About Me

Marco de Waart Musical Biography:   Marco was born into a musical family in Amsterdam, Holland, beginning his Classical guitar studies at the Sweelinck Conservatory at the age of seven. He performed in the Conservatory’s Bach Concert Hall in 1968. Immersion in Flamenco guitar studies occurred with frequent travel throughout his youth to Spain. This passion was reflected in his recital at the Spanish Institute of Guitar in New York, attended by Mario Escudero, and Marco’s having taken lessons with Dennis Koster. 

Marco received a scholarship from New York’s Mannes College of Music, from which he graduated. He studied intensively, privately, with Manuel Barrueco, who was a major musical influence upon him. He also benefited from private studies with Chuck Wayne, a prominent jazz guitarist, as well as classical studies with Eliot Fisk and Sharon Isbin. As a matter of interest, Eliot Fisk recently recorded “In Duo Recital” with Paco Pena. He was also able to study with Angel Romero. Living in New York afforded Marco significant exposure to extraordinary musicians.

Mr. de Waart’s solo debut in Carnegie Recital Hall in 1985 was greeted with high praise. Concertizing extensively as a soloist in major cities through out the United States ensued, including in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian Institution. He also performed with the Santa Fe Opera in a very well received production of Cavalli’s La Calisto.

He has composed and transcribed for guitar and chamber music ensembles, and founded the successful San Miguel Trio in 1986. In 1989 one of his Beethoven transcriptions was published by the prestigious Gendai Guitar of Japan. His arrangement and performance of the Double Concerto in D minor by J.S. Bach was featured in a major Hollywood motion picture.

Marco has been cited by numerous music critics for his beautifully written arrangements and performances, noting for example, his achievement of “magical interplay” (David Noble, Albuquerque Journal) and of being an “important practitioner of the musical art” (William Dunning, The New Mexican). Along with arrangements and performances, Marco has taught extensively and has accompanied Flamenco dancer Illeana Gomez, and collaborated with Flamenco guitarist Alejandro Pais. He has now had the great pleasure of accompanying the great, internationally recognized, Flamenco dancer, Bridgit Lujan, since 2016.