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Lead Guitar (Classical)

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After-school classical guitar instruction for beginning through advanced students, in grades 5+

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Registration for the 2026-27 school year will open on August 20. Please check back soon!

Program Overview

 

Lead Guitar is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by guitarist-composer-educator Brad Richter. Lead Guitar partners with arts organizations and higher education institutions to provide students with experiential learning opportunities at top-notch facilities. Lead Guitar is proudly offered locally in collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Lead Guitar students learn classical guitar technique, music theory and literacy, performance skills, and ensemble playing in group classes, through which they develop their self-discipline, self-esteem, and ability to work as a team - attributes that help them realize success throughout their lives! The Lead Guitar curriculum emphasizes music reading, allowing students to become independent musicians, capable of taking their guitar skills to any style of playing. 

The program is designed for students in grades 5 and up. Responsible 4th-graders are welcome to apply and will only be accepted on a space-available basis.


Classes (Green Circle, Blue Square, Black Diamond)

Green Circle

Students in their first year of Lead Guitar instruction always participate in the Green Circle class. Instruction starts with Lead Guitar Method Book 1, which focuses on proper set-up, music reading skills, and left/right hand independence. As students build these foundational skills, they progress to songs with increasing rhythmic complexity. Students advance to the Blue Square class level when they can confidently play through Method Book 1 Level One and most pieces in Level Two.

Blue Square

Students in the Blue Square class have at least one year of experience in Lead Guitar class and can demonstrate proficiency on all Method Book 1 Level One pieces and most Level Two pieces. Some students in their second year of Lead Guitar instruction will be ready for the Blue Square class, while some will be better served through a refresher in the Green Circle class. All students will be reassessed during the first week of class to ensure they are placed in the correct class level.

Black Diamond

Students who can confidently play Leyenda (in Level Four of Method Book 1; thumb and fingers) are invited to participate in the select Black Diamond ensemble for older and more advanced students. This small group of guitarists will work with Lead Guitar Director of Instruction Nick Lenio and Lead Guitar teaching artists on classical guitar technique, advanced ensemble playing, solo guitar, and extended technique. Students will play advanced repertoire, with only one or two students to a part. Students will meet in one of two central locations (Basalt or Carbondale). This experience is for motivated students who want to progress in their own playing and are dedicated to practicing consistently outside of class to make sure they can independently play their assigned parts.

 


Schools: 2026-2027 School Year

Lead Guitar will run as an after-school program at four schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley during the 2026-2027 school year. All Roaring Fork Valley students (regardless of what school they attend during the school year) are welcome to participate in an after-school Lead Guitar class at any hosting school. All classes begin after Fall Break, the week of October 12, 2026, and extend through the Lead Guitar Showcase Concert on April 14, 2027.

Basalt Middle School

  • Mondays
    • 3:40-4:25 PM (Green Circle)
    • 4:30-5:15 PM (Blue Square)
  • Wednesdays
    • 2:10-2:55 PM (Green Circle)
    • 3:00-3:45 PM (Blue Square)
  • Classes start October 14
  • Taught by Harris Jackson

Riverview School

  • Mondays
    • 3:40-4:25 PM (Green Circle)
    • 4:30-5:15 PM (Blue Square)
  • Wednesdays
    • 2:10-2:55 PM (Green Circle)
    • 3:00-3:45 PM (Blue Square)
  • Classes start October 14
  • Taught by Tim Caskin

Two Rivers Community School

  • Mondays and Thursdays, 3:45-4:30 PM (Green Circle)
  • Mondays and Thursdays, 4:35-5:20 PM (Blue Square)
  • Classes start October 15
  • Taught by Ashton Taufer

Carbondale Middle School

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:25-4:10 PM (Green Circle)
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:00 PM (Blue Square)
  • Classes start October 13
  • Taught by Tim Caskin

Ross Montessori, Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork, and Carbondale Community middle school students can participate by joining rehearsal after their school day has finished.

