MICHAEL BOYD

Classical guitarist and Mississippi native Michael Boyd received his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi under the tutelage of Giovanni DeChiaro. During his studies at USM, Dr. Boyd garnered numerous top honors and awards at various festivals and competitions. He has attended and performed in master classes with many renowned artists including Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Leo Brouwer, Christopher Parkening, Randy Pile, Marc Regnier, and The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. As a performer and clinician, Michael maintains an active schedule in the region and abroad, including appearances with the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, as well as performances in Argentina and Spain. In addition to his work as a soloist, he also performs with the Mississippi-based Folias Guitar Quartet, and with soprano Dr. Kristen Johnson. In 2006, Dr. Boyd made his New York debut at the prestigious Carnegie Hall with The Mississippi Guitar Quartet under the auspices of Centaur Records. Michael has been featured on National Public Radio affiliate programs, and in addition to his performing and publishing, he has also released several acclaimed solo recordings, including his most recent groundbreaking recording from Centaur Records of previously unrecorded works by major Spanish composer Federico Moreno-Torroba. Dr. Boyd has been a contributing author to articles in the Guitar Foundation of America's Journal 'Soundboard', Mel Bay's 'Teaching Guitar', and has edited and compiled transcriptions for guitar available through Mel Bay Publications. He is also a member of the Mississippi Humanities Council Speakers Bureau, the Mississippi Arts Commission, and Southern Artistry. Presently Michael serves as Professor of Music at Jones County Junior College and as Director of Music at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.