Rich Barry

Rich started playing the guitar at the age of four, and by nine gave his first public performance. By the age of twelve he had already studied with twelve university level instructors, won several competitions and began studying with Pablo Cohen, the professor of guitar at Ithaca College and Cornell University. At 18 he entered the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore where he received the prestigious Rose and Leon J. Neiburg Scholarship and during graduate school was given a full scholarship teaching assistantship.

At the age of 23 Rich had completed two bachelor degrees, two graduate degrees, and the performer's certificate, from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. While at Peabody, Rich studied with the esteemed pedagogue and performer Julian Gray, the current chair of Peabody's guitar department. Also by graduation Rich had performed in several master classes with artists such as Manuel Barrueco, Pepe Romero, Scott Tennant, Eduardo Fernandez, Bruce Holzman, Sergio and Odair Assad, Eliot Fisk, Paul O'dette and Nigel North.

Rich is also an advocate of musical education. He has taught at many schools, camps, and festivals including the Levine School of Music, The International School of Music, The Baltimore School of the Arts, Camp Allegro of the Peabody Preparatory, and the Chedek Conservatory of music. He has also taught undergraduate classes for the music education department of Johns Hopkins and served as an adjunct instructor in guitar at Essex and Catonsville Colleges.

Rich has given solo recitals in Quebec City, Vancouver, Caracas, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. An avid chamber music collaborator, he has performed with musicians from the Curtis Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, Richmond Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, the New York Philharmonic and internationally recognized pianists. Rich is collaborating with pianist Zade Dirani on the "One Night in Jordan: A Concert for Peace" tour throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Some notable halls where Rich will perform in 2010 include: Atlanta Symphony Hall, Herr Arts Center, The Easton Academy of Art Musuem, Royce Hall, The Parker Playhouse, Capital Center for the Arts, and The Bushnell Theatre.