Mundi Live @ Glendale

Classical Guitar duo David Norton and Cindy Spell perform selections from their new CD, and other popular pieces.

David Norton describes himself as “a folk guitarist, who happens to play the folk music of five centuries.” A native of California, Mr. Norton’s early studies on the instrument were with Thomas Runyan, in L.A. His formal instruction was completed at California State University at Northridge under the combined direction of Ronald Purcell and Richard Stover. Along the way, Mr. Norton has performed in master-classes taught by many of the world’s leading classical guitarists and lutenists. He has had pieces written for him by Stepan Rak, James Whitaker, Michael Karmon, Jeremiah Lawson, Yves Carlin, and Angelo Gilardino. In addition to performing, he has long shown an interest in the history of the classical guitar and in researching forgotten and neglected pieces of guitar music; these musicological efforts have been favorably recognized by several international authorities. In early 2002, Mr. Norton was asked to lead a project involving cataloging a newly-found collection of over 125 manuscripts written by or for Andrés Segovia, which included the hitherto-unknown original masters for several major concert works written in the mid-20th century. An active member of the acoustic music community, Mr. Norton has served on the Boards of Directors for the American Guitar Society, the Guitar Foundation of America, the Utah Classical Guitar Society, and the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association. He was Program Director of the GFA 1990 International Festival in Pasadena, CA, and for many years was a New Publications reviewer for GFA’s Soundboard magazine.

Cindy Spell grew up in the mountains of western North Carolina, where she developed a love of music in the studios of Jerry Young and William “Mac” Nelson. Ms. Spell earned both the bachelor and master of music degrees from East Carolina University under the direction of Dr. Elliot Frank. She has served as guitar instructor at several schools, including Barton College, Pitt Community College, Coastal Carolina Community College, and the Music Academy of Eastern Carolina. In addition to teaching, Ms. Spell enjoys performing and collaborating with other musicians whenever possible. She has appeared as guest soloist with the Wilson Symphony Orchestra, PCC Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony of Hope. Recently, she joined the Salt Lake Symphony for an arrangement of Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5. Ms. Spell currently resides in Salt Lake City, where she serves on the Board of Directors and as Development Coordinator for the Utah Classical Guitar Society. She has been Administrative Director for the East Carolina University Summer Guitar Festival since 2003. 

Mr. Norton and Ms. Spell perform regularly in the Salt Lake City area and recently released their debut recording, Avenues, an eclectic set of solos and duos from Elizabethan England to the 21st century.