John Williams, Manuel Barrueco, Pepe Romero, David Russell, Denis Azabagic, Jason Vieaux, Sharon Isbin, Andres Segovia. Kirk Hammett, Randy Rhoads, Dave Matthews
Benjamin Pila is the only classical guitarist that has been chosen to be a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. An avid performer, he has played at Alice Tully Hall, Avery-Fisher Hall and the Kaplan Penthouse in New York City's Lincoln Center. He has also played at the Concert Hall in the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Mr. Pila was invited to perform next to Ground Zero at the 2007 September 11th Commemoration Ceremony.
Mr. Pila's playing has been featured on the Today Show on NBC as well as on the National Public Radio program From the Top. He was awarded ASCAP's Best Performance of a Contemporary Work and was the Young Artist of the Year in the Florida Chapter of the American String Teacher's Association. Mr. Pila was the grand prize winner of the Tampa Bay Symphony's Concerto Competition and has won prizes in the ASTA National Solo Competition, the NFAA youngARTS Competition, and the National Guitar Workshop Solo Competition. In 2002, he was the first guitarist to receive the Ruth Eckerd Hall Scholarship in the Performing Arts.
Benjamin currently holds four Fellowships through the Juilliard School: He is a Gluck Community Service Fellow, an Instrumental Music Program Fellow, a mentor to the McCabe Guitar Fellows, and a Morse Fellow. These programs are designed to introduce educational components into classical music performance and also to integrate music performance into classroom settings.
Mr. Pila's teachers include Sharon Isbin, Bruce Holzman, John Parris, Manuel Barrueco, Eduardo Fernandez, Oscar Ghilia, and Pepe Romero. He is currently pursuing his Master's Degree at The Juilliard School in New York City. This summer, he will be the Teaching Assistant for guitar at the Aspen Music School and Festival.
Ben - Thanks for the add! I really enjoyed listening to your acoustic guitar playing! Your song set from above was terrific! Have a great week and take care - Pat
Yes, Cockman is the convention manager, but we're not playing this year. I am however performing for the Luthier's Showcase, so I'll no doubt be getting a Grammy from that little gem...then maybe you'll want to play with me too!
Not yet. Looks like the move from Savannah is going to be September. Tamara and I are going to do house/apt hunting after I get back from Tahoe and GFA in August. Should be pretty sweet. How's yer life going? Are you done with Aspen?
lol That is pretty funny. I've been pretty good. About to head down the aisle soon. That should be exciting. When you coming back to Tampa?? Take it easy. Talk to you soon. When do you leave for CA?
Auditions for what? doctoral studies?...If you start your doctorate next year then you will be a first year Doc student when I am a second year. That would mean that only a half of each of us could exist in the same realm. If you put those 2 halves together, we could form some kinda of megaperson that would rule the existence of the guitar world. But where would our other halves go? they would not unite, but cease to exist. Its very sad and beautiful at the same time KPF
