Fernand Vera
Fernand Vera
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Fernand Vera Director of Guitar Studies Class Guitar I Guitar Ensembles Applied Guitar |
Born in Houston, TX to a French mother and an Ecuadorian father, Fernand Vera is an active performer and recording artist with Kithara Duo (http://www.kitharaduo.com), educator, author, arranger, and event organizer. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of North Texas. Since 2012, Fernand has directed the thriving Guitar Studies program at Collin College in Plano, TX. He is the Artistic Director of the annual Collin College Guitar Festival, held each spring semester. He is also the creator and director of the annual Collin College Guitar Competition, the only event of its kind specifically for Texas community college students, held every fall semester. For more information, please visit our Collin College Guitar Studies website: http://www.collin.edu/music/guitar/. As an educator and author, Fernand has written several guitar method books: The Beginning Guitar Method, Vol. 1, now in its fifth edition (co-written with Olga Amelkina-Vera), The Beginning Guitar Method, Vol. 2 for continuing guitar students, and Guitar Fitness: Technical Studies for the Advancing Guitarist. These publications are used as guitar studies curriculum at Collin College for class guitar and applied lessons. Fernand’s students participate in guitar festivals and competitions throughout the state of Texas. His students have won prizes in solo and ensemble competitions, most recently the 2017 and 2016 Mountain View Guitar Solo and Ensemble Festival, 2014 University of Texas at Brownsville Guitar Ensemble Competition, and 2013 Hill Country International Guitar Ensemble Competition. In addition, his students have also been awarded competitive scholarships to continue their studies at universities such as Southwestern University, Oklahoma City University, University of North Texas, and University of Texas at Brownsville. Fernand’s commitment to excellence in teaching has been recognized by students, faculty, and administration at Collin College. His latest awards include the 2016 Outstanding Commitment to Furthering The Success of Collin College Students, 2016 Engaged Scholarship Award, and the 2017 NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) Excellence Award. Most recently, Fernand was chosen as one of the five finalists for the 2017-2018 Outstanding Professor of the Year award. He continuously contributes to the guitar ensemble repertoire through his numerous arrangements and transcriptions, many of which are used for his applied students and guitar ensembles.
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