Guitar
John Wiesenthal, Chair (R&C)
Craig Snyder (C)
Instrument/Department: Guitar; Jazz Studies
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 1985
Graduate of the Navy School of Music and Berklee College of Music. Pursued special studies at Central Texas College and SUNY Geneseo. Soloist and performing lecturer on The History of Music Through the Guitar. Author of Almost Everything About Guitar Chords, Position Primer for Guitar Students, and Incentive Pieces for Guitar Students. 1995 and 1998 NYSCA grant recipient. Recipient of the 2010 Faculty Service Award.
Instrument/Department: Guitar
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2003
Guitarist Timothy Shannon has performed throughout the country as a soloist, and in a variety of chamber music settings. His performance of the music of Villa Lobos has been described as “magical” and “inspired” (Jonathan Dunsby, Eastman School Of Music) He has collaborated with artists such as internationally acclaimed soprano Aprile Millo, guitarist Petar Kodzas, and is a founding member of the Rochester Guitar Duo.
Dr. Shannon currently teaches at Roberts Wesleyan College and the Hochstein Music School, both located in Rochester, NY. Since joining the faculty at Roberts Wesleyan, Dr. Shannon has established the RWC Guitar Ensemble and the Guitar Performance Program, where he integrates the study of Guitar Pedagogy and the history and literature of the guitar.
Timothy Shannon completed his doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music under the direction of Nicholas Goluses. In addition to his guitar studies at Eastman Timothy also studied Baroque performance practice with world-renown lutenist Paul O’Dette. During his years as a student Timothy also studied with Joanne Castellani of the Castellani - Andriaccio Duo, as well as taken master classes with Christopher Parkening, Sharon Isbin, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He lives in Rochester, NY with his wife, Donna, and their daughter Kate.
Instrument: Guitar; Bass Guitar; Electric Guitar; Ensembles; Jazz Studies
Joined Hochstein faculty in: 2002
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA.
Favorite place to travel: In our own beautiful Finger Lakes region
Favorite or most influential teachers were: Dr A. John Walker (retired-FLCC).
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: at Finger Lakes College or home practicing
People with whom/Places I’ve performed include: New Hampshire to Florida (show bands), numerous studio sessions, thousands of live shows, NAMM Show (California in 2007 as an endorser).
My pets include: my miniature pinscher dog.
Favorite things to do in Rochester are: perform music, attend the RIJF jazz festival.
People would be surprised to know that I: am a good swimmer.
What I most admire about my students is: their desire to understand the mechanics of music.
My favorite restaurant is: Rising Sun Chinese (Canandaigua).
Find out more on my website: www.craigssnyder.net (and also www.youtube.com/snydercs)
Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Jazz Guitar Studies through SUNY Empire, September 2006; Associate Degree in Music with High Honors from Finger Lakes Community College and a Berklee College of Music Scholarship recipient (1984). Adjunct music faculty member at Finger Lakes Community College where he teaches jazz guitar and bass. Extensive experience as instructor of guitar and bass, as well as a performer and producer.
Instrument/Department: Guitar
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 1988 originally; rejoined in 2009
Master of Science degree in Instructional Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology; Bachelor of Music degree from University of Miami. Subsequent studies at Eastman School of Music. Instructional designer and music teacher in public, parochial schools and maintains a private studio.
Instrument/Department: Guitar, Guitar Ensembles
Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 1980
Additional position(s) at Hochstein: Chair, Guitar Department
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA.
Favorite place to travel: Paris.
Favorite or most influential teachers were: Rodrigo Riera - guitar, Thomas Paul - voice, Lawrence Maves - violin and conducting, Homer Keller - composition.
When I’m not at Hochstein, you can find me: That’s nearly impossible.
People with whom/Places I’ve performed include: Jackson Browne, Buck Dharma, Chautauqua Opera and Pops.
My favorite book is: Das Kapital
Favorite things to do in Rochester are: Movies, playing squash and reading about our corrupt city government.
People would be surprised to know that I: a gallery in Paris exhibited my artwork in April, 2011.
What I most admire about my students is: Intelligence, dedication and personalities.
My favorite restaurant is: Dan Tana’s
Find out more on my website: http://www.yearofguitar.com
Guitarist John Wiesenthal took his first lesson from folk-music legend Pete Seeger at age 12. At 16, he passed what he learned along the way to surfing buddy Jackson Browne. By 20, philosophy student John Wiesenthal and Richard Meltzer, now the laureate of Rock writers, started the band known today as the Blue Oyster Cult.
John studied with the Venezuelan master Rodrigo Riera and the renowned teacher Emilio Pujol, and earned graduate degrees in music composition. John’s first performance on national television was a banjo gig for a celebration of music by black composers. He serenaded for Ronald Reagan at a farewell dinner for the Governor of California.
Hundreds of performances later, he is director of the guitar programs at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance in Rochester, New York, where he works with children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. From John’s guitar flow richly diverse styles: the Spanish Classics, Jail House Rock, music from the courts of France, the rhythms of South America and the “I Love Lucy” medley.
In 1986 John founded the Guitar Society of Rochester and served as president for 10 years. He is inventor of the Bird of Paradise capo and markets the product internationally under his business Digital Revolution, Inc. He has composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles and solo guitar and songs. John’s composition, Homage to Fellini, for eight flutes received 1st prize in the James Madison University International Flute Composition Contest and is published by Southern Music.
In addition to being a musician and inventor, John is an accomplished artist and squash fanatic. He is currently advocating for attendance enforcement in the Rochester City Schools.
Degrees from SUNY Stony Brook and the University of Oregon School of Music. Received Orff Schulwerk Certification from the Eastman School of Music. Developed guitar programs at Hochstein for young children, and is founder and past president of the Guitar Society of Rochester. Has appeared regularly with the Musica Nova ensemble of the Eastman School of Music and on the "Live from Hochstein" series. Received Hochstein's Faculty Service Award in 1999.
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