We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Scott Plato a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Scott, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

As Covid increased in 2020 more classical guitar concerts began to be presented in online formats. Now in the 2022-2023 concert season I am getting more requests to perform in a live venue on various concert series.

Scott, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began performing as a rock guitarist at age 16. At that same age, I also began studying classical guitar with my soon to be college professor John Sutherland. I received his Bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Georgia State University under the instruction of John Sutherland, a protege of Andres Segovia. I then completed a Master of Music degree from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.
My book on guitar improvisation, “Creating Guitar Solos,” is now being sold worldwide on www.lulu.com. Previous collaborations have included performances with members of the Atlanta Symphony and the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Scott currently maintains a busy schedule as a performer and teacher in the Atlanta area. I am currently Head of Guitar Studies at Gordon State College and Georgia Highlands College. I also teach all ages and styles of guitar to private students.
I am endorsed by Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars, Peterson Tuners, Boveda (Guitar Humidifiers), and KNA Pickups. I am also endorsed by and exclusively perform with Hannabach strings. Hannabach strings are handmade in Egglkofen, Germany.

I was also a former voting member for the Grammy Awards.
In 2017 I released a solo CD “Sacred Music on Solo Guitar”. I currently perform and record in a Duo Catanza, www.duocatanza.com

I have performed internationally on concert series in locations from the USA to the UK. My Guitar Duo has followers around the globe. Including, but not limited to, Italy, Russia, Germany, France, Canada, Iceland, Belgium, Japan, Romania, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When Covid hit in 2020 music performance and teaching suffered greatly. I was able to create a studio for online music instruction and I began performing on online concert series. I was actually able to meet people from around the globe as a result. I had students in countries such as India and I performed on concert series in the UK. Overall, it turned out to be a positive experience.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

My current guitar duo partner was actually a former student. I taught him when he was a young rock guitarist. We lost touch for many years after, until reuniting to form the guitar duo. During that time he went on to complete a bachelors degree in classical guitar and is currently a church music director.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.guitarplato.com www.duocatanza.com
• Other: www.vimeo.com/duocatanza