Your Classical Guitar Input Here

Susan Heffron

by Susan Heffron
(Syracuse, NY USA)

I picked up an acoustic guitar in fourth grade and developed a passion to play classical guitar in high school; upon hearing Carlos Montoya in concert I was in awe of the enchanting music.

I also received a Segovia album (Castles of Spain) and a Christopher Parkening Album from my sister as a birthday present, and I wanted so much to play like them that I started lessons with Joseph Jewell and also went to New York State Music Camp in Oneonta, New York at Hartwick College for voice and guitar.

At first I had trouble with this difficult instrument, since Mr. Jewell had high doubts of my mastery, but when I went to Hartwick-
bully! I knocked his socks off when I came back.

Something I learned there clicked, and lo and behold, I was named a virtuoso by my high school chorus teacher when I played for my music theory class one day.

Now I have been playing for nearly fifteen years, and I absolutely love it! I even received a beautiful Ibanez guitar for Christmas one year and my late grandfather made me a wooden stool for my left foot for proper guitar positioning.

My late grandmother also encouraged me, and I will be eternally grateful to them for the wonderful, universal language of music. I still consider myself an amateur, as I have no formal degree in the performing arts.