van Beethoven , J.K. Mertz, Roland Dyens. In the end: Family, friends, teachers, students, Us, and them....Me, and you. Black and blue....Up and down. Down and out.....With, without.
12:15 pm workshop: J.P. Cormier
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sideman, innovator, recording artist, award winner; J.P. Cormier is a young man with an old soul.J.P. began playing guitar, self taught, at the age of 5 and quickly became immersed in the rich musical heritage of his Cape Breton roots. By the age of 9, he was considered a genuine prodigy and won his first guitar competition against 30 other players three times his age. Between the ages of 11 and 16, J.P. began displaying another unique talent - it seemed he could play almost any stringed instrument he picked up!
In 2005, J.P. was among the winners in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC). The ISC, one of the most prestigious song competitions in the world, reviewed 11,000 submissions from over 70 countries to arrive at the list of 48 winners. J.P. placed third in the Instrumental category for his original guitar piece "Rollo Boys Reel". His impressive body of work has also earned him at 5 East Coast Music Awards (and nominations in double figures), two 2005 MIANS awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and the ISC win.
1:00 pm workshop: Montreal Guitar Trio
Described by the CBC as "the hottest guitar ensemble in Canada", the MG3 has quickly established itself as a force of rejuvenation and cross-pollenization between various musical forms. Marrying passionate virtuosity with a stealthy sense of humour, guitarists Glenn Lévesque, Marc Morin and Sébastien Dufour at once charmed the ears of seasoned critics and captured the hearts of their (now ever-expanding) audiences.
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Open mic
Sunday July 31, 2011
3:45 pm: Workshop in the round
We have a very special workshop scheduled - featuring Don Ross (top left), Stephen Bennett (top right), Gareth Pearson (bottom left), and the 2011 winner of the Canadian Fingerstlye Guitar Competition!
One of today's true innovators of guitar composition and technique, Don Ross is one of the most respected musicians in Canada and one of the top guitarists in the world. In September 1996, he managed to do what no other player has done: win the prestigious U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship for the second time (he first won in 1988). The competition, held yearly in Winfield, Kansas, cannot be won only with immaculate technique, but the player's music must also display a high degree of emotion and intensity — hallmarks of Don's style. Don continues to do extensive touring in Europe, Canada, the United States and Asia's Pacific Rim. When he's not on the road, Don lives with his family in Halifax on the east coast of Canada.
Stephen Bennett is an extraordinary musician, an acknowledged master of the harp guitar, a challenging teacher, a gifted composer, and a performer of astounding sensitivity. The Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association calls him “the Jedi Master of Fingerstyle Guitar”. Whether playing his great-grandfather's harp guitar, his 1930 National Steel or a standard 6-string, Stephen Bennett is a musician to hear. His playing has won awards and critical praise. In live performance and on record, his diverse musical influences and interests are joined with a lifelong love affair with the sound of guitar strings.
Born and raised in Wales, Gareth Pearson took up guitar at 14 years old. His dedication and hard work earned him an invitation to the prestigious Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in Nashville, by none other than his idol, Tommy Emmanuel. Gareth was only 16 at the time. Gareth’s influences are wide, ranging from guitarists such as Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and others but his own distinctive voice is clearly audible in his own compositions. He released his 2nd album, Urban Echoes Vol 1 last year (Candyrat Records) and has performed at countless festivals and events throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and North America.
See you at the lake!