STEPHEN ARON
Described by the New York Times as "cultivated and musical", Stephen Aron performs regularly throughout the US and Canada. Referring to a performance at a Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) Festival featuring all-new music, Soundboard magazine claimed it was "the most original of the festival.expert and entertaining." An avid arranger, Aron's concerts often feature original versions of major works by Schumann, Chopin, Rossini, Haydn, Schubert, and others. Mr. Aron's arrangements are published by Mel Bay Publications and Tuscany Editions. In addition to his solo efforts, Aron performs with JoNell Aron, a soprano with whom he has recorded two CDs, one of the original arrangements of vaudeville songs called Shine On Harvest Moon, and one of the original arrangements of sacred songs entitled In My Heart, both on the Pavonia Music label. Of Shine On Harvest Moon, Fanfare magazine said it was "Warmly recommended", while Classical Guitar said, "This CD will have strong appeal." Soundboard called In My Heart "one of the best discs to cross my desk." Mr. Aron has adjudicated in numerous national and international competitions and has given lectures and taught masterclasses at five GFA Conventions, the Boston Conservatory Guitar Festivals, the Stetson International Guitar Festivals, the Portland Guitar Festival, the Great Lakes Festivals, the Weathersfield Chamber Music Festival, The Appalachian Guitar Festival, the Eastman Guitar Festival, the Rantucci Guitar Festivals, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GFA from 1991-93, his writing is often seen in Soundboard Magazine and American String Teacher. In addition to his post as Professor of Music and Chairman of Guitar Studies at the University of Akron (since 1981), Stephen Aron is a Teacher of Guitar and founder of the classical guitar studies program at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (since 1991).