John Culwell, D.M.A.

John (“Johnny”) Culwell is a classical guitarist, educator, and artistic director whose work bridges performance, scholarship, and community engagement. Known for his expressive sound and stylistic versatility, he performs regularly as a soloist and collaborator throughout the Southeast. His performances have ranged from faculty and guest recitals to chamber concerts and orchestral appearances, including winning the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2021.

Dr. Culwell serves as Adjunct Instructor of Guitar at Anderson University, where he teaches applied lessons, directs the AU Guitar Ensemble, and leads class guitar. In addition to his university work, Dr. Culwell is the Founder and Director of the Anderson Guitar Society, which hosts concerts, masterclasses, and monthly performance classes that bring together students, teachers, and professional artists on AU’s campus.

A dedicated researcher and pedagogue, Dr. Culwell earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Guitar Performance with a minor in Music Theory from the University of Georgia, studying with Dr. Daniel Bolshoy. His doctoral dissertation, “A New Approach to Reading for the Classical Guitar: The Transformation of Aural Skills Pedagogy to Instrumental Sight-Reading Development in Undergraduate Students,” presents an innovative framework that connects aural skills and instrumental training to enhance musicianship in guitarists.

An advocate for new music and collaboration, he has premiered works by living composers and frequently performs with colleagues on voice, violin, piano, and chamber concerts. His past performances include appearances with the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium, the Atlanta Guitar Guild, and chamber projects at New York Live Arts Theatre and on international tours in Spain.

Beyond classical performance, Dr. Culwell’s musical experience extends to professional theatre, where he has appeared as a guitarist, singer, and actor in productions across Greenville, South Carolina.

He completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts studying under Joseph Pecoraro. There, he received the William R. Kenan Excellence Scholarship, the most prestigious 4-year scholarship providing full tution, room, and board. His artistry reflects both technical mastery and an enduring commitment to expanding the reach of the classical guitar through performance, education, and community engagement.