Black Diamond Ensembles

  • Basalt Ensemble
    • Wednesdays, starting October 14
    • 3:50-5:05 PM
    • Basalt Middle School Band Room
    • Taught by Harris Jackson
  • Carbondale Ensemble
    • Tuesdays, starting October 13
    • 5:05-6:30 PM
    • Carbondale Middle School Band Room
    • Taught by Mateo Sandate

Note: Based on student enrollment and availability, day/time information could be adjusted. We will communicate with students who register to confirm a time that works for both the teacher and students.


Do you have a scheduling conflict with the Lead Guitar days at your school this fall? We can help...Reach out to us about options!


After-School Program Cost: $265


Cost includes 20 weeks of classes or dedicated rehearsals taught by guitar specialists, performance opportunities, all music materials, and access to Lead Guitar online resources.

Please note: This is a 20-week program and students should commit to the entire series of classes.

Scholarships and Payment Plans

Tuition scholarships are available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Tuition payment plans are also available, if necessary, and can be requested during the acceptance process.

AfterWorks Refund Policy

Once a student has registered for an AfterWorks program (Beginning Strings, Chamber Music Lab, Lead Guitar, or Maroon Bel Canto Choirs), the following policy will apply to tuition refunds if that student chooses to leave the AfterWorks program:

  • Before first class/rehearsal: full tuition refund
  • Between first and third class/rehearsal: half tuition refund
  • After third class/rehearsal: no refund

Late Application Fee

A $50 late processing fee will be added to registration received after October 1, 2026.

Guitars

Students in Lead Guitar classes are required to have their own classical, nylon-string guitar. All students should have a guitar ready for the first day of Lead Guitar class. In order to procure a guitar, students have several options:

  1. Purchase a guitar through the AMFS at a discounted Lead Guitar-student rate. There are three guitar options for purchase:
    1. Yamaha CGS103A 3/4 Size Guitar and soft case: Lead Guitar price = $160.
      Best for younger students (smaller guitar size) - MSRP $380
    2. Yamaha C40 Full Size Guitar and soft case: Lead Guitar price = $180.
      Standard full-size model - MSRP $405
    3. Yamaha CG102 Guitar and soft case: Lead Guitar price = $215.
      Elevated full-size model - MSRP $480
  2. Purchase a classical guitar (with nylon strings) and padded case, locally, from our friends at Glenwood Music.
  3. Rent a guitar from the AMFS: A limited number of guitars are available to rent at the rate of $25 per month, for seven months.
  4. Apply for an instrument scholarship to use an AMFS-owned guitar for the school year: A limited number of scholarship guitars are available to students who are unable to afford the cost of purchasing a guitar or renting an AMFS-owned guitar while enrolled in Lead Guitar.
  5. Bring your own guitar: Students may bring their own guitars, but they MUST be classical guitars (have nylon strings). Not sure if your guitar is classical or acoustic? Watch this video, check the strings (classical guitars have three strings that look like clear plastic (nylon) while acoustic guitars have all metal strings), or take the guitar to Glenwood Music and have them identify it.

 

* We will bring instruments to each Lead Guitar school on the first day of classes for students who elect to purchase a guitar, students who are renting an AMFS-owned guitar, or students who are granted an instrument scholarship to use an AMFS-owned guitar.


Lead Guitar Performances

  • Winter Informances (Informal Performances) | At your Lead Guitar school
    • Details forthcoming by school
  • Wednesday, April 14, 2027 – Lead Guitar Showcase | Harris Concert Hall
    • Lead Guitar classes end after the Lead Guitar Showcase in April

 


To learn more, please contact:
Veronica Lopez, Education and Community Programs Coordinator
Email | 970 205 5059
vlopez@aspenmusic.org

 

The Aspen Music Festival and School is grateful for the support of the following Education and Community donors who made specific gifts to these programs:

Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, First Western Trust, Nancy Swift Furlotti and the Pettit Foundation, Dana and Gene Powell, Michael E. McGoldrick Charitable Foundation, Alpine Bank, JEWISHcolorado, Nancy Meinig – Meinig Family Foundation, the Fisher Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Edith Kallas and Joe Whatley, Melissa Eisenstat and Jonathan Blau, Golub Family Foundation, Western States Arts Federation, El Pomar Foundation, and Hensley and James Peterson.

Special support for Lead Guitar by Nicholas Ferrara.

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