Brian DuFord began his career as a classical guitar soloist, earning degrees from the Mannes College of Music and Yale School of Music where he studied with Sharon Isbin and Benjamin Verdery, respectively. In 2002, after concertizing for nearly two decades, he exited the classical music field and embarked upon a new course as a composer in the entertainment industry. Then in 2009, after scoring numerous independent films and documentaries, he returned to classical music. Within a short period of time his compositions, described by critics and musicians alike as "innovative and creative", "brilliant" and "very appealing" have been performed worldwide by acclaimed ensembles, garnering much attention, enthusiasm and praise.
Recent premieres include Coal Trails on Rails by Heather Killmeyer at East Tennessee State University, Beer Music by Black Marigold at the 2017 IDRS Conference and Five Moments Musicaux by Marina Alexandra at the 2017 New Orleans International Guitar Festival. Other notable performances include Notion of Commotion by Via Nova Chor and Duo d'Accord, Angels with Red Tails by Langley Winds, Variations on an Afro-Cuban Lullaby by Imani Winds and Vignettes Balletiques by Borealis Wind Quintet.
In 2020, together with composer/performer Milica Paranosic, he co-founed Take A Pick (TAP), an ensemble dedicated to the synthesis of music, dance, multi-media and the visual arts. TAP gave it's debut performance on February 13, 2021 premiering their original composition American Fever -Song Cycle as part of Composers Concordance Low Key Chamber Concert Series (in conjunction with Composers Now Festival). The work is based upon Peter Christian Hall's 2007 novel American Fever: A Tale of Romance & Pestilence. In 2021 TAP released two music videos: the animated Bleak (from American Fever) and Not All Apples Are Blue Color (from TAP/Body featuring poet Robert C. Ford).
He, along with flutist Christopher Vaneman, is a founding member of the flute & guitar duo ECHO - described as "possessing extraordinary rapport and sensitivity" by guitarist Eliot Fisk. They recently served as ensemble-in-residence for the University of Texas-Pan American's annual Flute Day 2014 and were a featured ensemble at the John Hopkins Peabody Institute Fret Festival 2015. Brian also performs regularly with guitarist Michel Kunz. Together they form the DuFord-Kunz Duo, specializing in arrangements of late 19th and early 20th Century piano repertoire.
A dedicated teacher, Brian has given masterclasses, lectures and workshops throughout the United States and Europe including the Mannes College of Music, the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München and the Tiroler Landeskonservatorium Innsbruck. A much sought after private instructor - his studio of young musicians, some of whom have developed careers in the music business, explore the finer points of classical, folk, blues and rock.
When not composing, concertizing or teaching he can often be found in the kitchen with a pint of good craft ale, a chef's hat and numerous cookbooks preparing gourmet meals for friends and colleagues. He is a dedicated student of Ashtanga Yoga, an avid fan of Victorian literature, enjoys craft brewing and frequently does volunteer work within his local community. Brian performs on a 1991 Thomas Humphrey Millennium guitar and a 1979 José Ramirez.
Recent premieres include Coal Trails on Rails by Heather Killmeyer at East Tennessee State University, Beer Music by Black Marigold at the 2017 IDRS Conference and Five Moments Musicaux by Marina Alexandra at the 2017 New Orleans International Guitar Festival. Other notable performances include Notion of Commotion by Via Nova Chor and Duo d'Accord, Angels with Red Tails by Langley Winds, Variations on an Afro-Cuban Lullaby by Imani Winds and Vignettes Balletiques by Borealis Wind Quintet.
In 2020, together with composer/performer Milica Paranosic, he co-founed Take A Pick (TAP), an ensemble dedicated to the synthesis of music, dance, multi-media and the visual arts. TAP gave it's debut performance on February 13, 2021 premiering their original composition American Fever -Song Cycle as part of Composers Concordance Low Key Chamber Concert Series (in conjunction with Composers Now Festival). The work is based upon Peter Christian Hall's 2007 novel American Fever: A Tale of Romance & Pestilence. In 2021 TAP released two music videos: the animated Bleak (from American Fever) and Not All Apples Are Blue Color (from TAP/Body featuring poet Robert C. Ford).
He, along with flutist Christopher Vaneman, is a founding member of the flute & guitar duo ECHO - described as "possessing extraordinary rapport and sensitivity" by guitarist Eliot Fisk. They recently served as ensemble-in-residence for the University of Texas-Pan American's annual Flute Day 2014 and were a featured ensemble at the John Hopkins Peabody Institute Fret Festival 2015. Brian also performs regularly with guitarist Michel Kunz. Together they form the DuFord-Kunz Duo, specializing in arrangements of late 19th and early 20th Century piano repertoire.
A dedicated teacher, Brian has given masterclasses, lectures and workshops throughout the United States and Europe including the Mannes College of Music, the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München and the Tiroler Landeskonservatorium Innsbruck. A much sought after private instructor - his studio of young musicians, some of whom have developed careers in the music business, explore the finer points of classical, folk, blues and rock.
When not composing, concertizing or teaching he can often be found in the kitchen with a pint of good craft ale, a chef's hat and numerous cookbooks preparing gourmet meals for friends and colleagues. He is a dedicated student of Ashtanga Yoga, an avid fan of Victorian literature, enjoys craft brewing and frequently does volunteer work within his local community. Brian performs on a 1991 Thomas Humphrey Millennium guitar and a 1979 José Ramirez.