Jay Hildebrand

Jay Hildebrand serves as an Affiliate Artist in Guitar at the University of Puget Sound in Washington State, where he teaches classical guitar while maintaining a private studio in Gig Harbor for students of all proficiency levels. Holding a DMA in classical guitar from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's distinguished guitar program, he combines academic rigor with practical performance expertise.

His educational background includes:

• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Classical Guitar, University of Minnesota
• Master of Music in Classical Guitar Performance, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Prof. Hildebrand's professional focus centers on classical guitar performance techniques and pedagogical methodologies, emphasizing expressive interpretation and technical mastery. His teaching philosophy integrates historical performance practices with contemporary educational approaches to develop versatile musicians capable of nuanced artistic expression across diverse repertoire.

His competitive achievements demonstrate exceptional artistry:

• First Prize at Northwest Guitar Festival and Competition (2014)
• Finalist at Indiana International Guitar Competition
• Finalist at Wilson Center International Guitar Competition

Mentored by renowned guitarists including René Izquierdo, Michael Partington, Dr. Maja Radovanlija, and Dr. Paul Grove, he provides comprehensive guidance to students through both university instruction and private lessons, addressing technical development, repertoire selection, and performance psychology to cultivate well-rounded musicians.