About CCGS

Cleveland Classical Guitar Society in the Press

Teenage virtuoso Damian Goggans’ journey to Oberlin
"Goggans said Mann has been there for him through family struggles and calls him 'the greatest person I know.'"
November 18, 2021
WKSU
Andrea Caballero: Spanish music & mental strategies
"...it shows an expansion of the instrument...I’m playing pieces for orchestra, on one instrument"
November 16, 2021
ClevelandClassical.com
Celil Refik Kaya returns with Sketches
"Finally, in the pandemic, he found time to return to his old drafts, and Sketches became a reality."
October 23, 2021
ClevelandClassical.com
CCGS: Creative Fusion from start to finish
"...initiating new connections not only with artists abroad, but within Cleveland itself."
July 16, 2021
ClevelandClassical.com
Edel Muñoz in Concert (online)
"Here, as throughout his program, Muñoz played efficiently...He made his job look effortless."
April 21, 2021
ClevelandClassical.com
Emanuele Buono in Concert (online)
"Emanuele Buono a man of few words, which only added to the attractiveness of the program...the guitarist let his artistry speak for itself."
March 23, 2021
ClevelandClassical.com
Stephanie Jones in Concert (online)
"One of the first impressions from the video is Jones’ gift as a communicator, both in words and in music. "
March 1, 2021
ClevelandClassical.com
Raphaël Feuillâtre in Concert (online)
"In these less than ideal times, Raphaël Feuillâtre gave the ideal recital...filmed so intimately that it felt like it was live. "
November 24, 2020
ClevelandClassical.com
Cleveland Doesn’t Only Rock
"'I like to say some organizations have magic, and the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society has magic,' says Courtenay Barton (the Cleveland Foundation)"
April 30, 2020
Towson University Magazine
Pablo Garibay in Concert
"His strengths emerged in the first half: a concern for lifting important tunes out of dense textures, and a deftness in suddenly shifting tone."
November 18, 2019
ClevelandClassical.com
Raphaël Feuillâtre in Concert
"...one of the bright young lights of the guitar world..."
October 9, 2019
ClevelandClassical.com
Classical Guitar with a Hip-Hop Twist
"...the emphasis is on learning through art - and learning through doing."
July 11, 2019
News 5 Cleveland
Judicael Perroy in Concert
"...kept the audience on its toes in the best way possible."
May 21, 2019
ClevelandClassical.com
CCGS appeared on CBS This Morning
"Music's gonna take me somewhere, and I want to see where that is..."
March 15, 2019
CBS This Morning
LAGQ in Concert
"Los Angeles Guitar Quartet in an outstanding concert at First Unitarian Church."
November 12, 2018
ClevelandClassical.com
Ana Vidovic in Concert
"...as the wind tore down trees outside, one of the world’s truly great classical guitarists had just offered a comparably forceful performance."
October 23, 2018
ClevelandClassical.com
2018 Showcase Concert
"...virtuoso pedagogues, rising stars, to a much younger talent: Isaiah Rodriguez, Student of the Year in CCGS’s Education Program."
September 18, 2018
ClevelandClassical.com
Jason Vieaux and Sasha Cooke in Concert Review
"Who needs a piano when a fine guitarist can do the job so eloquently?"
May 15, 2018
ClevelandClassical.com
WKSU 89.7 FM – Radio Interview
"A non-profit arts organization is turning inner-city Cleveland kids into classical guitarists. "
May 10, 2018
WKSU 89.7 FM
Paul Galbraith in Concert Review
" Galbraith demonstrated that...technique and attention to detail remain essential characteristics of the true artist."
March 21, 2018
ClevelandClassical.com
Les Frères Méduses in Concert Review
"At its conclusion the audience burst into appreciative applause."
February 28, 2018
ClevelandClassical.com
WCLV 104.9 FM – Interview with Sharon Isbin
"...she was in Cleveland and stopped by the idea center to chat with WCLV Classical 104.9 host Angela Mitchell."
February 19, 2018
WCLV 104.9 FM
Sharon Isbin with special guest Colin Davin Concert Review
"Isbin’s playing was, in a word, remarkable..."
