After almost three decades of performance excellence, Mr. Mentschukoff, classical
guitarist, has evolved into the master musician who understands that his instrument
is the emotional connector between the music and the audience. Inspired by the internationally
renowned Andres Segovia, Mr. lVlentschukoff received private lessons from the great
master by following him from town to town in England When speaking of his student,
Andres Segovia affirmed, "At last someone with soul in his music. " Remembering
how important his connection to a teacher was to his career, Mr. Mentschukoff has
carried on the tradition by teaching music and guitar at the Cleveland Institute
of Music for twenty years and currently at Richland Academy of Arts and John Carroll
University. Witty and sophisticated, this mature musician brings an elegance and
charm to his performances which, with his superior playing, produces an audience
pleasing concert.
Born in Germany to Russian parents and educated in England, Andrej Mentschukoff
moved to the USA in 1971. He taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 20 years
and at the College of Wooster. He now enjoys touring all over the United States
and countries around the World. His busy schedule does however, allow him to pass
on his considerable teaching skill at Kenyon College, Nazarene University, John
Carroll University and at Richland academy in Mansfield. Along with John Holmquist
and Stephan Aron, Andrej was voted, in a survey by Len Weingerber, as one of the
top three teachers in Ohio. Andrej holds an Honors degree in Russian Literature
from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England and studied guitar with Jerzy
Jezewski at Trinity Hall Cambridge University. When he came to the United States
he continued his studies in music composition with Starling Cumberworth and Guido
Santorsala, as well as well as guitar studies and master classes with such illustrious
masters as Alice Artzt and Carlos Barbosa-Lima. In 1972 upon briefly returning to
England, Andre Segovia invited Andrej to follow him on his seven city concert tour
and take private lessons. Andrej 's Career has taken him to playing in shows like
"Man of La Mancha", co-conducting the show "Oliver" and playing guitar concertos
with many orchestras. In 1990 he was invited to do an eight-city tour of the then
Soviet Union on a "City to City" peace exchange where he also appeared on Russian
television to thirty million viewers.