This last week I was in Buffalo, NY presenting some workshops and concerts in classical guitar technique and American music to the students at Niagra County Community College.

Jason Beaudreau, a fellow NGW faculty member, is the director of all things guitar at
'N-triple-C' and organized this trip as part of his guest-guitarist and 'Women in the Arts' series.

On Monday morning, I met with the guitar majors - some classical, some jazz - for another installment of 'The Right Hand Hook-up' clinic. This is my crash-course in right-hand set-up and technique. [Each week at NGW CT (this year weeks 2-5), I give this 2hour clinic as part of the Minor class program.]

That afternoon, Jason and I did a lecture open to all music majors on transfer information, auditioning, interviewing and application (audition tape) advice, internships, developing professional experience, and offered a variety of collected perspectives on the kind of careers available after graduation.

Tuesday was a great radio interview for the SUNY podcast station, and the formal concert. The theme of the concert was American contemporary music - and this repertoire led to a great discussion of the roots of American guitar playing.

Later, I got to meet up with an old friend from St. Joseph's Central High School (Pittsfield, MA) now living in Buffalo - and like any good vistor, we headed to Niagra Falls. My trip ended up with a fun hang with Jim Piorkowski - who just logged in his 25th year as the guitar faculty at Fredonia.

I also heard that my old guitar friend Evan Drummond will be teaching at Buff State in the fall - next time, Evan, we should get a beer.