Jon Gjylaci

Regarded by The Guardian as “impressively expert” and by Classical Guitar Magazine as “a highly talented player”, Jon Gjylaci is in increasing demand as a performer and teacher.

Jon has been teaching the guitar for over a decade around the North West in institutions such as the Royal Northern College of Music, Bolton School, Lancaster Community Music Centre as well as privately. His students over the years have achieved a high standard of performing, reaching their goals whilst at the same time growing into accomplished and creative musicians. His students over the years have achieved successes in Graded examinations through ABRSM, Trinity and Rockschool examinations.

Jon’s approach to teaching is to help the students reach their full potential whilst they have a fun and enjoyable experience learning. Jon will set targets and work step by step with the students in order to get the best possible outcome in the shortest amount of time. Jon’s mottos are: “What can be measured, can be improved” and “Perfect practice makes perfect”. As no two people are the same, Jon will tailor the lessons based on the individual’s ability and plan a practice routine which will tackle various technical and musical aspects of their playing.

The guitar is the most versatile instrument of all, and beginner students will be introduced to various possible styles. He will teach students the basic mechanics including posture, plucking/picking, as well as help them read basic music notation, tablature and chord symbols. With intermediate and more advanced players, Jon will help them to focus on building their songs list and repertoire as well as focus on tone production/phrasing and helping them with all the performance/presentation aspects of their guitar playing.

Alongside his teaching career, Jon has been giving concerts, recitals and masterclasses across the UK and Europe and has appeared in venues such as St Martin-in-the-Fields, Cadogan Hall, The Bridgewater Hall and Liverpool University to name but a few. In recent years, Jon has given several World Premieres of new guitar works and collaborated with various Orchestras in the UK and abroad. Jon has appeared live on BBC Radio 3 and was selected as one of their ‘BBC Classical Introducing Artists’ and his latest album ‘Edges of Thought’ was named by ‘Classical Guitar Magazine’ as one of the Top 10 best classical guitar recordings of 2017.

Jon has released two critically acclaimed solo guitar albums and Classical Guitar Magazine has commented on his “…very impressive technical ability, which enables him to flash around the fingerboard in an apparently effortless manner.”

The Guardian wrote: “…when in the impressively expert hands of Jon Gjylaci, [the guitar’s] versatility is immediately apparent.”

Jon studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester under the internationally acclaimed guitarist Craig Ogden, gaining his Bachelor of Music degree and his Postgraduate Diploma in Performance with distinction.

Music Qualifications & Achievements:

• Bachelor of Music (with Honours) RNCM
• Postgraduate Diploma in Performance RNCM