Professor and performing artist Rene Izquierdo (Area Head, Guitar) has been honored with the title Distinguished Professor for his outstanding work in the Department of Music. Fewer than 60 professors throughout UW-Milwaukee’s history have received the title, and he is the first from the College of the Arts & Architecture, according to former dean Kevin Hartman.
Receiving the designation of Distinguished Professor
The Distinguished Professor title is a distinction awarded to educators for conducting scholarship that has garnered national or international recognition. Izquierdo was awarded the title following a review by a board comprised of peers.
“I was nominated by the Executive Committee from Peck School of the Arts’ music department into the chair,” said Izquierdo. “After that, it goes to the dean, and they send out requests for external reviews. It takes a while for them to come back with their letters of support.”
Izquierdo came to the United States from Cuba’s Superior Institute of Art Havana to study for a Master of Music in guitar at Yale University School of Music, later going on to also receive a Master of Music in education from Lehman College in New York. After moving to Milwaukee in 2004, he formed UWM’s guitar program.
“Before I came to Milwaukee, there was no guitar program in the music department. We actually started the program from scratch in 2004,” Izquierdo said. “I created a model of what I thought was needed.”
Izquierdo has been overseeing the successful program and its students since then.
When school is not in session, Izquierdo tours the world performing and engaging with the community. He serves on the board for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, conducts the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, and performs research for the Milwaukee Classical Guitar Society, which he formed.
Role as an educator
For Izquierdo, being an educator is not just a role but also a passion. He encourages students to pursue their goals and take risks, drawing from his own experiences and unconventional paths.
“My career was very different when I was in Cuba, so when I came to the United States, I happened to audition to Yale University for a master’s degree in Guitar,” Izquierdo said. “My credits from the university in Havana did not transfer, so I had to audition. And I passed! I became a guitarist all of a sudden.”Izquierdo works one-on-one with students in the program, providing them with private lessons and tailoring his lessons to the needs of individual students. His performance career, personal life, and academic career are intertwined.
“My life is at the university. I’m a professor and a teacher at heart… I have the teaching bug,” said Izquierdo. “That’s what I like doing the most, and that’s my calling.”
Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)