- ri7@uwm.edu
- 414-324-7570
- Kenilworth Square East 507
- He / Him
Rene Izquierdo
- Distinguished Professor, Classical Guitar
- Area Head, Guitar
- Director, Guitar Ensemble
- Chamber Music Coach
Education
- MME, Music Education, Lehman College, NY, 2004
- Artist Diploma, Music/Guitar, Yale University, 2000
- MM, Music/Guitar Performance, Yale University, 1999
Biography
Cuban-born guitarist René Izquierdo is an internationally acclaimed artist, passionate educator, and advocate for the unifying power of music. His career has been devoted to inspiring individuals, connecting communities, and expanding the reach of classical guitar through performance, teaching, and outreach. Whether on stage, mentoring students, or leading community initiatives, René’s multifaceted artistry reflects his belief that music can transform lives and bring beauty to the world.
Praised for his “unforgettable versatility, sensitivity, and sublime musicianship” (Classical Guitar Magazine), René is recognized among the foremost classical guitarists of his generation. His performances unite technical brilliance with expressive storytelling, creating intimate experiences that reveal the emotional depth of the music and the shared humanity of performer and audience.
Performing more than seventy engagements annually, René maintains a vibrant international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral soloist. He has toured extensively throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, appearing at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Manaus Opera House in Brazil, and the National Recital Hall in Taiwan. He is a frequent guest at major festivals including Domaine Forget (Canada), Iserlohn (Germany), and Petrer (Spain).
A lifelong learner and explorer, René’s artistry reflects wide-ranging curiosity. His discography demonstrates a commitment to expanding the guitar’s expressive potential, bringing forward forgotten twentieth-century works, new arrangements, and world premieres of concertos and contemporary compositions. His programs often reveal a deep interest in cultural diversity and the evolution of the guitar as a global instrument.
As Distinguished Professor and Director of Classical Guitar Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts, René has guided a vibrant community of young artists for over two decades. His teaching philosophy unites intellect and emotion, encouraging students to balance technical mastery with imagination, curiosity, and empathy. Many of his students have earned prizes in national and international competitions and have gone on to successful performing and teaching careers.
René is a frequent guest lecturer and masterclass artist at universities and festivals worldwide, where his generosity and insight continue to inspire new generations. Through his performances, recordings, and educational projects, he embodies the ideals of artistry, curiosity, and human connection. His life in music is a testament to the transformative power of beauty and the boundless reach of art.