Since the late 90's GARY LUCAS has conducted Guitar Masterclasses, given lectures, and conducted seminars at academies worldwide: including Yale University (his alma mater), Columbia University, the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, New York University, the Amsterdam Musik Conservatorium, Rogers State University, The New School as part of their Eyes of the Masters series, and the Henri Dutilleux Conservatoire in Paris, Rutgers University School of Music, McGill University Schulich School of Music, and Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin in Mexico City.

Topics include the craft of songwriting, focusing on the composition of his famous song "Grace" with Jeff Buckley, fingerpicking, lyrics, open tunings, slide guitar techniques, and Gary's 30 years of experiences working and collaborating with many legendary artists.

View a clip of Gary performing at his Masterclass at the Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin in Mexico City 12/8/15.

Read letters below from US Ambassador to Mexico Earl Anthony Wayne re: Gary's recent solo concert at the Benjamin Franklin Library in Mexico City, and from U.S. Consul General in Milan Ambassador Philip T. Reeker in appreciation of Gary's concert for invited artists, writers and journalists at the Ambassador's residence in Milan (click to enlarge).

Gary has recently given a Masterclass and seminars at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam—topics covered included extended guitar technique, fingerpicking, the craft of songwriting with an emphasis on "Grace" and "Mojo Pin", and Gary's adventures in the music biz.

Quotable quotes about Gary Lucas:

"You're a phenomenal guitarist" —Bruce Springsteen

"Man can play guitar!" —Captain Beefheart

"I could listen to you play for hours, Gary...beyond cool" —Lou Reed

"An incredible guitarist" —Nick Cave

"Man, you were really wailing!" —Leonard Bernstein

"One of the best and most original guitarists in America...a modern guitar miracle" —Rolling Stone

"The Thinking Man's Guitar Hero…an A-list musician" —The New Yorker

"One of the 100 Greatest Living Guitarists" —Classic Rock Magazine

"One of the world's greatest guitarists" —HITS Magazine

"Legendary left-field guitarist" —The Guardian

"Gary Lucas plays guitar like Salvador Dali paints...guitarist with a global beat." —New York Times

"Can there be another musician as adventurous, ingenious, accomplished, diverse, intrepid, hard-working and well-travelled as Gary Lucas?" —Pete Frame, music journalist, founder/editor of legendary UK music magazine ZigZag, and author/creator of 5 volumes of "Rock Family Trees"

From Prof. Chris Opperman on Gary's Masterclass for his students at Rutgers School of Music 4/8/14:

Gary Lucas came to visit my Business of Music Class at Mason Gross School of the Arts/Rutgers University for the second time in April, 2014, and it was a great educational experience for everyone involved. His vast and eclectic real world experiences in the music industry were of great benefit to my students, and proved to be very eye-opening for most of them, who were inspired by the visit. Probably the best lesson that the students took with them was that a creative career, not unlike life, is a series of peaks and valleys, as opposed to a steady upward line. Also, I'd be remiss not to mention that Gary can play the holy hell out of his guitar, even as early as 9am! I definitely recommend Gary as a guest lecturer/performer as I believe that all Music majors could benefit from his stories in his musical life.

Quotes from students:

"What showed through every story was his passion for music as an art and as a means of expression."

"If I were to take a single message from the whole presentation, it would be that if you have a dream, follow it."

"His guitar playing and compositions were unlike anything else I have heard before. He is truly unique."

"He has some great ideas about life and music, and I really benefitted from hearing his story about how he became who he is today."

Christopher D. Opperman, M.A.
Professor - Music Composition/Music Business
Mason Gross School of the Arts
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ

Letter of Recommendation from Jack Pisters, Amsterdam Musik Conservatorium:

Gary Lucas has been visiting our College for Higher Education in Music several times during the past 5 years as a guest teacher in residence.

He's been teaching guitar masterclasses and lecturing on several subjects such as the craft of songwriting, composition, alternative tunings, rhythm and the business side of his outstanding musical career.

The first class information about his musical concepts and skills that he imparts to the students and the insights into his numerous collaborations with many musical icons make him a very welcome guest at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.

This school is one of the most outstanding Music Conservatories of Europe, and offers a Bachelor and a Master's Degree in the art of Music.

Jack Pisters
Head of Popular Music Department
Amsterdam Musik Conservatorium
Jan. 3, 2013

Letter from Professor Hugh Foley of Rogers State University Oklahoma re Gary Lucas:

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is a summation of Gary Lucas’s visit to our campus. In essence, Mr. Lucas’s performance and academic presentation was exemplary on all levels, to include high artistic, academic, and presentation standards.

As chair of our endowed speaker’s series, I am tasked each year with finding a person who can bring to our campus something thought-provoking, entertaining, or cultural relevant. With Gary Lucas, we enjoyed all three.

Before his presentation of music for a showing of the historical film, The Golem, Mr. Lucas provided an in-depth background of the film and its subject matter for the audience of students, community members, and faculty. After the dynamic and otherworldly performance, Mr. Lucas answered challenging questions from the audience with skill, knowledge, and sensitivity to those who do not know the whole history of cinema.

After the mid-day presentation and performance, Mr. Lucas attended an introductory cinema class as part of his fee, and discussed the composition of music for film, a subject he knows a lot about. The students were very interested in his comments and many of them indicated how much they enjoyed the chance to hear him speak and play a little more.

Finally, we also contracted Mr. Lucas to perform his solo show with three guitars in our auditorium. Many people from the community of Claremore, as well as neighboring Tulsa, and even Arkansas, came to hear him play. During the one-hour performance, he enthralled the audience with electric and acoustic guitar work that spans not only the American blues and rock traditions, but also incorporates elements of European art music and Chinese popular music.

Without any hesitation whatsoever, I would highly recommend Gary Lucas for a trip to any campus where there is a strong interest in cinema, music composition or performance, or any kind of popular culture studies program. Even if those interests are not present, Mr. Lucas offers many different approaches to his art that can make his visit a one-of-a-kind event that people will remember and keep talking about. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.

Hugh Foley, Ph.D.
Professor of Cinema
Department of Fine Arts
Rogers State University
Oklahoma