Christoph Harlan (USA)
German born guitarist Christoph Harlan is the founder of the undergraduate and graduate degree programs for Classical Guitar at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He also commenced and headed the guitar program at Kent State University.
Born into a family of musicians and artists, Harlan began his music education playing the recorder and singing in several choirs. Many years of cello studies and orchestra activities broadened his musical horizons. He began studying the guitar in his early teens and ultimately received his teaching and performance degrees with honors from the Akademie für Musik in Vienna Austria, where he studied with Luise Walker.
Though no longer active as performance artist, Harlan appeared extensively in recitals, chamber music concerts and as soloist with orchestras. He gave numerous lecture recitals and presentations at festivals throughout the US. His concert tours in Germany were received to critical acclaim. His professional activities included several recordings with members of the Cleveland Orchestra as well as publications of his transcriptions of solo and chamber music by Ludwig Music Publishing and Mainsail Productions.
Harlan takes a keen interest in the new generation of classical guitarists who are now reaching erstwhile unimagined playing standards made possible by the previous generation of superb guitar teachers and performers. He applauds the generous sponsor, James Stroud and the wonderful presenter, Armin Kelly at Guitars International for giving these young talents an opportunity to step into the spotlight.