American guitarist Chad Ibison has captivated audiences across North America and abroad through his imaginative musical interpretations and charismatic stage presence. Hailed through critical acclaim, Chad has been described as “really versatile in terms of contrast and range of expression” (Classical Guitar Canada) with “masterful phrasing combined with technical precision” (ClassicalGuitar.org). Composer Gregory Sullivan Isaacs perhaps best describes Ibison’s impact as a performer in his review; “Chad gave an incendiary performance. His approach was, at the same time, aggressive and intimate. He melded with the instrument, and the result was brash, expressive, and technically secure.”

Along with his critical acclaim, Ibison has accumulated ten first place awards among his eighteen top prize wins at international guitar competitions. Chad has distinguished himself in some of the world’s most prestigious competitions: The Guitar Foundation of America, JoAnn Falletta Concerto Competition and Boston’s New England Conservatory Guitarfest. As a result of the competition wins, Chad is sought after as a concert artist throughout America. He participates regularly at many guitar festivals as a performer, teacher, and judge.

Chad now resides in Austin, Texas where he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with master and doctoral degrees in guitar performance while serving as Adam Holzman’s teaching assistant. He was awarded two prestigious fellowships during his graduate studies. For his final year as a doctoral candidate, Chad created a new critical edition of selections from the 24 Caprichos de Goya, op. 195 by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Chad began his formal studies with Dr. Andrew Zohn at the Schwob School of Music, Columbus State University where he completed his bachelor’s degree with honors.

As a dedicated educator, Chad began teaching at a young age which eventually led to the formation of his thriving company, CMI Music Lessons in Houston, Texas, where Chad taught on average sixty students per week for over fifteen years. In addition, Chad taught at The University of Texas at Austin, Assistant Professor at Texas Lutheran University, Columbus Conservatory, Orpheus Music Academy, St. Elmo Elementary, Covington Fine Arts Academy, Lamar Fine Arts Academy, McCallum High School and in masterclasses across the United States and abroad. Currently, Chad Ibison is a professor for Austin Community College and teaches at his studio in Hyde Park.

Chad is a member of the Ibison Guitar Duo, where he and Dr. Janet Grohovac perform throughout the US and abroad. Recent concerts include the Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Taxco, Mexico, St. Barnabas’ concert series in Canada, Ticino Musica’s concerts in Lugano, Switzerland, Greater-Houston Guitar Guild concert series, Austin Classical Guitar’s Cactus Café series, and Austin’s radio stations KMFA and KVRX. The duo also collaborated as clinicians for Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project in partnership with Austin Classical Guitar.

Chad is also member of the Austin Guitar Quartet. In 2019, the quartet performed and recorded Nico Muhly’s “How Little You Are” with the Texas Guitar Quartet, and the Grammy Award Winning groups, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Conspirare under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson. The 2020 album, “The Singing Guitar” on the Delos label, reached #15 on the Billboard traditional classical charts in its first week and was reviewed favorably by BBC 3 Radio. In 2022, the album was nominated for a Grammy.