INFORMATION FOR
William Paterson University offers a high level, intensive environment for undergraduate guitar students with concentration in four areas. In each area, students receive instruction from virtuoso performers and are provided with solo and ensemble performing opportunities.
1) Guitar Performance: This program is aimed at developing the highest level of ability in the aspiring guitar performer.
2) Music Education: This is a program preparing for the teacher certification that features work in all the areas of primary and secondary school music teaching.
3) Music Management: The emphasis of this program is on the business of music including the recording industry, publicity, artist management and copyright law.
4) Sound Engineering Arts: The Sound Engineering Arts major will get the technical knowledge needed to get started in the cutting edge field of sound engineering.
Guitar Faculty:
Celil Refik Kaya
Celil Refik Kaya is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer, and recording artist. As a composer, Kaya’s music draws on multicultural influences particularly Turkish classical and folk traditions blending them with Western classical language to create a distinctive and expressive voice. His works, ranging from solo to chamber music, have been commissioned and performed by leading artists including Adam Holzman, Bokyung Byun, the Kossler Duo, and many others.
A Naxos Records artist, Kaya has released multiple critically acclaimed albums featuring the works of Agustín Barrios Mangoré, Jorge Morel, Carlo Domeniconi, and his own original compositions. He is one of only two guitarists to have been named a three-time prizewinner in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, and remains the youngest First Prize winner of the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition.
With an active international performing schedule and a growing body of commissioned works, Kaya continues to inspire as both an artist and educator.
He currently serves as Coordinator of Guitar Studies at both Kean University and William Paterson University
