Marcin Dylla – Classical Guitar
Polish classical guitarist, Marcin Dylla, has been hailed by The Washington Post as “among the most gifted guitarists on the planet”.

Dylla has earned numerous awards, including 19 first prizes at the most prestigious international music competitions around the world. His last triumph was the Gold Medal of the ‘2007 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition’ in Los Angeles known as the most prestigious guitar contest in the world, followed by tour of over 50 cities in North America, Mexico, and Canada during 2008-09 season. Additionally, his live recital DVD “Wawel Royal Castle at Dusk” was nominated for 2010 Fryderyk Award (equal to American Grammy) in the category of Solo Classical Music Album of the Year.

Rick Ruskin – Contemporary Fingerstyle
Rick Ruskin started playing guitar in 1962 and in just one year became a respected professional musician in his native Detroit, Michigan. In 1964, while still in Jr. High School, he was chosen to open the bill for the blues and gospel master, Reverend Gary Davis at Detroit’s legendary Retort Coffee House. This engagement resulted in a fast and permanent friendship with the master blues, ragtime, and gospel guitarist.

Rev. Davis was so taken by the young Ruskin’s skill and eagerness, that he invited Rick to spend that summer with him at his Long Island home. By the end of the summer, Davis stopped teaching Rick new material and told him, “It’s time you started paying attention to your own music.” Ruskin has been doing that ever since.

Opening performances by PCM students Isabelle Saad and Evelyn Nguyen.