Lawrence Ferrara has the distinction of being the first guitarist to receive a master's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His teachers have included Julian Bream, George Sakellarious and Michael Lorimer. He currently serves on the faculty of San Francisco City College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has performed major recitals in San Francisco, Toronto, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Sydney and at the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York. He has given concerts at numerous university and college campuses. He has performed with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, the Bay Chamber Symphony, the Classical Philharmonic, The Vallejo and Merced Symphonies, the San Francisco Conservatory's Chamber Orchestra and the New Music Ensemble. Among many awards earned, Mr. Ferrara was twice prize winner at the Carmel Classic Guitar Competition and recived special recognition at the Toronto International Guitar Competition. He has also served on the Music Advisory Panel to the National Endowment of the Arts. Mr. Ferrara is the author and performer of a sequence of music books titled "The Student Repertoire Series for Guitar," with accompanying CD's, published by Guitar Solo of San Francisco.

Beginning and IntermediateGuitar ~ with Larry Ferrara

Suitable for all levels, this intensive course will both introduce guitar to the beginner and further develop fundamental skills for intermediate players. The focus will be on finger style guitar playing, reading notes and tablature, learning pieces, playing chords to songs with added strumming and classical arpeggios, learning basic music theory, and developing guitar technique.

The classes will be structured with a combination of group study and private lessons, providing opportunity for both one-on-one time and group ensemble. These meetings will bring together the enjoyed practice and performance of daily lessons with others while furthering private time to work on one's own musical projects.

Advanced students can take advantage of private lessons to meet specific musical needs or questions and atthe same time the group work will provide ensemble experience and the practice in performing with others.

The goal of the class will be to inspire, relax, and create beautiful music. You will play, perform, and learn pieces, under the pines and starlit nights. Opportunities will exist to form guitar ensembles and to play your newly learned works. The weeklong guitar activities will culminate in a fun and lively concert.