Virginia Commonwealth University

Nathan Mills, classical guitar

Sunday, September 16
4 p.m.
Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.
General admission: $15, students: $10

Nathan Mills received his bachelor’s degree in classical guitar performance at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. During his time there he was awarded the Jesus Silva Merit Scholarship for guitar. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music performance degree at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina where he has received a full graduate teaching assistantship.
Nathan grew up across North Africa; in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. This gave him the opportunity to absorb many different cultures and to see and experience things that influence and shape him as an individual and a musician today. While in Morocco he studied with guitarist Marcelo de la Puebla, for whom the great Cuban composer Leo Brouwer dedicated his piece, Variaciones sobre un tema de Victor Jara. Throughout his career, Nathan has also studied under John Patykula (head of the VCU guitar program who studied under Mexican classical guitar virtuoso Jesus Silva), Elliot Frank (head of the ECU guitar program), Douglas Niedt (head of the guitar department of the University of Missouri at Kansas City), Steve Ashby, and David Toussaint. Nathan has also had the great opportunity to perform in master classes for several acclaimed artists including Jason Vieaux and the Assad Brothers.
Nathan plays a David J. Pace double-top guitar.

Torcuato Zamora, flamenco and classical guitar
with flamenco dancers Estela Velez and Daniel Paredez

Sunday, October 7, 4 p.m. 
Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.
General admission: $15, students: $10

Torcuato Zamora was born amidst the rhythms and legends of Granada in Spain. At the age of five he moved to Barcelona where he began studying classical guitar. At age fifteen he began giving concerts professionally with his professors Ramon Delgado and Graciano Tarrago. In college he was a solo guitarist with La Tuna, the traditional Spanish college music ensemble. He has performed for the King and Queen of Spain. His international credits include concerts in Luxembourg, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Canada.  Mr. Zamora came to the United States in the 1960’s and since that time has devoted himself to presenting the music of his country, flamenco, as well as classical and South American music and his own compositions. He has toured the U.S. with the Jose Molina Spanish Dance Company. He now resides in Washington, D.C. where he has dominated the Spanish music scene. Mr. Zamora has his own academy of Spanish and classical guitar in Silver Spring, Maryland.

David Robinson, classical guitar

Sunday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m. 
Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.
General admission: $15, students: $10

David Robinson received his Bachelor of Music degree in composition and Master of Music degree in classical guitar performance from Virginia Commonwealth University where he studied under Dika Newlin, Peter Knell, Cory Blake and John Patykula. Mr. Robinson is the current Director of Guitar Studies at the Collegiate School in Henrico County, Virginia and adjunct professor in VCU’s Music Department. During his time at the Collegiate School his guitar ensembles have been chosen to perform at the International Villa-Lobos festival and St. Joseph’s Villa 75th anniversary celebration. Mr. Robinson is an avid composer and arranger and has had pieces performed by the VCU Guitar Ensemble, Latin Ballet of Virginia, Manchester High School Guitar Ensemble, Collegiate Guitar Ensembles, and the Richmond Guitar Quartet.  Over the past 15 years, Mr. Robinson has also performed alongside his wife, in the Robinson Guitar Duo, serving the community at weddings, parties, special events, and concerts. They have performed at the Alexandria Guitar Festival, The Gellman Room, Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall, The Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center, and Center Stage. Mr. Robinson lives in Powhatan County with his wife Kathy and their four children; Dylan, Spencer, Sammy, and Daisy.

The Richmond Guitar Quartet

Sunday, March 17, 4 p.m.
Vlahcevic Concert Hall in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.
General admission: $15, students: $10

Four of the finest classical guitarists this side of the James River comprise the Richmond Guitar Quartet, an ensemble that crosses boundaries. In 2011, the Quartet crafted new arrangements for a concert at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, to complement a highly successful exhibit of works by Picasso. Over seven years, the quartet has performed at venues across the state of Virginia. Each member of the group is an active performer and music teacher in the Richmond Area. Hailed for their creative programming and refined virtuosity, The Richmond Guitar Quartet provides listeners with an intricate patchwork of sound. The quartet's concerts blend original compositions with new arrangements in a compelling diversity of styles. Twenty-four nylon strings weave common thread between great pieces of music from every age, including this one. Expect the instrument and music you love in ways you've never heard them.

"All four are fine players with taste and a real sense of balance. Bravo!"
guitarist/composer Roland Dyens

“Fascinating, Compelling, and Satisfying…..the Richmond Guitar Quartet shows infinite promise.”  -  Jesse Hernandez, Flair Magazine