Dr. Felipe Vargas Magdaleno
Dr. Felipe Vargas Magdaleno, who has led university guitar programs in Brazil and the United States, has been appointed Lecturer of music (guitar).
"As we sought a faculty member to lead our storied guitar studio into its next chapter, we were looking for an experienced, dedicated and creative teacher, a strong and flexible musician, and a collaborative and student-focused colleague," said School of Music Dean David Stringham. "We are thrilled to have found Dr. Vargas Magdaleno, and look forward to welcoming him to campus this fall!"
Originally from Brazil, Vargas Magdaleno is a performer and seasoned guitar pedagogue with more than a decade of experience heading guitar programs at the University of Passo Fundo and Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, both in Brazil, and the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Additionally, he has taught master classes and clinics at Yamandu Costa School of Music and the Federal University of Santa Maria, both in Brazil.
Vargas Magdaleno has also founded guitar festivals and outreach programs, including the Passo Fundo International Guitar Festival, the Da Capo outreach program, which offers free music education and instrument lessons for underprivileged children and teenagers. As a performer, Vargas Magdaleno maintains an active career with solo and chamber appearances in South America, Asia and the United States. His diverse engagements include collaborations with orchestras, symphonic choirs and jazz ensembles, as well as collaborations with renowned musicians such as Dr. Dieter Hennings (guitar), Dr. Tulio Rondon (cello), Nobuyoshi Yasuda (violin) and Dr. Trent Jacobs (bassoon).
As a scholar, Vargas Magdaleno has collaborated with some of the most important 21st century composers of his native Brazil, such as Marcus Siqueira. The collaboration resulted in publications such as “Siqueira's Guitar Book” N.1 (Wip Edizioni), “Four Fragments of Time for Guitar and Electronics” (Universal Edition), and “50 Visioni in Miniature & Silenzi” (Universal Edition). He continuously publishes his research on Marcus Siqueira’s music and, this year he joined the scientific committee of the International Hisarli Ahmet Symposium in Kütahya, Turkey.
Vargas Magdaleno most recently served as an associate lecturer at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. He has a D.M.A. in Guitar Performance from the University of Kentucky at Lexington, a M.M. in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Arizona, where he was a teaching assistant and studied with guest artists David Russell, Sergio Assad and Odair Assad, and a B.M. from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.
