There is a special sound that comes from a Brazilian rosewood, cedar-top Stephan Connor guitar, a custom-made instrument that can take two years to acquire.
Such a guitar is not something that most UT Dallas students would encounter, but now many — both performers and listeners — will have access to its unique sound.
When Russell Cleveland learned that Dr. Enric Madriguera, director of guitar studies at UT Dallas, was interested in buying a Stephan Connor for the University’s guitar studies program, he gave one to the University from his private collection.
“Mr. Cleveland’s gift will always be available to our most-talented student soloists,” Madriguera said. “Those select students who excel, yet do not have the funds to compete or perform on a really fine guitar, now have this ability thanks to Russell’s gift to guitar studies at UT Dallas.”
The instrument will be available to advanced students and faculty.
“Stephan Connor has become an outstanding guitar builder to the top performing artists, including Eliot Fisk,” said Cleveland, an internationally known collector of classical and acoustic guitars. Fisk is an internationally acclaimed classical guitarist. “I am pleased that the UT Dallas guitar program has this outstanding instrument.”
Cleveland is the driving force behind the Annual Texas Guitar Competition and Festival, which will celebrate its 15th year at UT Dallas this spring. A Wharton School graduate with a passion for music, Cleveland also created an endowed professorship in guitar studies. Madriguera has held the Russell Cleveland Professor of Guitar Studies since it was established in 2009.
“Most of my guitars are from Spain or Germany, so having a world-class concert instrument built by Stephan Connor, a great American maker, as part of our program is a huge step forward for us,” Madriguera said. “I was interested in this type of instrument as it has several innovations, including a sound port, which gives the guitar a robust sound and great projection.”
