Steven Walter is one of a few individuals in the world to be widely known as both a classical guitar builder and performing artist. As a guitar builder, he has made over 170 instruments played by professionals, collectors, and students throughout the country.
As a performer, Walter has been a major prizewinner in the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Solo Competition, and was invited to be a guest soloist for the inaugural concert of the San Pedro Sula Filarmónica in Honduras. In the U.S., he often performs concerts with his wife, mezzo-soprano Kristen Walter, and continues to perform solo recitals and as an orchestral soloist. Classical Voice North Carolina has described Walter's playing as "performance with cool intellect and a virtuoso technique ... and a sound so appealing you have no idea how hard it is to create."
Walter has done extensive research on the composer Benjamin Britten, culminating in a treatise on Britten's Nocturnal for solo guitar and its relationship to the composer's other works about night, sleep, dreams and death. Currently he records for the Sonari record label, which carries his debut recording entitled "Steven Walter – Guitar," containing solo works by Turina, Sor, Assad, Bach, Brouwer and Rodrigo. An enthusiastic and devoted teacher, Walter has been at Furman since 1997, teaching guitar and music history.
Training
Bruce Holzman
Florida State University