Benjamin Kunkel

Benjamin Kunkel is an active solo and chamber musician and has given concert appearances across the United States. Recent performances include the Minnesota Guitar Society, Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, Cleveland Composers Guild, Greater Cleveland Flute Society, Heights Arts, and Chamber Music Midwest. He regularly collaborates with acclaimed Minneapolis-based choral group The Mirandola Ensemble. Benjamin earned a Master’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2009, studying under world-renowned guitarist Jason Vieaux. While at the Cleveland Institute of Music he was twice awarded the Rosalia Ablan Memorial Prize in Guitar. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 2007 as a student of Jeffrey Van. Benjamin frequently premieres new works, collaborating with composers to expand the classical guitar’s repertoire and is currently on the faculty of Century College and St. Joseph’s School of Music. Benjamin has the special distinction of being the first native Minnesotan to be a member of Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, which he joined in 2014.