Branden Cravalho

Branden Cravalho is an expressive and passionate classical guitarist and instructor. Utilizing a wide variety of repertoire from renaissance to modern composers, Branden engages audiences with his diverse and charismatic programs. Branden has been playing the guitar for the past 11 Years and has achieved three degrees in music. He started out as a self-taught electric guitar player performing in many local bands in the Central Valley, California. He played an array of different genres but primarily rock, alternative, acoustic, and, early on, metal. Branden started studying classical music when he enrolled at the Modesto Junior College (MJC) in California during the spring of 2011. He studied primarily under Dr. David Chapman's tutelage, but also had guidance and lessons from Guy Powell and Travis Silvers who were also faculty of MJC. "When I first started studying at MJC the classical guitar was foreign to me, but I quickly fell in love with its repertoire and timbre.” 

    In the fall of 2014 Branden transferred into the guitar performance program at the McNally Smith College of Music in Saint Paul, MN to study with Dr. Eva Beneke. The unique and collaborative environment at McNally Smith stimulated Branden’s progress as chamber musician and soloist. In the spring of 2016 Branden completed his Bachelor of Music degree graduating with honors and that fall began his graduate studies at the University of Minnesota under Maja Radovanlija’s tutelage where he was awarded a fellowship and assistantship. During his studies at the UMN the US Embassy invited Branden amongst a small group of American guitarists to be an active participant and competitor at the Belgrade Guitar Art Festival in Serbia. Branden completed his Master of Music degree in the spring of 2018. 

    Throughout his professional and educational career Branden has performed in many ensembles both large and small. These include the Central Valley Guitar Orchestra, the McNally Smith Guitar Ensemble, the University of Minnesota’s Guitar Ensemble, and with many of his colleagues as an accompanist. Branden has performed in many settings with orchestras, vocalists, guitarists, and even saxophone. “Performing with other people is a huge part of what I love to do. Performing classical music, particularly in a duo setting, can be an incredibly engaging, exciting, and intimate experience. When it works, and you entrain with the other musician, beautiful things can happen.” Most recently Branden worked with Soprano Nai-Chia Chen performing Villa-Lobos and John Dowland.

    As a soloist, Branden has performed in a plethora of low and high stress situations. He has competed both nationally and internationally including the Schubert Club’s Bruce P Carlson Scholarship Competition and at the Guitar Art festival in Belgrade, Serbia. He has performed in masterclasses with elite classical guitarists such as Scott Tennant, Martha Masters, Rene Izquirdo, and Manuel Espinás. Branden is also an active performer in his community performing for local benefits, ribbon cuttings, celebrations, festivals, and alumni concerts. 

    In addition to performing, Branden takes pride as an instructor teaching private lessons and in classrooms. Most recently Branden taught grades 6-12 for New Jerusalem Elementary School District in Tracy, Ca. While teaching at New J, Branden had led his students to enriching their education through general music classes, guitar, and modern/rock band ensembles. He has also taught as a graduate instructor at the University of Minnesota teaching Guitar I and II classes as well as private lessons, in privately owned music studios, as well as independently. Branden’s students have had success meeting both their individual goals and expectations of specific curriculum. Currently Branden teaches community classes at the Grand Theatre in Tracy, CA. “Ultimately, I strive to inspire others through music like the many influential figures in my own musical journey have inspired me. Whether that be through performance or instruction, there is no greater gift than to be able to share music, experiences, and knowledge with others.”

For more info about me, videos, ect check out my website: https://www.brandenleecravalho.com