John Paul Shields is a performer, composer, and instructor with over 14 years of professional experience. A graduate of the University of Washington classical guitar program, John Paul has performed worldwide in a colorful array of settings, from public festivals in Peru to Seattle’s esteemed Benaroya hall to live on radio and television. A passionate musician dedicated to the lifelong pursuit of learning, John Paul plays multiple genres of music with ensembles of all types and sizes, including classical chamber music, concertos, contemporary jazz, garage rock, and even West African pop.
Most recently, John Paul’s career moved him to Peru, where, in addition to his performances and teaching, he studied the rich intricacies of Andean folk music. John Paul worked with several renown musicians in Peru, including Frank Collazos, Luis Salazar Mejía and the legendary Ayacuchan guitarist Raúl García Zárate, who was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people in Latin American culture.
In addition to his Peruvian folk music studies and classical repertoire, Mr. Shields also composes for classical and contemporary solo guitar, including music for commercials, videos, and art exhibits. He is currently assembling and recording his compositions into an up-coming album, while teaching at the Holy Names Music Center in Spokane, WA.