November 8, 2017
ClevelandClassical.com
Sharon Isbin Concert Preview
"They're such a robust part of the music that I play, and it's important to be celebrating them now."
November 3, 2017
Cleveland.com
Celil Refik Kaya Concert Review
"Fluent and exotic, Kaya’s playing rounded out a highly satisfying concert."
October 25, 2017
ClevelandClassical.com
Sérgio & Odair Assad Concert Review
"No matter what the style, the Assads’ playing was vital and riveting..."
May 9, 2017
ClevelandClassical.com
Xuefei Yang Concert Review
"...with rhythmic vitality, masterful technique, and deep affection."
April 10, 2017
ClevelandClassical.com
Jorge Caballero Concert Review
"[Jorge Caballero’s] astonishing technique allowed him to produce expert layerings of melody and accompaniment..."
November 22, 2016
ClevelandClassical.com
Manuel Barrueco Concert Review
"...a solo appearance by one of the world’s great guitar gurus."
May 4, 2016
ClevelandClassical.com
Łukasz Kuropaczewski & Maciej Frąckiewicz Concert Review
"...Kuropaczewski and Frąckiewicz play from a single heart and mind."
April 8, 2016
ClevelandClassical.com
Paul O’Dette Concert Review
"O'Dette rose magnificently to the challenge."
February 4, 2016
Cleveland.com
Paul O’Dette Concert Review
"...Paul O’Dette must have stopped time for a second, so captured we were in his spell."
February 3, 2016
ClevelandClassical.com
Grisha Goryachev Concert Review
"It left one asking, ‘How does he do that without blinking?’"
December 1, 2015
ClevelandClassical.com
Ana Vidovic Concert Review
"Ana Vidovic truly enthralled her audience with her musical voice of crystalline clarity and undeniable passion."
November 19, 2015
ClevelandClassical.com
Vladimir Gorbach Concert Review
"The combination of a great musician and wonderful music..."
April 30, 2015
ClevelandClassical.com
LAGQ Concert Review
"...touched nearly every possible corner of the repertoire with the group’s forty magic fingers."
March 24, 2015
ClevelandClassical.com
LAGQ Concert Review
"Throughout the evening, the collective artistry of the players was at its peak."
March 23, 2015
Plain Dealer
Lukasz Kuropaczewski Concert Review
"...an astonishingly beautiful recital."
November 14, 2014
ClevelandClassical.com
David Russell Concert Review
"The entire crowd was quickly on its feet at its conclusion."
April 3, 2014
ClevelandClassical.com
Live from KeyBank Studio: Beijing Guitar Duo
"...these two extraordinary young women comprise one of the world’s greatest guitar duos..."
February 1, 2014
Bill O'Connell, WCLV
Beijing Guitar Duo Concert Review
"The audience came to its feet..."
January 28, 2014
ClevelandClassical.com
Manuel Barrueco & Cuarteto Casals Concert Review
"...with help from the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, the night positively glowed..."
November 3, 2013
The Plain Dealer
Nigel North, Carrie Henneman Shaw, and Les Delices Concert Review
"...testament to the freshness of repertoire, insight and joie de vivre..."
February 19, 2013
The Plain Dealer
Nigel North, Carrie Henneman Shaw, and Les Delices Concert Review
"…the music and its performance in the moment come alive"
February 19, 2013
ClevelandClassical.com
Edel Munoz Concert Review
"His interpretations are fresh, engaging and beautiful. His precision is flawless... Muñoz is a guitarist who will likely establish himself as one of the best in the world."
November 20, 2012
ClevelandClassical.com
Showcase Concert Review
"What could have easily been more of the same was anything but."
September 25, 2012
ClevelandClassical.com
Composer/Guitar Collaborative at West Park UCC
"This concert is a win-win for both organizations."
February 12, 2012
ClevelandClassical.com
Matt Palmer Concert Review
"…indeed rather extraordinary."
December 6, 2011
ClevelandClassical.com
Around Noon: Matt Palmer
"[Guitar International Magazine] Up and Coming Guitarist of the Year"
December 2, 2011
Ideastream, NPR