named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Artists to Watch Concert Series
Annual concert series showcasing emerging and established classical guitarists, featuring solo and ensemble performances in Brooklyn venues.
Latin American Popular & Folk Guitar Workshop
Hands-on educational workshop teaching techniques, rhythms, and improvisation in Latin American guitar styles, led by visiting artists.
LuthierCon
Event showcasing guitars by local luthiers, featuring performances and demonstrations on newly crafted instruments.
Member Feature Concerts
Spotlight events for BKCGS members, including album release concerts and solo performances by affiliated guitarists.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
- Conducts educational workshops and masterclassesOffers hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and educational events on topics such as Latin American folk guitar techniques and guitar performance, often led by visiting artists or ensemble members, to support skill development within the classical guitar community.
- Provides access to guitar instruction resourcesMaintains and shares a directory of classical guitar teachers in Brooklyn, NY, including options for online lessons, to support learning and teacher-student connections in the local community.
-
-
Live Music Performances & Concerts 2 activities
- Hosts community-building events and conferencesOrganizes annual and daylong events such as Luthiercon and Members’ Concerts that bring together guitar builders, performers, and enthusiasts for presentations, Q&A panels, demonstrations, and social gatherings, including meals and free parking at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
- Hosts monthly open mic events for classical guitaristsOrganizes free monthly open mic events for classical guitarists of all ages and skill levels to perform or attend as audience members, featuring ensemble warm-up pieces composed or arranged by members. These events include structured participation through downloadable PDF scores and recorded audio/video documentation.
-
-
Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Facilitates online community interactionOperates a Discord server and other digital platforms to enable members to share music, ask questions, and stay connected between in-person events.
-
-
Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Organizes concerts featuring local and international classical guitaristsProduces and presents concerts showcasing dozens of classical guitar artists from around the world, including performances by ensembles such as Duokado and Duo Encuentro de Dos Mundos, and premieres of works by composers like Leo Brouwer and Jaime Zenamon at venues across New York City.
-
-
Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Provides member benefits and engagement opportunitiesOffers membership perks including discounted or pre-sale concert access, exclusive events like the annual members-only party, opportunities to open for Concert Series performances, inclusion in the member directory, access to performance recordings, social media features, and discounted recording sessions.
-
-
Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Supports musical creation and disseminationFacilitates the creation and sharing of original ensemble warm-up pieces for open mics, including compositions by members such as Paul Sessoms and Matthew Kaplan, and maintains an archive of past performance materials for community use.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$24K
Contributions & grants$14K59%
Program service revenue$8K32%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$18K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$14K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$14K
1 years on record · 2025–2025
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- A4 Collective Partner — Host venue for BKCGS monthly open mic events
- Americas Society Partner — Performance venue where the duo has presented concerts.
- Augustine Foundation Funder — Provides partial support for the 2026 Artists to Watch concert series.
- Augustine Strings Partner — Provides sponsorship support for the BKCGS Open Mic events.
- Brooklyn Arts Council Partner — Administers funding from the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs to support the BKCGS Open Mic events.
- Brooklyn Classical Guitar Partner — Partner organization involved in classical guitar instruction and events.
- Brooklyn Classical Guitar Studio Partner — Collaborates with the Brooklyn Classical Guitar Studio, founded by co-founder Matt Kaplan.
- Brooklyn Classical Guitar Studio Partner — Featured in the teacher directory as a provider of classical guitar lessons.
- Christ Church Cobble Hill Partner — Hosts the monthly BKCGS Open Mic events at its location in Brooklyn, NY.
- Christopher Joseph Partner — Individual teacher listed in the directory offering classical guitar instruction.
- DalMaestro Partner — Featured in the teacher directory as a provider of classical guitar lessons.
- DiMenna Center for Classical Music Partner — Performance venue where the duo has presented concerts.
- Discord Partner — Uses Discord as a platform for community communication and engagement.
- Ernesto Quezada Guitar Foundation Partner — Collaborates with the organization to present a concert featuring Sebastián Molina and Duo Encuentro de Dos Mundos.
- Gohar Vardanyan Partner — Individual teacher listed in the directory offering classical guitar instruction.
- Groupmuse Foundation Funder — Fiscal sponsor of The Brooklyn Classical Guitar Society LLC
- Juan Calderon Partner — Individual teacher listed in the directory offering classical guitar instruction.
- LaBella Partner — Partner organization providing support for classical guitar activities.
- Mannes College – The New School for Music Partner — Alumni institution where the duo members studied and formed the ensemble.
- New York Guitar Seminar Partner — Partner organization collaborating on guitar education and programming.
- Pierre Ferreyra-Mansilla Partner — Individual teacher listed in the directory offering classical guitar instruction.
- RetroFret Vintage Guitars Partner — Exhibitor at LuthierCon 2026, based in Brooklyn
- Sebastián Molina Partner — Individual teacher listed in the directory offering classical guitar instruction.
- Strings By Mail Partner — Partner organization supporting the society's instrument supply or distribution needs.
- Zongzheng Guitar Studio Partner — Exhibitor at LuthierCon 2026, representing Shenzhen, China
- dal Maestro Partner — Partner organization linked through sponsorship or collaboration.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist and Skill Development via Performance and Collaboration Opportunitiesmethodology: artist-development-through-performanceBy providing performance platforms, opening act roles, educational workshops, and luthier-player collaborations, the organization develops artistic skill and professional growth because experiential learning and public engagement deepen musical competence and confidence.
- Community-Driven Engagement Through Shared Musical Practicemethodology: community-driven engagementBy hosting regular in-person and online events centered on performance, education, and collaboration, the organization builds a sustained classical guitar community because shared musical experiences foster belonging, motivation, and peer learning among players of all levels.
- Intergenerational and Inclusive Community Buildingmethodology: inclusive_community_buildingBy creating accessible, non-hierarchical spaces for guitarists of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, the organization strengthens community cohesion because inclusivity fosters mutual learning, reduces barriers to participation, and sustains long-term engagement.
- Preservation and Amplification of Community Contributionsmethodology: community-archivingBy archiving performances and championing new works, the organization reinforces cultural continuity and artistic innovation because documenting and premiering music validates member contributions and inspires future creation.