Born in Cheb, Czechoslovakia and now residing in San Diego, George Svoboda studied guitar and history of music at the State Conservatory of Music in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. He received his Bachelors degree in Music at San Diego State University in 1996 and his Masters degree in Music in 1998.
Mr. Svoboda has gained recognition not only as an immaculate and entertaining performer, but also as a composer and arranger of music for solo guitar and small ensembles. His music is rooted in the folk traditions of Eastern Europe and his transcriptions have won him consistent praise from musicians and critics alike. As a co-founder of Benedetti/Svoboda Duo, and member of the well-known Second Avenue Klezmer Ensemble, he has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, and Europe. Mr. Svoboda has performed for President and Mrs. Clinton at the world-renowned Hotel Del Coronado. He has co-written and performed music for the Old Globe's production of Much Ado About Nothing under the direction of Tony-award-winning director Jack O'Brien. He has also performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Ballet, and San Diego Opera.
In his native Czechoslovakia, he taught guitar and music theory in public schools of art and since arriving in the U.S., he has been teaching at San Diego City Schools as an Artist in Residence, guitar instructor at Mesa College and Grossmont College, and as a faculty member at CSU San Marcos and San Diego State University. He also published successful instructional books on guitar technique.
-- MySpace profile