Liz H.

Guitar

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Liz is a guitarist and composer from Brooklyn, NY. She has been described as “uniquely her own, writing independent music that doesn’t reflect the trends” (I Heart Noise), possessing “energy, expressive dynamics and phrasing” (American Record Guide), “fantastic work” (Classical Guitar Magazine) and “playing with a more distinctive and original approach that includes quickly-strummed chords, chiming arpeggios, and rapid-fire picking” (Geoff Cabin). Her playing has been further characterized as “strong, precise, and powerful” (Bushwick Music Daily), “radiating in its own light” (New Noise Magazine), carrying “élan and fine precision” (Fanfare), and “displaying a confrontational spectrum of emotions” (Music & Riots).

 

As both a classical guitarist and performer of her original music, Liz has toured twelve countries, playing numerous festivals and concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Brookfield Place, as well as Portugal’s Casa da Música and Mexico’s Tlaqná Concert Hall. She has won awards that include the Mannes School of Music Dean’s Award, the Maurice Kagan Memorial Scholarship Award for Excellence in an Orchestral Instrument (first guitarist recipient), and was a Fulbright-García Robles Scholarship semi-finalist. Liz was also the first American to win a fellowship for performance and study at the Lanciano International Guitar Festival in Italy and has received grants from Chamber Music America, the Peter M. Gross fund and Queens College.

 

Liz has recorded nine full-length albums, five eps, and four singles. Her recordings and performances have garnered reviews from The New York Times, NME, Big Takeover and MTV. Beyond her solo music, Hogg plays in the band Safer, as well as Esenca Duo and various groups throughout NYC.

 

Liz’s teaching goal is to instill an appreciation for the learning process in every student - ultimately, she considers it the teacher's job to show students how to teach themselves. Within a pedagogical framework that emphasizes fundamentals, Liz encourages her students to take a creative role in practice and problem solving, instilling a sense of independence and ownership over their musical studies from the very beginning. With music as the medium, she aims to foster habits of critical and creative thinking in each student that can impact their lives well beyond the realm of guitar playing.

 

She also aims to cultivate a relaxed sense of self and a physical and emotional attachment to the instrument, where the goal is to defeat any distance separating the player from their instrument. Students will learn to make a choice to be happy with themselves and their playing at whatever level they are, and to cultivate the self-confidence and drive to improve each and every day.