Although they hail from opposite ends of the Pacific, Florante Aguilar and Michael Walsh have come together in the San Francisco Bay Area to form The Barbary Coast Guitar Duo. Florante and Michael have been dazzling audiences in the Bay Area and the North coast with their fiery interpretations, crisp ensemble playing, and engaging stage presence.

Instead of attempting the sound of a single entity, they each bring their own unique sound and temperament to the stage, stressing the differences in their musical personalities. The clash-and-blend approach creates the spark that powers a dynamic musical interpretation, be it a hard-driven Spanish fandango or a stately moment of a pavan.

And yet the similarity of their paths abound: they both grew up listening to the sounds of rock guitars from the 60's through the 80's, they met while studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the same teacher (David Tanenbaum), were both selected to compete in the prestigious Walter F. Naumberg competition in 1996, and have both performed Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with various orchestras. Their love of Rodrigo's music led them to present an all-Rodrigo concert series in 2001 to celebrate the centenary of the composer's birth.

In the spirit of togetherness with individuality, Florante and Michael are committed to bringing to the concert stage the very best in guitar music and ensemble playing.

The Barbary Coast Guitar Duo is available for concerts and other events.

Florante Aguilar came to New York from the Philippines on a scholarship to study at the Manhattan School of Music with Grammy Award winner Sharon Isbin. He received his first formal training at the University of the Philippines' College of Music where he obtained a Degree in Performance. In 1985 he went on a six-and-a-half month tour performing in major cities in Italy, Germany, England, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Hong Kong and the U.S.

He became a member of the pioneering Buffalo Guitar Quartet in 1989. The quartet recorded an album entitled New Music for Four Guitars (New World 384-2) to wide critical accaim. Florante has also performed in numerous television programs as well as radio interviews and performances. Florante recently released the CD The Art of Harana (Arkipelago 312ARK01) - an anthology of Spanish-influenced serenades from the Phlippine islands.

Florante received his Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1996 under the tutelage of David Tanenbaum.

Michael Walsh

Michael Walsh was a Lecturer at Humboldt State University where he taught classical guitar, beginning and intermediate guitar classes, and lead the H.S.U. Guitar Ensemble. He also taught younger folk at the Humboldt Music Academy.

A native of Humboldt County, Michael has concertized extensively on the California North Coast and Bay Area as a soloist and with the Humboldt Guitar Quartet. He was a Top Prize winner in both San Jose and Fresno Music Club's Young Artist Award Competitions, and in 1996 was chosen to compete in the prestigious Walter F. Naumberg Foundation Competition in New York. He also won concerto competitions at Humboldt State University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, enabling him to perform as soloist with The Humboldt Symphony and The San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra.

Michael holds a Master's degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Bachelor's degree in music from H.S.U. His teachers have included David Tanenbaum and Donald Henriques. Michael recently performed Joaquin Rodrigo's ever popular 'Concierto de Aranjuez' with The Humboldt Symphony.