Noted guitarist performs at Max Noah

Georgia College got the opportunity to witness Dustin Woodruff, a talented guitarist at Max Noah Recital Hall Wednesday.A self-taught musician, Woodruff began playing the guitar at age 14. He later went on to receive his B.A. in music from Abilene Christian University and his M.A. in music from the University of Georgia. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in musical arts, also from UGA.Woodruff fills many roles as a musician and educator. Aside from his position as head of the guitar department at Augusta State University, he teaches private lessons in Athens is an adjunct instructor at GC, and a member of the Athens Guitar Trio. It is with the Athens trio that he hopes to make his dream of a career in performance a reality. The group has already released a CD entitled “Emergence.” Some of Woodruff’s personal arrangements are featured on the CD.As a solo performer, Woodruff has had an impressive number of achievements. He has been a guest performer for numerous ensembles including the Voices of North Georgia and the Augusta Opera.

In 2004, he was awarded first place in the Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) competition for the graduate guitar division and he has taught master-classes across the United States.

Though he has dabbled in all types of guitar, from bluegrass to rock, classical guitar is where his true love and passion lies. According to Woodruff, this passion is the most important thing for any aspiring musician to have.

 “You really need to have a passion and a love for what you’re doing,” Woodruff said of performing.

Woodruff attempts to pass his love for the classical guitar on to his students by setting an example through his recitals and instruction.

“It’s important for my students to see what I do,” Woodruff said. “I am a performer first and a teacher second.”

  Brandon Marsolo, who studies classical guitar with Woodruff, has witnessed his passion and skill first hand.

 “As a teacher, he’s great. I’ve only been with him a few weeks, but I feel like I’m better every time I walk out the door,” Marsolo said.

Marsolo’s respect for Woodruff doesn’t stop at his teaching ability.

“As a musician, I was really impressed by his recital, he’s obviously really technically skilled but he also communicates the music he plays with emotion and purpose,” Marsolo said.David Brown, a freshman undeclared major, felt that the concert had an amazing effect on him.

“It was the first classical guitar performance I’ve seen. The performance really changed my opinion of classical music.”

Woodruff has no plans to stop performing as a solo artist or with the Athens Guitar Trio. They are already making a name for themselves in Georgia, but Woodruff hopes that it will someday take him worldwide. Currently they have management agencies at home in the United States and abroad in Europe.

“I hope to get to see the world,” Woodruff said.

Posted by TristanHarrison on Sep 15 2011. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.