John Marcinizyn

John Marcinizyn is an Artist Lecturer in Guitar and Composition at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music, alongside teaching roles at Seton Hill University and Duquesne University. He holds a Ph.D. in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Pittsburgh. His work spans classical, jazz, flamenco, rock, and blues, with notable compositions including Song for the Sparrows (commissioned by Westmoreland Symphonic Winds in 2004) and the critically acclaimed Sonata for Guitar and Marimba. He performs with the Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo, Acoustic Swing, and The Red Hot Ramblers, blending diverse styles across five centuries of repertoire.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Composition and Theory, University of Pittsburgh

Research Interests:

• Interdisciplinary music-theatre collaborations
• Cross-genre composition (classical/jazz/blues fusion)
• Historical performance practices adapted to modern contexts
• Community engagement through accessible classical programming

Performance Highlights:

• Member of Grammy-nominated Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo
• Featured artist on 8 CDs/DVDs including Dances and Lullabies and Kaleidoscope
• Performed at venues like Smithsonian Institution and Chatauqua Institution
• Recipient of Pittsburgh Concert Society awards

Teaching: Leads Music & Human Experience courses integrating art history and music, and conducts slide guitar workshops.