Andrew Stroud began studying the classical guitar with his father while living in Corsham, England.  By the time he left the U.K. for the United States at the age of 10, Stroud had already given his first public recitals (in Corsham and Swindon) and had passed his Royal Conservatory exams with honors.

His teachers have included composer Thomas Coffey, renowned performer Stephen Robinson, French virtuoso Judicael Perroy, and Bruce Holzman.  He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University. He completed both Master of Music degree and Doctor of Music degrees at Florida State University.  At FSU, Stroud was awarded three consecutive graduate teaching assistantships. He has performed in the master classes of Oscar Ghiglia, the Assad Duo, Paul Galbraith, Roland Dyens, Eduardo Fernandez, Paco Pena, Lorenzo Micheli, Matteo Mela, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and many other world renowned musicians.

Andrew has won accolades at many international competitions including the Columbus State Guitar Symposium, Guitare Lachine Competition (Montreal), Rosario Competition (Columbia, SC), Schadt String Competition (Allentown, PA), the Dr. Luis Sigall Competition (Vina del Mar, Chile), Guitar Foundation of America Competition, and the Christopher Parkening Competition (Malibu, CA).

As a soloist, Andrew has enjoyed performing in a wide array of venues. Among them are the Festival Mediterreano della Chitarra in Italy, featured solo performances in West Palm Beach’s Gala Concert and a performance at the Veteran World Fencing Championships Gala. As a Chamber Musician, he has performed in diverse roles ranging from orchestral music to opera.  He has been featured on local and national broadcasts on television and NPR.  In 2009, Andrew made his South American debut, giving master classes and concerts in Chile. 

In 2007, Andrew and fellow guitarist Adam Larison formed Duo 220. The duo has performed in venues across the U.S. and U.K.  They have been coached by Bruce Holzman and Sergio Assad, Grammy award winning composer and member of the iconic Assad duo. Duo 220 is committed to creating innovative programs, performing works ranging from Baroque to contemporary, highlighting music that falls outside of the mainstream repertoire.

Among his other endeavors have been lectures, master classes and teaching.  Stroud has been a faculty member of Stetson University’s Community School for the Arts, Tallahassee Community College, Chipola College, Thomas University, and Gulf Coast State College.  He has published and recorded for the Hands on Teaching method, and has authored articles published in Soundboard magazine. He currently serves on the faculty of Wallace Community College as director of instrumental studies. He also co-directs the Seven Hills Guitar Series.  Lambert Academic Publishing recently published his book, J.K. Mertz and Style Hongrois.

10/10/11

Seven Hills Concerts is the website home to the Seven Hills Guitar Series organization.   Guitarist Dr. Jon Yerby founded the organization in August 2011 as a performance outlet for local classical guitarists - primarily students at  Florida State University which has been home to one of the most competitive and sought after classical guitar programs in the US since world-renowned pedagogue Bruce Holzman became the Professor of Classical Guitar there in 1972. With around 45 talented students in the program there is a great potential for excellent guitar concerts in Tallahassee.  Yerby now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah where he is professor of guitar at Utah Valley University, but worry not, the Seven Hills Guitar Series lives on. 
SHGS will continue to promote local talents while bringing in headlining artists from around the country, so  stay tuned for an incredible Spring Season lineup!