Marcus Kester

Guitar

Marcus Kester has been playing guitar since 2008 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance from University of North Texas. Accomplished as a teacher (teaching privately through MarcusKmusic, Southlake Music Academy, Ampersand Music School, Strongwinds Music, Tarrant County College, Guitar Center lessons, and North Fort Worth Music Academy) Marcus has taught various age groups ranging from elementary age children to adults. Stylistically, he specializes in teaching jazz, rock, and classical genres. Marcus is currently the Director of Guitar and Orchestra studies at International Leadership of Texas at the NRH K-8 and KSHS campuses where his ensemble has performed in multiple venues in the DFW area in addition to teaching AP Theory at the KSHS campus. 

In addition to teaching, Marcus has an extensive performing background. He has been a student of renowned guitarists including Horace Bray, Jackson Eli, Will Douglas, Michael Dailey, Noel Johnston, Daniel Pinilla, Richard McClure, Tom Johnson, Leland Rooney, Stephen Lachbaum, Bryan Burns and Josh Martin and has has performed in masterclasses with guitarists such as Andrew Zohn, Adam Holzman, Emma Rush, Isaac Bustos, and Grisha Goryachev. He has played with the Fort Worth Guitar Orchestra conducted by Michael Dailey—playing in venues such as the Fort Worth and Arlington Libraries as a soloist and in ensembles, received a second-place prize in the ensemble division of the Moutainview Guitar Festival and Competition, and during his time at UNT, he performed works by UNT composers Evan O. Adams (works for guitar quartet) and Austin Poorbaugh (Premiering his work for guitar and flute entitled “Vale” with Hannah Bronson on flute). As a soloist he has performed in venues such as: The Salida SteamPlant Event Center, The Surf Hotel, The Wine Therapist, Voertman Hall, Paschalls Bar, Wine Squared, Denton Public Library, UNT on the Square, Buon Giorno Coffee and more. He is the co-founder of the Savor House Concert series in Denton, TX, featuring the classical guitar talent from University of North Texas. Marcus has played as the steel guitarist in the pit orchestra for Trinity Presbyterians production of “The Song Heard ‘Round the World” composed by Joseph M. Martin (Don Roberts conducting). In addition to his performance of classical and steel guitar styles, he is also an accomplished electric guitarist—playing in Those Cats, jazz duo with Cassandra Berry on vocals, lead guitarist for McKinney Presbyterian and stand in at Cross Church Denton.