Shohei Toyoda
Acclaimed finger-style guitarist Shohei Toyoda was born in Japan and raised in Dublin, Ohio. Shohei always knew he had a special connection to music throughout his life. He received his musical education at Berklee College of Music, and has studied with many prestigious musicians, such as John Mcgann, Walter Beasley, Bob Pilkington and Guy Van Duser.
2011 The Grand Champion of the “Home of the Legends” International Thumb-Picking Contest in Mulenburg, Kentucky
2012 First Prize and Best Arrangement Award at Japan’s National Finger- Picking Guitar Contest
Doug Smith
Grammy-Award Winning Guitarist Doug Smith has been called a cross between Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges. In 2005, Doug won a Grammy award for his participation on the Henry Mancini tribute CD Pink Guitar, in 2006 he won the prestigious Winfield International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and in 2007 he was one of the guitarists who contributed to the popular movie August Rush.
Since then he has taught at guitar workshops throughout the country, toured Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and China, and shared the stage with guitar luminaries such as Andy McKee, Tommy Emmanuel and Laurence Juber. His compositions have been heard on NPR, Turner Classic Movies and Good Morning America among other places.