David Russell is world-renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. He was named Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997. Composers Guido Santorsola, Jorge Morel, Francis Kleynjans and Carlo Domeniconi have all dedicated works to him. Since 1995 David has had an exclusive recording contract with Telarc International, with whom he has recorded eleven CDs, including Aire Latino, which received a 2005 Grammy Award as best instrumental soloist in classical music. This is a remarkable recognition of Russell and of the classical guitar itself; his competition consisted of the soloists like pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy and it was a cliff-hanger, with David traveling to California for the awards banquet without yet knowing the winner.

David Russell is a Scotsman living in 'the land of 1000 rivers', Galicia, on the northwest Spanish coast; if that seems strange, he was raised in Majorca and, after all, Galicia is full of bagpipes as it has a deep Celtic history. He tours the world, appearing regularly in presitigious halls in New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto and Rome. Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of his musical genius and his captivating stage presence. His attenion to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of the intention of each individual composer he encounters. His playing is full of expression and also a sense of adventure.

A well-known artist amongst the Seattle community, Michael Partington has firmly established himself as an international performer of high caliber. Recent solo performances include the Old Malthouse, St. James Picadilly and Blackheath Halls in London, as well as concerts in Derby, Bridgeport, Cranleigh, Bournemouth, San Francisco, Phoenix, Reno, Portland, Vancouver BC and many Seattle-area venues. His live radio appearances include BBC Radio Three, NPR's St. Paul Sunday, KING FM's Live by George and KUOW's The Beat in Seattle. He has soloed with Orchestra Seattle, the Ranier Symphony, Chelan Bach Fest, Shenandoah Bach Festival, Portland State University Orchestra, Seattle Choral Company and Seattle Chamber Players. Upcoming concert appearances are with the Llantillio Crossenny Festival in Wales, the Everett Symphony, Lake Chelan Bach Fest and Orchestra Seattle.

Michael is often seen in concert with other instrumentalists and in surprising musical contexts (e.g., a Christmas concert Fiesta de Navidad with Seattle Choral Company). In his quest to expand the guitar repertoire Michael has commissioned new works from a number of composers. In this program he will premiere a new work written for him by English composer Stephen Goss. The program will also include music from his forthcoming CD, a collection of Astor Piazolla, Toru Takemitsu, Bryan Johanson, Kevin Callahan and others. Visit Michael's website.

Michael Nicollela (Saturday March 18, 2006)

"Astounding musicianship...Nicolella is a virtuosic wonder." San Francisco Examiner
With a repertoire spanning from J.S. Bach to Jimi Hendrix, Michael Nicolella is recognized as one of America’s most innovative classical guitar virtuosos. A uniquely eclectic and versatile artist, Michael blurs the lines between musical styles and disciplines and is part of a growing trend in classical music to revitalize the role of the composer/performer. He has received international critical acclaim for his performances, compositions and recordings. His March program will include some of his own pieces, as well as works by Bach, Albeniz, Rodrigo, and Piazzolla.His new CD Shard was released in May 2005. The recording features new music for guitar including his own Guitar Concerto performed with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Anthony Spain. Shard is a stylistic follow up to his CD Push, which was described by John Duarte in Gramophone as "“a display of stunning technical skill and unfailing musicality over a very broad spectrum."

"The Seattle Classic Guitar Society's series of recitals at Benaroya Hall is one of the great, relatively undiscovered delights of Seattle's classical-music season. The performers are top-notch, and the venue, Benaroya's Nordstrom Recital Hall, has acoustics that are matched perfectly to the intimate demands of the guitar." The Seattle Times, November 2000