Join David for an exciting conversation with Ben Verdery! In this installment of the two-part episode, Ben spoke of his 20th year teaching at his Maui Masterclass and as Professor of Guitar at The Yale School of Music for 35 years. Last year, Thomas Donahue published the book Benjamin Verdery: A Montage of a Classical Guitarist. Ben spoke about his contribution writing an extensive essay on his thoughts/approaches to performing, composing, arranging, teaching, and recording. Ben was humbled from all the colleagues who wrote reflections of their friendship and inspiration. He felt this book portrays the extraordinary classical guitar scene of New York City. Ben tells the story of how he used to be neighbors with master luthier Thomas Humphrey. One day Humphrey called Ben and said you *have* to come downstairs immediately. He ran over to find the Assad Brothers playing in Humphrey’s studio, right before their New York debut: a life changing moment!

Intro Music: Couperin Les Sylvains (Scott Tennant)

Scenes from Ellis Island (Verdery)

-Ben Verdery/Simon Powis guitars, Guilherme Monegatto cello, Hawa Kasse Mady Diabate vocals

Leonard Bernstein Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Mov. 1, Grazioso

-arranged for Guitar and String Quartet (Verdery)