As longtime students at PCM, guitarists Nathan Park (17) and Edge Woodruff (16) have grown into thoughtful, versatile musicians, and are now performing together as a duo under the guidance of Artist-Teacher Scott Tennant. Nathan began studying guitar with Dr. Adam Pettit at age five, while Edge, originally a student of David Margolis, has been studying with Brian Barany since 2021. In the conversation below, the duo shares what makes playing together so rewarding, how their musical journeys have evolved, and the wide-ranging sounds that influence and inspire them.

This interview was conducted on 7/18/24 and has been edited for length and clarity.

What do you like about playing in a guitar duo together? What have been some of your favorite moments or pieces you’ve played?
NP: Playing the classical guitar can feel like a solo, inward-looking activity. Much of the time is spent practicing alone – listening to my own playing and critiquing myself to see where I need to improve. Being a part of the guitar duo has brought a different energy and fun to playing the guitar. My favorite moments are those times in practice when Edge and I improvise or come up with our own arrangements of songs we enjoy, from video game music to hip-hop tracks. I enjoy hearing how our ideas and different interpretations come together. Scott has also introduced our duo to a wide range of guitar ensemble music. One of my favorites is Boliviana, an energetic piece that mixes the flamenco strumming style with catchy melodies.

EW: The thing I like most about playing in a guitar duo is practicing with Nathan. When I practice my part at home, I’m only playing half the song which sounds strange, so it’s really satisfying to hear my part along with Nathan’s part. We’ve played a broad range of songs crossing various styles, but my favorite piece that we’ve played is probably an arrangement of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

What are the differences between playing as a soloist versus in a duo?
NP: As a soloist, I am constrained by the fact that I only have two hands! Our duo can create music with more intricate rhythms and harmonies shared between the two guitars. This has opened up a new catalogue of guitar repertoire for us, including arrangements of contemporary popular music. For example, our duo recently performed Leo Brouwer’s arrangements of Penny Lane and Fool on the Hill by The Beatles. We often practice our respective parts of each piece separately, and I love hearing the full compositions with all their complexities come together during our duo rehearsals.

EW: As a soloist, you are in charge of the song, and control the dynamics, tempo, and tone of the piece. However, a duo piece is harder in this aspect because you are not in control; it’s a team effort. To play the song effectively, you have to listen to your partner, and adjust yourself accordingly.

Aside from the guitar duo, what other music events or programs have you participated in/what do you plan on participating in?
NP: I have been a PCM student almost my entire life, starting from the Young Musicians program as a toddler, to music theory and private classical guitar lessons. Through PCM, I also have had the opportunity to play in guitar ensembles, as well as masterclasses with world-renowned artists such as Pepe Romero and Adam Del Monte. This opened the door for me to participate in additional guitar masterclasses and summer programs like Guitarlab. In terms of future plans, I plan to continue studying music in college, exploring both classical guitar studies and digital music production.

EW: I play in a rock band with my friends, am a member of my high school’s jazz band, have played jazz guitar for HOLA’s big band, and have attended Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Can you describe a past music experience you are proud of?
NP: I am particularly proud of my participation in classical guitar competitions. For a long time, I purposely avoided them; I was too nervous and intimidated by the whole idea of competing in music. However, I began to play in competitions to practice setting specific, long-term goals for my guitar studies and to motivate myself to dig into a piece long after the “new piece” luster wears off. This past spring, I was able to place first in the Long Island Guitar Festival Competition, and I am proud of the work and effort I put into achieving that. Participating in guitar festivals and competitions has also introduced me to some amazing guitarists and young musicians.

EW: I once sat in as a guitarist for the Wiseguys, a big band based in Montebello. After a couple of practices with them, we played a full set for a wedding.

What music do you like to listen to for fun?
NP: I enjoy many different genres of music, and I try to diversify my music palette. My favorite genre is probably Hip-Hop/rap, with some of my top artists including Westside Gunn and MF DOOM. I also enjoy R&B, electronic, KPOP, JPOP, and pretty much everything else! I also listen to a lot of movie soundtracks, with some of my favorite movie composers being Hans Zimmer and Ludwig Göransson.

EW: I like to listen to rock – like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Dire Straits. I also like to listen to more contemporary rap and hip-hop, like Kanye West, Travis Scott, and Mac Miller. Sometimes when I’m doing homework I’ll listen to bossa nova.