The Rochester Guitar Duo

The Rochester Guitar Duo

"Nashville cats play clean as country water, and so do our Rochester Cats, Tim and Dennis. We were dazzled by their fancy fretwork!"
- John Williamson, Rochester Guitar Club

The Rochester Guitar Duo is a recently formed ensemble consisting of classical guitarists Timothy Shannon and Dennis Repino. The duo performs music both written and arranged for two guitars, including repertoire from Ireland, France, Spain, and the Renaissance.  The ensemble’s first performance was successful and was met with a warm reception from the audience.

Timothy Shannon

Guitarist Timothy Shannon has performed throughout the country as a soloist and in a variety of chamber music settings. His performance of the music of Villa Lobos has been described as 'magical' and 'inspired' (Jonathan Dunsby, Eastman School of Music). He has collaborated with artists such as internationally acclaimed soprano Aprile Millo, guitarist Petar Kodzas, and is a founding member of the Rochester Guitar Duo. Dr. Shannon currently teaches at Roberts Wesleyan College and the Hochstein Music School, both located in Rochester, NY. Since joining the faculty at Roberts Wesleyan, Dr. Shannon has established the R.W.C. Guitar Ensemble and the Guitar Performance Program, where he integrates the study of guitar pedagogy and the history and literature of the guitar. Timothy Shannon completed his doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music under the direction of Nicholas Goluses. In addition to his guitar studies at Eastman, Timothy also studied Baroque performance practice with world-renown lutenist Paul O'Dette. During his years as a student Timothy also studied with Joanne Castellani of the Castellani - Andriaccio Duo as well as taken master classes with Christopher Parkening, Sharon Isbin, and the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He lives in Rochester, NY with his wife Donna and their daughter Kate.

Dennis Repino

Classical Guitarist Dennis Repino studied at Fredonia University where he earned both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees under the direction of Professor James Piorkowski. In 2011, Dennis completed his doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music under Nicholas Goluses. Dr. Repino is an award-wining guitarist who received the Performer’s Certificate as well as the grand prize of the first Fredonia Guitar Competition of 2003. Dennis has performed throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania, appearing as a soloist and in ensemble. Dr. Repino participated in master classes with Christopher Parkening, Paul Galbraith, Martha Masters, Risa Carlson, Rodney Stucky, Eduardo Fernandez, David Tannebaum, and the Brazilian Guitar Quartet. Dennis currently teaches guitar at Finger Lakes Community College and Mobile Music, both located in Canandaigua, NY. Dr. Repino is a published composer and has released three compact discs of original works as well as a holiday album.

To listen to an audio sample of the Rochester Guitar Duo, please click on the following link: