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Composer  

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Chamber

 

John Dearman is a renowned classical guitarist and founding member of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He was born on August 22, 1959, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Dearman started playing the guitar at the age of nine and was soon performing in public. Dearman studied music at California State University, Northridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance. He continued his studies at the University of Southern California, where he received a Master of Music degree in guitar performance. During his time at USC, he studied with the renowned guitarist Pepe Romero. In 1980, Dearman co-founded the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) with three other guitarists: William Kanengiser, Scott Tennant, and Andrew York. The quartet quickly gained recognition for their innovative arrangements and virtuosic performances. They have since released over 20 albums and won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album in 2005. Dearman has also performed as a soloist and chamber musician, collaborating with artists such as flutist James Galway and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. He has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl. One of Dearman's most notable performances was at the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival in Los Angeles, where he performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He also performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the LAGQ. Dearman has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1983, he won first prize in the Guitar Foundation of America's International Solo Competition. He has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. In addition to his performing career, Dearman is also a respected educator. He has taught at California State University, Northridge, and the University of Southern California. He has also conducted masterclasses and workshops around the world. Dearman is known for his innovative approach to the guitar, incorporating a wide range of musical styles into his performances. He has also been a champion of contemporary music, commissioning and premiering works by composers such as Leo Brouwer and Ian Krouse. Dearman continues to perform and record with the LAGQ, as well as pursuing his solo career. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential classical guitarists of his generation, and his contributions to the world of classical music have been significant and lasting.

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