Shawn Persinger

Shawn Persinger – also known as Prester John – has taught thousands of music students and directed countless ensembles and group workshops. He is currently an adjunct lecturer at The University of New Haven. He has also served on the faculty at Guitar Intensives in Bar Harbor, ME and The National Guitar Workshop in Nashville, TN. Persinger has also written for "Guitar Player", "Premier Guitar", and Taylor Guitars’ "Wood&Steel". His books include "The 50 Greatest Guitar Books", "Nobody Knows I'm Famous", and the children’s book "I’m An Alligator. I’m A Crocodile".

As a composer and performer, Persinger demonstrates an unlimited musical sensibility and skill, playing his idiosyncratic solo acoustic guitar music, performing with the inventive avant-rock bands Boud Deun and The Luck Pushers, and composing pieces for the “concert” music world. His playing, compositions, and live performances have earned acclaim from "Rolling Stone", "Jazziz", "The Village Voice", "Gramophone", and many other respected publications.

Persinger began his career in 1991 after graduating from Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. As a composer and performer he has had his music performed innumerable times, in varying ensembles, on five continents, in 36 countries, and countless cities. Persinger has also been featured, reviewed, or interviewed in "Guitar Player", "Guitar Shop", and "Guitar World". In 2004, "Acoustic Guitar" named his solo recording "The Art of Modern Primitive Guitar" one of the best CDs of the year.