Cleveland Classical Guitar Society believes that all youth have the right to high quality arts instruction. The Education Program is designed to fight inequities and reduce barriers to instruction for kids in the City of Cleveland. CCGS provides exceptional teachers, curricula, guitars, and more at no cost to the students; while the students bring creativity, ambition, imagination, dedication and passion.
The results have been profound. A story produced by Cleveland Metropolitan School District on CCGS’s program won a 2021 regional Emmy. CCGS students were commissioned to write the theme music for the podcast series The Asterisk*, presented by the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, the only American book prize focusing on works that address racism and diversity. Alumnus Damian Goggans, who began playing guitar with CCGS in eighth grade, has been accepted into nationally renowned programs, appeared on national news, and received a full scholarship to a major music conservatory. CCGS is one of only eight organizations in the Cleveland Foundation’s Arts Mastery Initiative.
This program is funded by people who want to create positive change.
Increasing access to instrumental music
affords all students the opportunity to express themselves, think creatively,
and realize their potential in music, school, and beyond.
Interested in learning more about CCGS Education? See media interviews on our Watch & Listen page.
Arts Mastery: CCGS Education
In this short video (below) students, principals, and teachers talk about the impact of Cleveland Classical Guitar Society’s Education Program, which is part of the Cleveland Foundations’s Arts Mastery initiative.
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Students recitals create meaningful connections
Family engagement is strengthened through such events as the December 2022 Student Showcase, which included 47 students performing, 180 family members attending, and a community meal. See the montage video above.
CCGS Education has been serving hundreds of students per year across the City of Cleveland, for over a decade!
Composers in Residence
The fundamental purpose of the CCGS Composers in Residence Program is to provide a direct connection between our students and passionate, talented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) composers-guitarists. Our students present the world premiere of many of these works. The video below is a montage of our 2022 Cleveland Community Celebration, which included many world premieres. Find out more about Composers in Residence here.
Student Events with
International Series Artists
Each year, all of our International Series artists work with CCGS students, typically in their schools. These events provide an opportunity to meet and learn from world-renowned artists, and serve as an outlet for students to share performances of pieces they learn in their lessons. Here is a virtual collaboration with Berta Rojas (above) which connected CCGS students with teens in Paraguay.
Interested in contacting CCGS Staff with questions about the Education Program?
Please send us a message via the CCGS contact form.