The 10th annual Guitar Fest took center stage on Sunday at the 92nd Street Y with a focus on female artists.
The event featured a wide range of rhythms, including Jiji Kim from Korea, the funky jazz notes of Sheryl Bailey, the original inventive style of Kaki King and the country melodies of Ann Klein.
Ben Verdery is the brainchild behind Guitar Fest. The artistic director of 92Y's guitar series is also a professor at the Yale School of Music so he is an expert at grinding the axe, but is always excited to bring this unique instrument to students of all ages.
"You're never too young or too old to play the guitar," said Ben Verdery, artistic director with the 92nd Street Y. "The guitar is one of those instruments like when a baby touches the guitar, and their face goes like — it's magical, all they did was one note."
One of the coolest parts about guitar fest is after the performances were over, the event broke out into a more intimate setting where the students could go 1-on-1 with the teachers.
"I love passing it on and giving it forward," said guitarist Kaki King. "I think that teaching is the best way to understand what it is that you actually do, so when I get to breakdown what I do and I do it really slowly and I pull apart the pieces I go, oh that's what I was figuring out and it helps my writing and it helps a lot of things to teach."
"I hope that somebody can use one of my tricks, and if they do, then I've served my purpose," said guitarist Ann Klein.
And yes, this event was for beginners as well, even if you've never played a guitar in your life.