Federico Quercia

Guitar Tutor

Federico began playing the guitar at the age of 12 under his father’s guidance. Then he continued his studies under the supervision of the guitarist-composer Raimondo Di Sandro at the prestigious Conservatorium of Music San Pietro a Majella of Naples where he obtained a Master of Music with First Class Honours in Classical Guitar Performance.  

As part of his graduate and postgraduate training Federico studied with world renowned guitarists, such as Aniello Desiderio in Italy, and Gianni Palazzo in Buenos Aires. He has also attended Master classes with such famous names as Manuel Barrueco, Sergio and Odair Assad, Elliot Fisk and Marco Socias.  

Federico debuted as a soloist at the age of 18 at the Circolo Artistico Politecnico of Naples. Since then he has been active as a soloist and as part of chamber music orchestras in Europe, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand, and has appeared on radio and TV programs in a number of countries. 

In 1991 Federico moved to Los Angeles for one year. Here he met Laurindo Almeida, one of the most important composers and performers of classical Brazilian music, who introduced Federico into the study of harmony and the art of arrangement. Besides his interest in European classical music, Federico has developed an expertise in South American classical and popular music.  

Since Federico moved to New Zealand in January 2004 he has given guitar recitals in various venues such as Canterbury University, Lincoln University, Nelson School of Music, Burnside High School, James Hay Theatre in the Christchurch Town Hall, the Great Hall in The Arts Centre of Christchurch and the Ray Freedman Arts Centre of Auckland.

music@waikato.ac.nz