Classical guitarist Jon Sharp shares his passion for music with the Corvallis community.
by Alex Taylor
edited by Abigail Hurliman
edited by Abigail Hurliman
Jon Sharp had no place to share his passion for classical guitar when he arrived in Corvallis in 2012. And then he met flamenco guitarist Berto Boyd. The two of them founded the Corvallis Guitar Society in 2014.
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| Jon Sharp, with his line of Cordoba guitars, at his Downtown Corvallis studio. Alex Taylor photo. |
Sharp, 55, is a classical guitarist with an unusual history. Born in England, Sharp earned a degree in business before getting a job at Intel in 1984. His work there brought him to Munich, Germany, where he worked for a few years, having learned German during his studies in the UK. From there he moved on to Santa Clara, Calif., where Intel is headquartered.
“It was a very exciting time,” said Sharp. “I worked there for 20 years, doing marketing.”
Any regrets about leaving Intel?
“There are some things I miss,” he said. “It was a great company, with great people, and it was an amazing experience. However, I am very happy doing music.”
“It was a very exciting time,” said Sharp. “I worked there for 20 years, doing marketing.”
Any regrets about leaving Intel?
“There are some things I miss,” he said. “It was a great company, with great people, and it was an amazing experience. However, I am very happy doing music.”
After leaving Intel, Sharp entered a graduate program in classical guitar at San Jose State University, where he graduated with a Master’s degree in music in 2009. You can hear him perform Dec. 16, in a holiday-themed guitar ensemble program, and in a more formal recital, with soprano Rebecca Fromherz, on Feb. 17, both at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.
Sharp and his wife, photographer Julia Bradshaw, met over 30 years ago in Sheffield, England. When Sharp moved to Germany, and then to Santa Clara, Bradshaw came with him. In 2012, she got a position as a professor of photography in the art and new media programs at Oregon State University, and so together, they came to Corvallis.
What kind of instructor is Jon?
“Jon is extremely diligent, thoughtful, and compassionate,” Bradshaw said. “He has a great deal of empathy with his students and understands how to teach students of different learning styles.”
What’s something interesting about him?
“He’s actually an accomplished climber. For example, he climbed Half Dome in Yosemite, the hard way,” said Bradshaw. “He stopped climbing because it wasn’t compatible with playing classical guitar - he needed to maintain his fingernails!”
Sharp and his wife, photographer Julia Bradshaw, met over 30 years ago in Sheffield, England. When Sharp moved to Germany, and then to Santa Clara, Bradshaw came with him. In 2012, she got a position as a professor of photography in the art and new media programs at Oregon State University, and so together, they came to Corvallis.
What kind of instructor is Jon?
“Jon is extremely diligent, thoughtful, and compassionate,” Bradshaw said. “He has a great deal of empathy with his students and understands how to teach students of different learning styles.”
What’s something interesting about him?
“He’s actually an accomplished climber. For example, he climbed Half Dome in Yosemite, the hard way,” said Bradshaw. “He stopped climbing because it wasn’t compatible with playing classical guitar - he needed to maintain his fingernails!”
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| Two of Sharp's posters. The left represents the mathematical side of music, while the right represents the artistic side. Alex Taylor photo. |
“I was teaching guitar at Gracewinds Music Store for a while,” said Sharp. “That’s where I met Berto Boyd, and we started the Corvallis Guitar Society. Sadly, Gracewinds closed down in late 2016.”
Boyd, a guitarist for over 30 years, recounts how he and Sharp met.
“Jon and I met through my wife, who used to work at Corvallis clinic. He was in a bike race and had an accident, and she stitched up his head,” said Boyd. “She mentioned that I played guitar and Jon said to himself, ‘Well, everyone plays guitar.’ And then she said that I was in Miami taking a master class with David Russell. And he said ‘Oh, so he’s a real guitarist!’
“We met up a couple weeks later and played through a bunch of duo music together, and we were both thinking about starting a guitar society. And the rest is history.”
After the closing of Gracewinds, Sharp decided it was time to start his own studio. In January, he rented a space above Starbucks on Madison, in downtown Corvallis.
“It’s been great so far,” said Sharp. “I much prefer teaching one-on-one because every student learns at his or her own pace. I was also able to get a deal with Córdoba Guitars, who let me have their guitars, even though I am a teacher, not a retailer. They appreciate that I am educating people about classical guitar.”
What’s the difference between an acoustic and classical guitar?
“Classical guitars use nylon strings, and they aren’t just for playing classical music,” said Sharp. “The most notable difference is that classical guitars are generally solo guitars. Whereas regular guitars are usually accompanied other musicians, classical guitars can be the entire band, in one.”
Since 2014, the Society has dedicated itself to encouraging participation in Corvallis’ guitar community, with the goal of inspiring others. On the first Monday of each month, they have featured artists, an ensemble, and an open stage, where anyone is allowed to come and play.
Winter Season Events
What’s the difference between an acoustic and classical guitar?
“Classical guitars use nylon strings, and they aren’t just for playing classical music,” said Sharp. “The most notable difference is that classical guitars are generally solo guitars. Whereas regular guitars are usually accompanied other musicians, classical guitars can be the entire band, in one.”
Since 2014, the Society has dedicated itself to encouraging participation in Corvallis’ guitar community, with the goal of inspiring others. On the first Monday of each month, they have featured artists, an ensemble, and an open stage, where anyone is allowed to come and play.
Winter Season Events
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library will present three Guitar Society concert at its main branch, 645 NW Monroe Ave. Admission to these one-hour programs is free.
Dec. 16, 3 p.m.: Concert by members of the Corvallis Guitar Society in a holiday-themed program.
Jan. 20, 2018, 3 p.m.: Concert featuring flamenco guitar duo Berto Boyd & Grant Ruiz.
Feb. 17, 2018, 3 p.m.: Concert featuring classical guitarist Jon Sharp and soprano Rebecca Fromherz.
Sharp and Fromherz will also open the Winter Music a la Carte series at the Oregon State University Memorial Union. They will play at noon Friday, Jan. 12.
Corvallis Guitar Society First Monday programs occur the first Monday of each month at Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Corvallis.
For further information, visit the Corvallis Guitar Society’s website.
Jan. 20, 2018, 3 p.m.: Concert featuring flamenco guitar duo Berto Boyd & Grant Ruiz.
Feb. 17, 2018, 3 p.m.: Concert featuring classical guitarist Jon Sharp and soprano Rebecca Fromherz.
Sharp and Fromherz will also open the Winter Music a la Carte series at the Oregon State University Memorial Union. They will play at noon Friday, Jan. 12.
Corvallis Guitar Society First Monday programs occur the first Monday of each month at Odd Fellows Hall in downtown Corvallis.
For further information, visit the Corvallis Guitar Society’s website.
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