Graham Banfield, guitar

     Classic guitarist Graham Banfield’s commitment to music from the traditional to the eclectic has left critics praise ranging from “just wonderful – so gentle and beautiful” (Seattle P. I.) to “happily baffled” (New Haven Advocate).  Recent highlights of Graham’s musical endeavors include winning the Grand Prize at the 20th Northwest Guitar Festival, performing new chamber music for guitar at Carnegie Hall, and appearing on the soundtrack of a PBS documentary celebrating the life and work of John Muir. 

     Graham currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut where he is pursuing graduate studies in music at the prestigious Yale School of Music gratis under the tutelage of world-renowned pedagogue and performer Benjamin Verdery.  He received his undergraduate degree with honors from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington where he studied with Steven Novacek, Michael LeFevre, Michael Partington, and Michael Nicolella.  Further, he has performed in masterclass for several of the world’s most celebrated players including David Russell, Paul Galbraith, Jason Vieaux, Xufei Yang, and Denis Azabagic. 

     Graham is also a dedicated teacher.  While in Seattle, he taught at his alma mater as well as at The Rosewood Guitar, Seattle’s preeminent classical guitar teaching studio.  He currently teaches music lessons to gifted students at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School and Yale College.