About

Bio:

At the tender age of 16 Russ sold a pig to buy his first guitar. A Texas native transplanted to Colorado, Russ actively performs and teaches in the Denver metro area. Since earning his Master’s Degree, Russ has explored contemporary guitar music in his duo Derelict Hands with Scottish guitarist Calum Borthwick. In July 2016, Derelict Hands recorded their debut album after a tour of Scotland, available here.  In May 2017 Russ will premiered latest project with cellist Katie Burns, named Solazur, including the premiere of a large new work 'Azur' commissioned for the ensemble. As a dynamic instructor Russ actively expands his teaching studio and currently teaches guitarists of all ages and skill levels, ranging from classical to pop music. 

Russ attended the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music where he earned his Master’s degree under the tutelage of internationally acclaimed performers and pedagogues, Ricardo Iznaola and Jonathan Leathwood. His final recital at DU was recognized as one of the university's Outstanding Recitals in May 2015, and shortly after Derelict Hands took top prize in the ensemble division of the Southern Guitar Festival.

In 2010 Russ was accepted on scholarship into the Meadows School of the Arts’ music division at Southern Methodist University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree with Robert Guthrie. In 2011, he took two first prizes at the Brownsville Guitar Festival and Competition with his duo and the Meadows Quartet.

His formal training began at Collin College where he studied under Sabine Madriguera, There he participated in her award-winning One O’Clock Ensemble and earned two first prizes at the Brownsville Guitar Festival and Competition (2007 and 2010). While at Collin College, he was also awarded first prize in the advanced division of Collin College’s Annual Guitar Competition.

Website:
https://www.russcallisonguitar.com/

Music

Solo:
Bach, J.S.
BWV 1001, Violin Sonata no. 1
BWV 1002, Violin Partita no. 1
BWV 1004, Violin Partita no. 2, Chaconne

Tarrega, Francisco
Capriccio Arabe
Recuerdos de la Alhambra

Legnani, Luigi
Caprices

Giuliani, Mauro
Sonata Op. 15

Regondi, Giulio
Etudes

Rodrigo, Joaquin
Fandango, Tres Piezas Espanolas

Villa-Lobos, Heitor
Etudes
Mazurka-Choro
Preludes

Piazzolla, Astor
La Muerta del Angel
Milonga del Angel

Brouwer, Leo
Danza Caracteristica
El Decameron Negro
Etudes 1-20
La Espiral Eterna
Sonata No. 1
Un Dia de Novembre
Variations on a Theme of Django Reinhardt

Guitar & Cello (Solazur)
Bogdanovich, Dusan
Quatre Pieces Intimes
Rainforest Canticles

Gnattali, Radames
Sonata for Cello & Guitar

Piazzolla, Astor
Oblivion

Serrate, Tomas Peire
Azur * (premiere)

Villa-Lobos, Heitor
Bachianas Brasilieras, no. 5

Zenamon, Jaime M.
Reflexões no. 6

Videos

Ensemble profiles

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  Solazur

  • Instrument: Guitar & Cello Duo
  • Location: Denver
  • 1 groupmuse played

  See full profile »

Past groupmuses (5)