Ian Hrdlicka

Ian Hrdlicka is an award winning concert guitarist who has performed in the U.S and abroad, and is noted for his expressivity, versatility, and ability to connect with an audience. Hrdlicka continually strives to redefine what guitar concerts look and sound like by performing in unique venues beyond the typical concert hall, and by crafting programs that showcase the diverse range of guitar repertoire.  Equally at home on nylon or steel strings, Hrdlicka began his musical life playing Bluegrass and Jazz guitar, and often draws upon these influences in performances, pairing Bach suites with Irish reels, or Tangos with Jazz standards.

As an instructor, he seeks to develop students as both guitarists and scholars of the guitar, exploring the history and development of the instrument's repertoire across a variety of styles. Hrdlicka's research interests include guitar pedagogy, guitar history/literature, the works of Toru Takemitsu, Folk music, and producing arrangements for the guitar. Hrdlicka’s interdisciplinary experience on the instrument uniquely qualifies him to work with a diverse range of students, helping each one reach their musical goals while refining both their technical and interpretive capabilities.

Hrdlicka holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute where he studied under the tutelage of performer and pedagogue Julian Gray. He also holds a Masters of Music from the University of Georgia, where he studied with Dr. Daniel Bolshoy and Dr. Phil Snyder. He is an active performer in the Mid-Atlantic, and leads the guitar programs on at Loyola University and Gettysburg College.

Hrdlicka performs on a 2020 guitar by Steven Walter and a 2001 Martin D18