"Stirring and Evocative” (Michigan Classical Guitar Society)
A guitarist since the age of six, Brad DeRoche has explored a wide variety of musical styles ranging from rock and jazz fushion to classical genres spanning from Renaissance lute music to modern works by living composers. He is an active concert artist, appearing as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral soloist in North and South America, and has also appeared on public radio and television programs. Several composers have written works for him including a solo composition by Prix de Rome prizewinner Vincent Frohne.
Dr. DeRoche has also published articles in the scholarly journal Soundboard; written program notes for guitarists Manuel Barrueco, Lorenzo Micheli, Xuefei Yang, Ricardo Gallen and others; and has performed, taught, or presented seminars at the Eastman Guitar Festival, the Interlochen Guitar Festival, the Las Vegas Guitar Festival, the Alexandria Guitar Festival, the Western Illinois University Guitar Festival and others.
Brad DeRoche holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Classical Guitar Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. In addition, he earned degrees from Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University. He has participated in many master classes with prominent concert guitarists including David Russell, Raphaëlla Smits, Paul Galbraith, Fabio Zanon and many others.
As an educator, Dr. DeRoche teaches guitar, guitar ensemble, music history, and music theory courses. He is chair of the music department at Delta College and directs the guitar programs at Central Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University. He has also served as the director of classical guitar studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Interlochen Arts Camp.
Dr. DeRoche has enjoyed a wide variety of activities in his professional life. In addition to being a performer and educator, he and his brother owned and operated the successful online retail store “Strings By Mail.” He has managed the US tours for Raphaella Smits, a world-renowned Belgian classical guitarist, and has served as a consultant for D’Addario strings. He currently directs a concert series at Delta College called the “Allegro Series” which has presented some of the worlds finest musicians in it’s 17 year history, and serves as artistic director of the Interlochen Guitar Festival.
Artist's Website: bradderoche.com