Grammy nominated guitarist, and friend of WCCMA, José Lezcano performs during this benefit concert for the Claremont Creative Center, featuring works by Lezcano. Guest Melissa Richmond joins him. The program will explore great classical and comtemporary works, including works by Lezcano himself. All proceeds go to benefit the Claremotn Creative Center Homecoming Campaign.
Tickets for this event include special refreshments. Recommended donation: $25 per person, $40 per couple, and $45 per family.
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“Jose Lezcano … is a superb guitarist as well as a first-rate composer and arranger.” – New Millennium Guitar

As Professor Emeritus of Music at Keene State College, Dr. José Lezcano coordinates the guitar program, and teaches applied guitar, guitar orchestra, and courses in Latin American music. He recently retired from his full-time tenured position of Professor of Music after 30 years in the department, but continues to teach classes as a Lecturer. During Spring ’22, he served as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Liberal Arts at the University of Morris, Minnesota. In Fall 2022, he starts a new assignment as Artist Lecturer in Guitar at the University of Southern Maine (Gorham) while continuing to teach at Keene State.

His guitar students have been frequent winners of the Keene State’s highest awards and scholarships. He has been a frequent guest artist at numerous chamber music series in New England, including Apple Hill, Electric Earth, Wisteria, Portland Chamber Music Festival, and Athaneum concerts in Portsmouth, NH. As a twice Grammy-nominated guitarist / composer (in two categories: “Best Contemporary Composition” and “Best soloist with orchestra) Dr. José Lezcano has captivated audiences on four continents. In programs of Spanish, South American and original works, he has appeared in major venues and festivals, including Carnegie Recital Hall, the NYC North-South Consonance Series, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Spain, Portugal, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, China, Germany, Crete, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic as recitalist, collaborative artist, and concerto soloist. Described by Fanfare Magazine as “an excellent guitarist as well as an imaginative composer,” Jose has earned numerous professional recognitions, including first prize in the MTNA National Guitar Competition, the NHSAC Individual Artist Fellowship, NHMTA Composer of the Year (twice), KSC Distinguished Research Award, and a Fulbright Award to Ecuador. In 2016 he received an Ewing Arts Award from the Keene Sentinel, in recognition of his international performing and teaching career, and contributions to the arts in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. Dr. Lezcano earned degrees from Peabody Conservatory (BM), University of South Carolina (MM), and Florida State University (Ph.D., Music Theory).