Rodrigo Lara Alonso

Rodrigo Lara Alonso directs the Musical Pathway Fellowship at the Cleveland Institute of Music and serves as guitar faculty for the Academy and Joint Music Program, while also contributing as a Teaching Artist and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee member for Apollo’s Fire.

Education:

• National Autonomous University of Mexico: degrees in music and Latin American studies
• Federal University of Rio de Janeiro: postgraduate degrees
• Indiana University Bloomington: postgraduate degrees
• University of Southern Mississippi: Ph.D. candidate in music education

His expertise integrates Music Education, Guitar Performance, and Latin American & Caribbean Studies, emphasizing cultural diversity in pedagogy through performance practice and scholarly research.

Awards:

• 16 first prizes in international ensemble competitions
• Guitar Foundation of America’s Ensemble Competition

Lara Alonso mentors students through fellowship programs and guitar instruction, advancing educational initiatives while leading the Sicarú ensemble in collaborative performance innovation.