The Hanser-McClellan Guitar Duo
2009 Bio
John McClellan and Kirk Hanser began performing together in 1996, each already being an established solo artist in his own right. As a duo, they quickly became known for their choice of entertaining programs, their technical and musical prowess, and their abilities for connecting with audiences. Over the past several years, they have become recognized by critics and audiences alike as one of the most enjoyable and highly respected chamber music groups in the U.S.
John McClellan’s playing has been described as “masterly...with a virtuous warm tone...fluid phrasing and a strong sense of rhythm” (The Brisbane Courier Mail, Brisbane, Australia). A master of many musical styles, John has been heard in concert and on recordings with Luciano Pavarotti, Vince Gill, Tim Thompson, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), to name a few. As a soloist, John has done major tours of the U.S. and Australia.
In addition to being a straight-ahead classical artist, John is the author of the fastest selling books in the history of Mel Bay Publications, Chet Atkins in Three Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2. He recently released an exciting two-DVD set demonstrating the style and music of Mr. Atkins, aptly titled Chet Licks (OTI Multimedia).
John serves as Professor of Guitar and the coordinator for guitar studies for Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri, where the HMGD is ensemble-in-residence. John, his wife, Diane, and their four children live in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Kirk Hanser “is a superb guitarist...possessing an authentic musical personality” writes author and music critic Erik Eriksson (The DC Advocate, Door County, WI). Kirk has performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan as soloist with orchestra, with various chamber groups and on solo guitar. He has appeared on numerous recordings with a wide range of artists and organizations, and is an author for Warner Brothers Publications and Mel Bay Publications with numerous books in print ranging in style from classical to jazz, rock to country.
An award-winning teacher as well as performer, Kirk’s work with students - in and out of academe – have garnered several national awards including “National Teacher of the Year” and three-time “Outstanding National Program” for his work with the Childbloom Guitar Program. He serves as Executive Director for the St. Louis Guitar Consortium, Inc., an organization which focuses on providing guitar-related opportunities (such as the Mid America Guitar Camps) for young musicians throughout the United States. Kirk resides in St. Louis with his wife, Laura, and their four children.
The Hanser-McClellan Duo’s first feature CD, Jongo, featuring South American music from some of the region’s most famous composers, received awesome reviews both by music critics and by the public. Their most recent recording, La Vida Breve, includes exciting world premiere recordings - most of which were written for or dedicated to the HMGD - by such award-winning composers as Jorge Morel, Rico Stover and Jonas Mollberg.
Over the past 13 years, the HMGD has performed for such diverse events as the Sheldon Classics Series (St.Louis, MO), the “Great Guitarists Series” in Austin, Texas, the Kansas City Guitar Society, the International Guitar Foundation of America Conference (1999 & again in 2005) and are standing, annual “special guests” at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Festival.