“A brilliant and exciting guitarist with an elegant and sophisticated style..." El Siglo, Santo DomingoMichael Cedric Smith appears frequently as a recitalist and in chamber music concerts in New York and across the country. In addition to his previous solo recitals at Blair School of Music, he performed for the prestigious Guitars International Artist’s Series in Cleveland; the Middle Tennessee State University Guitar Festival and the Springfield Guitar Society in Illinois. He has appeared twice at the National Festival of the Guitar in the Dominican Republic. In New York City he has performed contemporary American chamber music as a guest artist with the St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, and the New York University Chamber Players. He has appeared in solo recitals on the "La Folia Series" at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital hall. His longtime interest in 19th century guitar music led him to present a recital focusing on Frédéric Chopin and guitar music for the "Music in Chelsea" series in New York. His CD “Celebrations” has received critical acclaim. Mr. Smith is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD where he studied with Aaron Shearer.Michael Cedric Smith currently teaches at the Caedmon Music School, where he was also the director, and New York City College of Technology, CUNY. Mr. Smith has formerly taught at the Saint Louis Conservatory, where he founded the guitar program; Brooklyn College; the National Summer Guitar Workshop; and the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. His students have been accepted at institutions of higher learning including the Peabody Conservatory, Yale University, and the Manhattan School of Music. For more information please visit his web site: www.michaelcsmith.com.Specialties: Guitar performance, teaching, master classes