Michael Nix & the New American Banjar

August 10, 2021
Hosted by Kevin Collins

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Guest Information

Episode Description

Meet classical guitarist Michael Nix and discover the American Banjar, a re-invention of the classical guitar and the European banjo traditions of the 1800's. How does a classically trained musician go from violin and piano to the classical guitar and then make the leap to inventing a truly American classical tradition? And make a life for himself and his family in the process. Find out what it takes to become a truly unique person, while serving your community. Michael's new CD of new music composed for the American banjar will be released on the Naxos label.

Classical Guitar Around the World

Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel

Classical Guitar Around the World features great music and fascinating interviews with many of the world's leading guitar performers and composers.

Classical Guitar Around the World is an unabashedly enthusiastic and fast-paced romp through the classical repertoire of the world's most popular instrument, ranging from Medieval through present day, as well as exploring guitar-related music of other cultures.

Join Kevin Collins and friends on their travels around the world of the classical guitar, sharing adventures and sounds of the guitar.

Kevin Collins

Known as “The American Segovia,” Classical Guitarist Kevin Collins has traveled the world with his guitar, and shares his love of the guitar and its music. Called “warm and entertaining” by New York Times critic John Canaday, Kevin plays music from many countries and traditions. In Classical Guitar Around the World, you will meet Kevin’s friends and hear tales of their travels with the guitar.

Kevin Collins comes from a musical family. His mother played piano and he started learning the classical guitar at a very early age from his father. By the time he was a teen, Kevin was playing professionally and went on to study classical guitar at the Hartt School in West Hartford, Connecticut, the oldest in the U.S., with the founder of the Guitar Department Richard Provost. After college, he continued his studies at the Aspen Music School with Maestro Oscar Ghiglia and played for the International Design Conference at Aspen. Kevin made his debut in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Austin Symphony, and, in New York, he played at the Rainbow Room, as well as concerts in Europe and South America, and across the U.S.

Kevin is a former guitar faculty member at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He founded the Amherst Red Barn Music School, where literally thousands of people have come to share the joy of music.

Episode Directory

August 2021

  • 8/24/2021: Encore: David Tanenbaum and Double Echol Listen Now
  • 8/17/2021: Rene Izquierdo plays Cuban Listen Now
  • 8/10/2021: Michael Nix & the New American Banjar Listen Now
  • 8/3/2021: Leonard Becker and The Tedesco Band from Munich Listen Now

July 2021

June 2021



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