James Stroud

Classical Guitar Competition

2025

presented by the

Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®

and hosted by the

Cleveland Institute of Music

James Stroud (USA) James Stroud is the Founder and Director of the James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition. He is graduate is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia where he studied Classical guitar with Joanne Castellani. He received his Masters degree in classical guitar performance from the University of Akron where he was a graduate assistant of Stephen Aron. During this time he performed in master classes with Manuel Barreuco, Oscar Ghiglia, and David Russell.

For fifteen years Jim sponsored and served as a judge for the Stroud All Ohio Classical Guitar Competition held at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He has also been a judge for Grammy award winning guitarist Lee Ritenour's Six String Theory Competition in its Classical Guitar Division.

In addition, Jim is a collector of fine hand-made classical guitars by luthiers from around the world. His collection includes guitars made in the U.S.A., Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Australia.

Contact: stroudcompetition@gmail.com