Steven Kennedy

Steven Kennedy is an active guitar instructor and performer in central Iowa. He maintains a large studio of students in the Des Moines area, and is in high demand for both formal concerts and other music performances. He serves as guitar instructor at Central College in Pella, and at Simpson College in Indianola. His debut album, Pequeño vals para Florencia (featuring works by Bach, Sor, Máximo Diego Pujol, and José Luis Merlin) was released in 2013. Steven is also an avid chamber musician, performing in various duos, and is a member of the Iowa Guitar Quartet.

Steven received his Master of Music degree from Belmont University (Nashville, TN) and his Bachelor of Music degree from Simpson College; both in classical guitar performance. He has performed in master classes for notable guitarists Jason Vieaux, Jerome Ducharme, and Petar Jankovic, and additionally has observed classes given by Eliot Fisk, Christopher Parkening, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Douglas Niedt, Jorge Caballero, Aniello Desiderio, Denis Azabagić, and Matt Palmer, among others. In addition to his experience in classical music, Steven is proficient in many commercial music genres including jazz, blues, and rock.

Steven currently serves as the president of the Heart of Iowa Classical Guitar Society - an organization that actively promotes classical guitar music and education across the state of Iowa.

For performances, I bring an amplifier, extension cords (approximately 30 ft.), my own chair, music stand, and of course my guitar. I request there be an electrical outlet near where I will be playing, as well as an area of approximately 15-20 sq. ft. for me to be set up in. I can plug into a sound system if the event happens to have one. I ask that I be set up in a shaded area for outdoor events. The variances in temperatures playing outdoors (sunlight to overcast, wind to no wind) can greatly affect the guitar's tuning. If it not possible for me to be set up in a shaded area, I am still willing to play for the event. Also, I request there be a flat, solid surface for me to be set up on for outdoor performances. I can bring a piece of plywood if need be, but I ask the client try to provide this first.