Matthew McAllister, the superb young Scottish guitarist and teacher, who has performed extensively in Europe, North and South America, as well as Asia, has expanded his pedagogy to include the internet, opening up his teaching to students all over the world. Beginning this past spring, McAllister—who has numerous solo CDs and discs made with other players under his belt—has signed on as a teacher on the internet learning space eStaccato, which hosts dozens of top-level musicians teaching nearly every instrument imaginable (OK, maybe no didgeridoo).
McAllister has excellent teaching credentials. Since earning his guitar degree from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he has led numerous master classes and held the posts of Classical Guitar Tutor and Lecturer at the University of St. Andrews and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (in Glasgow). He also established the increasingly popular Classical Guitar Retreat on the Island of Cumbrae off Scotland’s rugged and spectacular west coast.
In the news release about his involvement with eStaccato, McAllister wrote: “Available for everyone, everywhere. No need to download anything, eStaccato will work anywhere with an internet connection. All you need is a computer with a microphone, webcam, and Google Chrome browser. Simply visit the website, register for a free account and then search for me under the list of teachers, where I am listed as a Band A teacher, reserved for the highest level of tutor on the platform. Maybe you want to play through some audition or exam pieces, get feedback on specific repertoire, such as Celtic music, help with technique and interpretation, one-off lessons or regular, we can do whatever you choose. I have already given lessons to guitarists as far away as Canada and the USA, so get in touch if you want try out learning online.”
Advertisement
And if you’re interested in learning more about the next Classical Guitar Retreat (July 5–17, 2017), featuring McAllister, Raphaella Smits, Lukasz Kuropaczewski, Dale Kavanagh, Thomas Kirchoff, Allan Neave, and others, click here for complete info.
A couple of months ago, in our online item about the death of British composer Peter Maxwell Davies, we posted a link to McAllister’s gorgeous performance of Davies’ “Farewell to Stromness.” This time out, we invite you to enjoy Matthew McAllister playing the beautifully austere Agustín Barrios masterwork “La Catedral.”