Performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Musical Instruments Collection’s 1953 Ignacio Fleta Guitar
As a guitarist, Kevin Sherwin made his solo debuts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Regent Hall in London, England. During the Fall of 2023, Mr. Sherwin returned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for two solo programs, the second of which was thematically paired with the Manet/Degas Exhibition. The Manet/Degas Exhibition was organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie, Paris. These recitals at the Metropolitan Museum of Art were performed on the Collection of Musical Instrument’s 1953 Ignacio Fleta guitar.
He has performed extensively North America in numerous recital programs reflecting his work as a composer and interests in music history. One of his programs, “The Guitar’s Story,” which he toured throughout the United States, he performed on baroque, 19th century, and classical guitars. As well, he frequently premieres his own compositions on recital and chamber music programs, and has been featured at the Music Without Borders Festival of Montreal, the Great Music Series in San Diego, the Bruce Museum Concert Series, and the University of Cambridge Summer Music Festival, among others.
Following his interests in the performance styles of historical classical guitarists, he developed and presented a talk entitled “The Classical Guitar on Early Sound Recordings,” which was featured at the Guitar Foundation of America’s National Convention at the University of Louisville. He has also been invited to give this presentation at The New School, the New York City Classical Guitar Society, and the Wilmington Classical Guitar Society. He has also written articles on classical guitar performance practice for the Yale Collection of Historical Sound Recordings and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
He has performed twice at the University of Cambridge with violist Mark Bailey in the Musica Vera Duo, including original compositions. He was also featured as a guitarist and conductor for the YoungArts New York Gala at the Metropolitan Museum’s Temple of Dendur, working with Tony Honoree, Michael McElroy. Following his interests in the legacy of American guitarists, Kevin has also worked for Steve Miller and the Sailor Music Group, in association with Jazz at Lincoln Center, researching blues guitarists and their styles of the early and mid-20th century. Following his interest in American folk music, he collaborated as a guitarist, composer, and arranger with vocalist Joshua Banbury to record an album called “Forgotten Folklore,” which shares the stories and music of America’s forgotten communities.
Performing his composition “Ballade” at Joe’s Pub, New York, NY
Mr. Sherwin studied at Yale University, where graduated with Honors. Previously, he graduated from the Pre-College Division of The Juilliard School, studying with Tali Roth. He continued his studies in guitar with Christopher Ladd and conducting with Mark Bailey. Mr. Sherwin is a Fellow at Timothy Dwight College, Yale University.