Dr. Andrés Pantoja Vasquez is a classical guitarist whose artistry bridges the gap between historical mastery and contemporary innovation. A versatile performer with a deep commitment to the expressive potential of the guitar, his work spans from the refined technical precision of the classical repertoire to the rhythmic complexities of Latin American folk music, Tango, Flamenco, and NuJazz.Dr. Pantoja Vasquez holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA) from the University of Arizona, where he studied under maestro Tom Patterson, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, the top-ranked institution in Latin America. Dr. Pantoja offers online classical guitar lessons, flamenco, and Latin American folk styles.

His doctoral research stands as a significant contribution to Chilean contemporary music, reflecting his lifelong commitment to expanding the repertoire through rigorous academic and artistic inquiry. His discography is as diverse as his technique. He recently recorded an album featuring Platero and I by M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco, alongside narrator Grayson Hirst, published by Soundset Recordings in the U.S. He has also been a leading voice in the recording of contemporary Chilean works. His collaborative spirit is evident in projects that defy traditional borders, notably the album Conciertos del Bicentenario with Ensemble Nuevo, released on a German label, which explores the intersections between classical music and NuJazz.

Beyond his work as a soloist, Dr. Pantoja Vasquez possesses a profound connection to the roots of his instrument. His expertise is deeply nurtured by his long-standing participation in El SurCo, a group dedicated to traditional Latin American genres. This experience has granted him an authentic command of regional performance practices, which he skillfully integrates into his classical performance. As an accomplished professional charango player and a dedicated performer of Flamenco, he brings a global perspective to every stage he graces.

Currently, Dr. Pantoja Vasquez is collaborating with Maximiliano Larrea and Misael Barraza on an upcoming album featuring Argentinian Tango. Whether performing as a soloist or in cross-genre ensemble settings, he captivates audiences with a sophisticated, boundary-pushing performance style that celebrates the depth of the musical tradition.

Grayson Hirst is an American tenor; b. Ojai, Calif., Dec. 27, 1939. He studied at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, Calif., with Singher at the Univ. of Calif, at Los Angeles, and with Tourel at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. (1963–72), making his professional debut as Cavalli’s Orinoco with the Opera Soc. of Washington, D.C. (1969). His first appearance in N.Y. was as Tonio in a concert performance of La Fille du régiment at Carnegie Hall (1970); after singing Quint in The Turn of the Screw at the N.Y.C. Opera (1972), he appeared in opera throughout the U.S. and Europe while also pursuing an extensive concert career. In 1986, he joined the faculty at the University of Arizona. His operatic repertoire includes over 70 roles, ranging from Mozart to contemporary roles.

Platero & I (Platero y yo) is a book of prose by Spain's Nobel laureate Juan Ramón Jiménez. Composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco set selected verses to music for classical guitar and narration, performed here by guitarist Andrés Pantoja and narrator Grayson Hirst, with mezzo-soprano Diana Peralta.