A native of New England, award winning guitarist Peter Clemente is a frequent recitalist and committed music educator. An eclectic musician with influences from both classical and improvisatory traditions, his playing has been described as “sumptuous classical guitar” (Camden Herald), and “haunting expressiveness” (Worcester Telegram and Gazette). Mr. Clemente’s performance career began with First Prize awards in the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Solo Competition in 1986 and the Ovation Classical Guitar Competition in 1981. In addition, he was chosen by maestro Andres Segovia as a finalist in the Segovia Fellowship Competition held at New York University in 1984, and was a Second Prize winner in the International Guitar Competition of Puerto Rico in 1985. He has since performed in solo and chamber music settings throughout New England and beyond. Some noteworthy performances include those for Bay Chamber Concerts, Boston and CT Classical Guitar Societies, Rochester Chamber Music Society, WCRB Copley Square Concert Series, and at venues such as Weill Hall (with soprano Katherine Emory), Mechanics Hall, Cornell University, Jordan Hall, University of Texas and many more. He currently devotes considerable time to teaching as an Artist/Teacher in Guitar at The Hartt School, and at Assumption University where, in addition to the guitar, he has designed courses in world music – an area of secondary emphasis inspired by the music of Astor Piazzolla.
Education
BM – The Hartt School, University of Hartford
MM – New England Conservatory
DMA – The Hartt School, University of Hartford
Courses Taught
Intro to World Music
Global Pop
Music Theory I & II
Music in the United States
Fundamentals of Music and Musicianship
Music History
Awards
First Prize, Guitar Foundation of America’s International Solo Competition, 1986
Second Prize, International Guitar Competition of Puerto Rico, 1985
First Prize, Ovation classical Guitar Competition, 1981
Finalist, Segovia International Fellowship Competition, 1984
Publications
“Grace” with Saxophonist Grace Kelly (recording/album)
“Fast Falls the Eventide” Shadow Mountain Records, Utah (recording/album)
The Structural and Cyclical Organization of Astor Piazzolla’s Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas (Proquest/DMA Essay)
Presentations
Concert Performances
Bay Chamber Concerts, Camden, ME
Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, MA
Boston and CT Classical Guitar Societies
Rochester VT Chamber Music Society
University of Texas
Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA
WCRB Copley Square Concert Series
Gardner Museum
Weill Hall, NYC
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, No. Adams
Spire Center, Plymouth, MA