Brian DuFord began his career as a classical guitar soloist in his early teens, eventually 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. In 2009, after scoring numerous independent films and documentaries, he returned to classical music via composition. Within a short period of time his works, described by critics and musicians alike as "innovative and creative", "brilliant" and "very appealing" have been performed worldwide by acclaimed ensembles. Then, during the COVID lockdown, he dusted off his old classical guitar repertoire, coming full circle to reestablish his roots as a solo performer. He now appears regularly throughout Northwestern Connecticut and has, for the past three seasons, been the artist-in-residence at Walker Road Vineyards in Woodbury, CT where he presents music from the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods.
Recent compositional premieres include Transit Time for guitar and domra by String Time Duo at the 2024 Houston Classical Guitar Festival, Solace Within Seclusion for solo oboe by Kelly Vaneman at Converse College, Coal Tails On Rails by Heather Killmeyer at East Tennessee State University and Beer Music by Black Marigold at the 2017 IDRS Conference. Other notable premieres include Notion Of Commotion by Via Nova Chor and Duo d'Accord, Angels With Red Tails by Langley Winds (USAF Heritage of America Band), Variations On An Afro-Cuban Lullaby by Imani Winds and Vignettes Balletiques by Borealis Wind Quintet.
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 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 New York City based guitarist Michel Kunz. Together they form the DuFord-Kunz Duo, specializing in arrangements of late 19th and early 20th Century piano repertoire. Outside of the realm of classical music he has recently teamed up with vocalist/bassist Sean McGlynn. Together they perform reverential arrangements of classic rock songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's.
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, acoustic, folk, blues and rock.
When not composing, concertizing, gigging 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, collects antique glassware and listens to 50's - 60's vinyl.
Recent compositional premieres include Transit Time for guitar and domra by String Time Duo at the 2024 Houston Classical Guitar Festival, Solace Within Seclusion for solo oboe by Kelly Vaneman at Converse College, Coal Tails On Rails by Heather Killmeyer at East Tennessee State University and Beer Music by Black Marigold at the 2017 IDRS Conference. Other notable premieres include Notion Of Commotion by Via Nova Chor and Duo d'Accord, Angels With Red Tails by Langley Winds (USAF Heritage of America Band), Variations On An Afro-Cuban Lullaby by Imani Winds and Vignettes Balletiques by Borealis Wind Quintet.
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 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 New York City based guitarist Michel Kunz. Together they form the DuFord-Kunz Duo, specializing in arrangements of late 19th and early 20th Century piano repertoire. Outside of the realm of classical music he has recently teamed up with vocalist/bassist Sean McGlynn. Together they perform reverential arrangements of classic rock songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's.
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, acoustic, folk, blues and rock.
When not composing, concertizing, gigging 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, collects antique glassware and listens to 50's - 60's vinyl.