Our Team
George England, D.M.A. Owner, Lead Instructor
George England is a highly sought-after guitarist known for his exceptional skills as both a soloist and chamber musician, proficient in playing both modern and historical instruments. His artistry has led to collaborations with prestigious ensembles and institutions across the country.
Beyond his musical pursuits, George is dedicated to supporting efforts that build artistic communities. He played a pivotal role in the creation of a music “Living & Learning Community” for campus residents at CSU Northridge, which remains a successful feature of that university. He twice received commendation from the president of Stony Brook University for his participation in the Graduate Council Lecture Series.
As an educator, George is equally passionate. He is currently a Lecturer in Guitar at the School of Music at California State University, Sacramento, and leads guitar studies at Napa Valley College, where he also lectures in other musical topics. He has served on the faculties of California State University, Northridge, Yuba Community College, Diller-Quaile School of Music in Manhattan, 92nd Street Y, Third Street Music School, NYC Guitar School, and Music Stream Center in Davis. He is the visionary behind the the burgeoning Sacramento Guitar School, where is also a lead instructor.
George holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University, where his culminating studies focused on the analysis and interpretation of French and Italian lute works of the 17th century, as well as 20th-century serial compositions for the guitar. He earned his Master of Music degree from Sacramento State and his Bachelor of Music, cum laude, from CSU Northridge..
Cameron O’Connor, D.M.A.
Guest Teacher
Award-winning and acclaimed as "stunning and emotive" (Eugene Register-Guard) and "accomplished and soulful" (Portland Magazine) Cameron O’Connor enjoys a diverse career in solo, chamber, and contemporary music. Recent and upcoming highlights include solo and duo recitals throughout Japan; performing as a guest artist at the Loyola Marymount, Corvallis, Siempre la Guitarra, and Northwest Guitar Festivals; chamber music and opera appearances with Eugene Opera and musicians of the Oregon Symphony in their Classical Up Close concert series; as a chamber music soloist at the New World Symphony in Miami (for which the South Florida Classical Review noted that he was “especially effective in the quick and diabolical figures”); appearing as a guest artist and performing duos with Sharon Isbin at the Aspen Music Festival and School; performing with Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony; and appearing under the baton of Chinese composer Tan Dun in his Eastern-tinged Concerto for Six, for which the New York Times noted that “O’Connor fluttered on his guitar strings in a manner reminiscent of a pipa player’s technique.”
O’Connor was a full scholarship recipient at CSU Northridge, where he studied guitar with Ron Borczon and lute with Ron Purcell; the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with Sharon Isbin; and at the USC Thornton School of Music under William Kanengiser. Upon receiving his degree, the Thornton School recognized him as the Outstanding Doctoral Graduate of his class. He is currently on the faculty of Oregon State University, and has previously taught at CSU Bakersfield, Riverside City College, and Bakersfield College, and his compositions and arrangements can be found through LACG Editions (lacg.net).
For more information, visit: cameronoconnor.com
A New York City native, Koh Kazama is a concert guitarist and educator exposing audiences to the endless possibilities of the classical guitar. He started his guitar studies at the age of six, after being inspired by a Japanese rock musician. His diverse repertoire ranges from early music played on period instruments to contemporary music using electronic effects.
Dr. Kazama has performed in renowned venues, festivals, and concert series, including Carnegie Hall, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, Miami International GuitART Festival, Long Island Guitar Festival, Killington Music Festival, Symphony Space, Webster Hall, WNYC New Sounds Live series, Morse Hall (Juilliard), Mid-Hudson Classical Guitar Society, and Yale Guitar Extravaganza.
Dr. Kazama holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stony Brook University, where he was a scholarship student and teaching assistant of the guitar department. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Master of Music, and Artist Diploma at Yale University. He received a full scholarship to attend Yale, and he was the recipient of the Eliot Fisk Prize, which was awarded to an outstanding guitarist whose artistic achievements and dedication have contributed greatly to the department.
Dr. Kazama is currently on the faculty at New World School of the Arts, a partner of Miami Dade College, University of Florida, and Dade County Public Schools in Miami. He has previously taught as a guitar instructor at Yale University and Stony Brook University. He is also a former faculty member and alumnus of Third Street Music School Settlement, the longest-running community music school in the United States.
In his spare time, Dr. Kazama enjoys playing soccer, snowboarding, and eating Japanese food.
For more information, visit: www.kohkazama.com
Koh Kazama, D.M.A.
Guest Teacher