Classical guitarist Lynn McGrath is being heralded as a phenom. Blending her passion for theatre, Spanish Language and Literature and guitar she has shared the poetry and music of “Platero y yo” with audiences on 4 continents as both guitarist and theatrical narrator, an unprecedented feat. Bringing the writings Nobel laureate Juan Ramón Jiménez to life for audiences across the globe, from children in a Peruvian orphanage to guitar connoisseurs at the Guitar Foundation of America Festival, one critic wrote the following “…wonderful timing, poise, wit, and grace, while getting a full rich sound from her guitar. Anyone who loves either music or poetry would have been charmed, but those who appreciate both, not to mention stage presence and acting skills, were electrified by this tour-de-force of artistic multi-tasking. —Richard M. Long, Editor, Soundboard
In the United States, she has played at such prominent venues as the Troy Savings Hall (Troy, NY), the National Hispanic Cultural Center (Albuquerque), and the Skirball Cultural Center (Los Angeles) in addition to performing in major cities including Austin, Denver, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Tampa, Seattle and Spokane. Abroad she has been featured in festivals in Mexico, Peru, Italy, Montenegro and has presented at University of Veracruz and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She has been a solist with the Orchestra of Northern New York and has performed with the Albuquerque based professional choir Quintessence. After receiving degrees in Spanish Language and Literature as well as Education, she completed a music degree with Douglas Rubio at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam (where she later taught as a full-time instructor for 4 years) and went on to earn a MM and DMA from the University of Southern California, studying with such luminaries as William Kanengiser, Pepe Romero, and James Smith.
Presently an artist in residence in New Mexico, Lynn is performing extensively as a soloist as well as with two ensembles: Presti and The Rio Grande Guitar Quartet. She is a guitar instructor for the University of New Mexico’s Music Prep Program, teaches for Central New Mexico Community College and is the Tour Director for the Guitar Foundation of America. A highly sought after private teacher, her students have received full scholarships to prominent universities, have won national competitions, and have been featured on NPR’s “From the Top”.
