Spotlight on the MIC Guitar Department
February 6th, 2026
We’re celebrating National Guitar Day with a spotlight on the Music Institute of Chicago Guitar Department! From master classes to concerts and everything in between, it’s been a year of growth, learning, and new opportunities for guitar students.
Guest Artists and Master Classes
The MIC Guitar Department regularly brings in exceptional guitarists to inspire and challenge students. The master classes and workshops have featured artists spanning a variety of styles, offering students hands-on guidance and techniques that elevate their playing. Some recent featured guests from the past year include Peter Fletcher, Vladislav Bláha, and Martin Metzger.
Master Class with Peter Fletcher
Master Class with Vladislav Bláha
Master Class with Martin Metzger
Inaugural Guitar Intensive Camp
This year the MIC Guitar Department rolled out a new summer camp geared for serious guitarists who strive to further develop their technique and understanding of the guitar, gain performance experience, and become a better musician. Participants learned valuable techniques and enjoyed spending a week becoming friends with other like-minded guitarists.
Watch the 2025 Guitar intensive Student Concert:
Student Features
Our Student Spotlight Series highlights the diverse paths of our students and shares them with the broader community.
Recently classical guitar student Evelyn Zhang was featured in our Student Spotlight Series, sharing her journey with us. This year she also performed a full concert on WFMT’s Introductions, a weekly radio program that features talented young musicians from the Chicagoland area.
Read Evelyn Zhang's Student Spotlight
Guitar student Joseph Kim was also recently featured alongside his family members in our Student Spotlight Series sharing the family's journey with each member finding their own way to make music part of their lives.
Faculty on the Global Stage
The Guitar Department’s leadership stays closely connected to the performing world. This past year, department chair Brad Conroy toured Cornwall, United Kingdom, presenting four concerts in historic venues including St. Michael's Church in Helston, Queen's Hotel in Penzance, WI Hall in Connor Downs and, Miners&Mechanics Hall in St. Agnes. This firsthand experience brings real-world performance insights to our students.
Coming Up
Looking ahead, the MIC Guitar Department continues to create opportunities for students to learn, perform, and connect. See what's in store!
Free Concert with Duo Corde Brillanti from the Czech Republic ft. Vladislav Blaha and Tatsiana Drobysh
Sunday March 22
7:30pm
Nichols Concert Hall
Dances Through time from around the world: Featuring the works of Vivaldi, Paganini, Antonin Dvorak, de Falla, Claude Debussy, A. Piazzolla, Jaroslav Jezek, E. Gismonti.
Summer 2026: Guitar Intensive
Led by MIC Guitar Department Chair Brad Conroy, intermediate to advanced guitarists will develop their technique and understanding of the guitar
Learn more and register for Guitar Intensive 2026
Summer 2026: Guitar Camp for Beginners
Led by David Onderdonk, this camp is the perfect way to start learning guitar! Spend a week learning chords, strumming, finger-style preludes, melodies, a few of your favorite rock riffs, and more!
