I just got back from Pittsurgh where I attended a beautiful memorial service for my dear guitar teacher and friend Aaron Shearer who passed on in April. Aaron touched so many lives with his love of music and the guitar. He was strict yet kind. A list of his students looks like the who's who of the Classic Guitar World. I owe special thanks to Tom Kikta Director of Classic Guitar Studies at Duquesne for inviting me and for hosting this wonderful event.
The thing I loved most about Aaron was his love and undying devotion to his lovely wife Lorraine. Their love for each other could light up a room. She spoke at the Mass, at the Dinner, and at the Concert given by some of his students and always said the right thing coming from a place of love deep within her heart.
Last night, I was blessed to meet some of Aaron's other students and two of his wonderful sons. Among the former students was Michael Lawrence. Michael is a wonder videographer who did did a documentary on Aaron's life and love for the guitar. You can see parts of it and purchase it at www.mlfilms.com. It's worth having. He also did a fabulous documentary on Aaron's most famous student - Manuel Barrueco - which I highly suggest as well.
Michael's current project is about Bach and included interviews and/or performances by notable performers such as Richard Stolzman, Hillary Hahn, Joshua Bell, The Swingle Singers, Bobby McFarren, The Emerson String Quartet, Christoph Wolf, and more. Check it out. It's in post production and looks fabulous. Visit www.mlfilms.com
As I drove home, I could not help but wonder how my life and career path would have been significantly different had I gone to Peabody Conservatory to study with him when I was in College. However, I was blessed to meet him and study with him when I was in graduate school and I will be forever thankful for his guidance and friendship. He and Lorraine are two of the dearest people I know. It is an honor to be a friend to each of them.
To learn more about what I'm doing now that I am no longer in music full time, visit www.lakelandwealth.com.
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