Michael Root
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I am a professional classical guitarist based in Las Vegas, Nevada. I’ve performed in concerts around the world, and I play wedding ceremonies and background music as well. I’m currently teaching and pursuing a doctorate of music at UNLV.
I’m fortunate enough to be from and to have grown up in Asheville, North Carolina, located in the mountainous western part of the state. The beauty of the region as well as the cultural emphasis on the arts were very inspirational to me. I didn’t grow up in a music-playing family but my parents were very supportive of my artistic pursuits, which began with playing the trumpet at my local middle school. I continued to play music in high school but switched to the instrument I’d come to love, the guitar, playing in a rock and roll band.
I fell in love with and began my studies of classical music at Brevard College, a small liberal arts school near Asheville. I was taught there first by Roger Cope and later by Louis Mowad, who encouraged me to transfer to a larger guitar program. Heeding this advice I transferred to UNC School of the arts, where I finished first my bachelor’s, then my master’s of music degree in guitar performance and pedagogy under Joseph Pecoraro. Now I’m pursuing a doctorate of music at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, concluding my studies with the virtuoso guitarist Ricardo Cobo.
I’ve played in concerts as far away as Italy, and I prefer playing solo classical guitar above all else. I particularly like playing the music of contemporary Parisian composer Francis Kleynjans, whom I’ve worked with in person. In addition to playing concerts I play wedding ceremonies, something I enjoy greatly. My goal is to concertize as widely as possible, and to become a professor of music.
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