Eric Brockschmidt was born in Pittsburgh into a musical family. He received his first guitar by the age of eight, and had already begun private piano lessons. At the age of twelve, he began to study the guitar with a teacher; this lasted for about a year. Continuing his studies on his own, the young guitarist did not work with a teacher until his time at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
At the University, Eric decided to enter the music program, and studied with Irving Kauffman, Principal Chair of Fretted Instruments for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Eric also began studying jazz with the University’s Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Keith Young. As part of his studies, Eric participated in both solo and group settings playing both jazz and classical repertoires. His performance experience included a solo concert, small clubs in the area, private events and a tour of local schools.
After completing his Bachelors degree requirements, Eric returned to Pittsburgh where he continued to study privately under Irving. Here, he began teaching at a small studio where he continues to do so today. He also began playing throughout the city at local Starbucks, Club Café, Borders and Artist Image Resources, a local art gallery. In 2004, he decided to pursue his Master’s Degree, and was subsequently accepted into the Duquesne School of Music’s Classical Guitar Program.
At Duquesne, Eric studied privately with Thomas Kikta, a student of the Classical Guitar great Aaron Shearer, whose revolutionary methods were passed down to Eric. Here he was also exposed to the many master classes presented by the University. He attended classes by Manuel Barruecco, Ana Vidovic, Celin and Pepe Romero of Los Romeros and played for Ricardo Iznoala and Xuefei Yang. Eric played regular concerts in the PNC Recital Hall in solo and ensemble settings, in private performances for the Dean of the Music School and a performance for the Literary Society to name a few of the more notable concerts. During this time he also continued to play jazz at local venues including the Rex Theatre, Dowe’s on Ninth and Gullifty’s. He has recently taken a teaching position with Duquesne University’s City Music Center.
Eric has since finished his Masters work and continues to live, teach and play in the Pittsburgh area. He maintains a large repertoire of solo Classical music as well as a Jazz and Rock repertoire as well. He continues to study on his own to improve his abilities.
do you think you getting held up by gunpoint and me getting held up by knife point is a competition or are we brothers in being mugees? i think i win cause i handed over €60 and you gave your man pesto or some shit
You should come to a house warming party at my new house in the N. Hills this Friday 11/16, 9pm. If you're goin out, stop by for some kegs & pong as a quality old school pre-game. Lemme know. 412-298-7448 ~Jonny F
hey, let me know if my old house burns down. i forgot a couple of things there and would like to know if i'm going to need to replace them when i get back.
also, don't you think it's a bit strange that you wrote about yourself in the third person? who do you think you are, Karl Malone?
