Drawing inspiration from Bach to Coltrane and beyond, American Guitarist Leonard Ranallo seeks to blur the line between performer, composer, and improviser.

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Described as “sensational” (WXVU), he is equally comfortable in the concert hall or local club and brings a unique vitality to every performance. His expertise in classical and contemporary electric guitar has led to performances across North America and Europe.

During recent seasons, he has performed at prestigious venues around the world such as Peabody Conservatory, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Canada), Perth Concert Hall (UK) and live on BBC Radio Scotland. Ranallo is an avid chamber musician, performing regularly with Quartet Malamatina, pianist Yolanda Tapia and a host of collaborators from across the world. In 2012, Ranallo made his professional orchestral debut as a concerto soloist performing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

As a composer, he works to incorporate new and expressive sounds and techniques into the guitar vocabulary. His compositions were recently premiered at the 21st Century Guitar Conference. Ranallo is also a strong promoter of new music, collaborating with composers from the US, Canada, and the UK on new works for classical and electric guitar. He has commissioned and premiered works at PLUG Contemporary Music Festival, the Banff Centre, and Yellow Barn with much more on the horizon. These projects have been supported by funds from PRS Foundation, Creative Scotland and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Ranallo is also a committed educator, having taught private and group lessons for over a decade. He was formerly on faculty at the Peabody Preparatory and Swarthmore College, and is a certified Suzuki guitar instructor. He has given workshops and classes at Peabody Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Festival in performance, composition, and improvisation.

Ranallo completed his Master’s Degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland studying under Professor Allan Neave and Matthew McAllister, and his Bachelor of Music at Oberlin Conservatory under Stephen Aron. He is currently on faculty at the MNjcc Suzuki program and maintains a private teaching studio in Toronto.