Classical guitarist takes on classes
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 17, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Miguel Pico, a professional classical guitarist and recently hired Spanish teacher at Wayne Country Day School, will present an evening of classical and flamenco music at the school Sept. 24.
Miguel Pico has never forgotten his first love.
The connection was instant and really struck a chord.
"I was 5 years old when my dad would hold the guitar for me," he said.
The Spanish teacher recently hired at Wayne Country Day School was born in Colombia, where music was a "family tradition," he said.
"I starting taking music and learning," he said. "I went to a special school to learn how to write and read music."
It began as a fun activity, certainly nothing his parents envisioned would become a career. But in his third year of college, the passion won out.
"I decided, I'm wasting my time and I cancelled everything and went to music school," he said. "My dad got a little mad at me. But later, when he saw me in a big concert, he saw how good I am and he said, 'OK, son, I'm proud of you.'"
Relief coupled with confidence propelled him under the tutellage of some of the most renowned guitar masters from different counties. He developed a technique of not only playing adeptly, but also composing his own works.
Now in his 50s, he is recognized as a master guitarist who specializes in classical and flamenco music. He has authored several musical textbooks, recorded six albums and enjoys performing on stage in virtually any venue.
"Last year I celebrated 30 years of being a concertist," he said. "As an artist you're a little selfish -- you like to be the center but I love to share my talent and I like to expose my music to people."
Like an athlete in training, Pico's fingers and his mind work in tandem, similar to the discipline of developing a muscle, he says.
He has three different guitars -- an old Fender classical guitar he uses for teaching and practicing, a Spanish guitar he favors for concerts that also has the "flavor of the flamenco," and another from Japan.
Pico describes his technique as "clean and expressive," magically transforming his instrument into a pure sound.
Beginning to strum, head down, deep in focus, it is clear he is communing as one with the guitar in his hands. It also happens when he is on stage.
"As I start playing sometimes I forget who's there," he says. "You're reading in your mind, but also to get inspired you need to feel the music and just fly."
He says he doesn't spend time speaking during a concert -- not even to introduce the next piece or explain its origin -- preferring to let the sounds pour over the audience.
"I have one lady one time, an elderly lady, came to me after I finished, held my hands and started giving me kisses, 'Amazing, what you do with your hands,'" he recalled. "Most of them want to touch my hands, 'How do you do that with your hands?' They check my hands.
"One little boy came and said, 'I want to be a guitarist like you.' That's exciting."
At the height of his training, he practiced eight hours a day. He still practices for three hours a day, he said.
In addition to an avid love of performing, he thrives on introducing students and even communities to the musical genre.
"In the western area of North Carolina, I brought the concert series, they didn't have that before," he said. "I think in this area it's a little bit the same. They have not had many opportunities to listen to a classical guitarist, so I want to start.
"I would like to start kind of a school of classical guitar. I did it in Morganton. That's something I would like to start here."
Pico's move to Goldsboro was quite by accident, brokered as his wife, Claudia Pinto, a Spanish teacher at Wayne Country Day School for the past five years, was preparing to leave the school.
"She got this job and she loved this school -- the ambience, everything," he said. "But she was struggling every week, coming back and forth traveling."
The couple had been juggling a long-distance relationship, leaving Pico on his own since the couple's twin daughters, now 21, headed off to college in California. His wife decided to find another job to be closer to home.
Until Headmaster Todd Anderson stepped in.
"When she decided to move and leave this job, the principal said, 'No, no, no,'" Pico said.
Discovering Pico had also been teaching, as well as being a classical guitarist, Anderson initially offered him a job teaching AP music. When a spot for a Spanish teacher opened up, Pico took the middle and upper level students and his wife moved to the elementary grades.
Pico says he hopes to offer music lessons to students and become more involved in the community.
His first official introduction will be later this month, when WCDS hosts him in concert. It will also mark the first public production at the school's Performing Arts Center, which seats 250.
The evening of classical and flamenco music will be Thurs., Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the school office.
More information about Pico can also be found on his website, www.miguitar.com.