Lamont offers an exceptional environment for guitarists, combining individualized instruction with world-class resources and performance opportunitiesOur studio is vibrant and collaborative, where guitarists challenge and support one another in pursuit of artistic excellence. Guided by Professors Jonathan Leathwood and Laura Husbands, students engage in intensive private lessons, chamber music, performance class, large ensembles, and masterclasses with renowned guest artists. In Lamont’s guitar studio, students celebrate each other’s successes and push one another to reach new artistic heights.

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Audition Requirements

Guitar Auditions

Studying Guitar at Lamont

Lamont’s guitar studio offers a rigorous, inspiring, and highly personalized environment where students develop into well-rounded, expressive musicians. Led by Prof. Jonathan Leathwood, the studio focuses on bringing out each student’s best playing—refining technique, artistry, and joyful music-making at every stage of development. Lessons emphasize deep musical understanding, integrating tools like movement, voice, and analysis to help students express music thoughtfully and freely.

Guitarists at Lamont are immersed in a collaborative, performance-rich community in which weekly lessons, studio classes, chamber music coachings, and ensemble rehearsals with diverse instrumentation build versatility and connection. Students work closely with composers, premiere new works, and receive expert training in guitar history, pedagogy, and repertoire. Rooted in the values of both classical liberal arts and practical career preparation, Lamont empowers guitarists to cultivate their artistic voice and shape a distinctive, fulfilling path in today’s musical world. If you’re looking for a place to grow as a musician, artist, and individual, the Lamont guitar studio offers a vibrant and supportive home.

6-14 guitar students at Lamont

Over 3 ensembles to participate in each quarter

300+ performance opportunities per year

Faculty

Guitarists at Lamont study with award-winning artists Jonathan Leathwood and Laura Husbands. Prof. Leathwood is one of the few guitarists to perform on six-string and ten-string guitars, mixing modern and traditional works in his innovative programs. He is an internationally certified teacher of the Alexander Technique and editor of Soundboard Scholar, the only peer-reviewed journal of guitar scholarship in English. Professor Husbands has won top prizes in 11 international competitions and has quickly become a sought-after performer and teacher. She is the artistic director of the Denver Guitar Festival and Competition, which brings internationally known artists to Lamont every year.

Jonathan Leathwood holding a guitar

Jonathan Leathwood

Teaching Professor, Guitar & Music Theory

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Laura Husbands holding acoustic guitar

Laura Husbands

Adjunct Faculty, Guitar

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Guitar student rehearses in chamber group

Auditions

Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition. 

Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application.

Click here to view the current year’s audition dates and the full steps for how to apply.

  • In-Person Audition Requirements
    All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
    Undergraduate (BM, BA, and Minor)
    • Three contrasting works of your own selection, demonstrating your technical and musical maturity. A typical program might be a dance movement by Bach, a nineteenth-century study (by Aguado, Carcassi, Giuliani, Sor, or similar), and a modern piece. You are welcome to include one of your own compositions or arrangements in your program.
    • One three-octave major and one three-octave melodic minor scale of your choice

     

    Graduate (MM and certificate in performance)
    • Three contrasting works of your own selection, demonstrating your technical and musical maturity. A typical program might be a fugue or longer prelude by Bach; a substantial nineteenth-century work, such as a variation set, concerto rondo, or sonata movement; and a substantial romantic or modern work. You are welcome to include one of your own compositions or arrangements in your program. Students interested in the Newman Fellowship for master’s students should check the submission requirements here.
    • Major and melodic minor scales in all keys, in three octaves where possible

     

    Review Requirements for Artist Diploma

  • Video Audition Requirements
    Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit a video audition via the Lamont application. Repertoire may be recorded separately in multiple takes; editing within each take is prohibited.
    Undergraduate (BM, BA, and Minor)
    • Three contrasting works of your own selection, demonstrating your technical and musical maturity. A typical program might be a dance movement by Bach, a nineteenth-century study (by Aguado, Carcassi, Giuliani, Sor, or similar), and a modern piece. You are welcome to include one of your own compositions or arrangements in your program.
    • One three-octave major and one three-octave melodic minor scale of your choice

     

    Graduate (MM and certificate in performance)
    • Three contrasting works of your own selection, demonstrating your technical and musical maturity. A typical program might be a fugue or longer prelude by Bach; a substantial nineteenth-century work, such as a variation set, concerto rondo, or sonata movement; and a substantial romantic or modern work. You are welcome to include one of your own compositions or arrangements in your program. Students interested in the Newman Fellowship for master’s students should check the submission requirements here.
    • Major and melodic minor scales in all keys, in three octaves where possible

     

    Review Requirements for Artist Diploma

     

Life After Lamont

Notable Guitar Alumni

Lamont students have worked with some of the most prestigious music organizations in the world. Alumni have performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolf Trap, Vancouver Symphony, Broadway, the West End, and San Francisco Opera. Lamont composers have premiered works at Carnegie Hall and the Monterey Jazz Festival, and conductors have led orchestras from Brazil to Hungary. Graduates of our Musicology and music theory programs hold posts at prestigious institutions nationwide. And our recording and production students have launched careers in Hollywood, editing soundtracks for films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

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    Hao Yang - MM 2024

    Koblenz International Guitar Competition winner

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    Zachary Larson - MM 2016

    Broadway musician in shows like Chicago, Titaníque, Escape to Margaritaville

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    Daniel Olszewski - PC 2020

    The Guitar Across the World and El Tanguero recital series

  • Laura Husbands

    Laura Husbands, guitar.

  • guitar quartet

    Guest artists, the LA Guitar Quartet.

  • Jonathan Leathwood

    Jonathan Leathwood.

university buildings at night

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