Mark Ashford

Mark Ashford is an internationally renowned performer and teacher. He began his formal musical education as a scholarship student at Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester at the age of 12. He then won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music, London from where he graduated with first class honours in 1994. He completed his studies with the eminent guitarist David Russell in Vigo, Spain thanks to awards from the Countess of Munster, Allcard Grants and the Royal Academy of Music.

Mark is a laureate of several major national and international competitions including the Guitar Foundation of America, Alessandria International Guitar Competition (Italy), Scandinavian International Guitar Competition, Julian Bream Prize and BBC Radio 2 Young Musician. He has performed as a soloist at major venues including Buckingham Palace, the Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre, Queens Hall (Edinburgh) and St George’s (Bristol).

Mark's seven CDs include a recording of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Nicholas Cleobury. This led to a successful concerto tour of many venues throughout the UK, including Fairfied Halls (Croydon) and Bridgewater Hall (Manchester).

He was Course Director at the Bath International Guitar Festival for six years and is currently Musical Director of the youth ensemble ‘Guitar Circus-Midlands’. He regularly gives masterclasses and recitals at leading conservatoires of music and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his achievements in the music profession. Along with his solo performances Mark is also a member of the Vida Guitar Quartet, which released its debut CD in 2009 to critical acclaim.