About Mitch

Born in California but raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Mitch Weverka began playing guitar at age seven, receiving most of his instruction from Bolivian guitarist/artist Oscar Valdez. He holds performance degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music (B.M.) and Southern Methodist University (Artist Certificate). He also studied in Cremona, Italy where he lived for three years in his early twenties. His principal teachers were Robert Guthrie, Giovanni Puddu, Matteo Mela and John Holmquist. While in Italy, he received a Diploma of Merit from the Academia Chigiana in Siena and a diploma from the Academia Chitaristica al Teatro Cingio in Parma. Additionally he participated in many master classes with a long list of touring and recording artists.


In his twenties, he was a finalist at a number of international contests, winning top prize at four: the 6th Festival Internazionale della Chitarra (2001 Siracusa, Italy), The East Carolina Guitar Competition (2001 Greenville, North Carolina), The Oswald Rantucci Guitar Competition (1997 Buffalo, New York), and the Rovere d'Oro International Music Competition (1997 San Bartolomeo, Italy). Since that time he has enjoyed an active performance career as a recitalist having performed throughout the United States and Italy.


Mitch performs music from every historical period, from renaissance to avant-garde. Recent performnces include late 20th century music by Mexican-born composers, all-Bach recitals, programs of 19th century Italian guitar music, and South American music . In 2006 he produced the CD recording "Mission-Statement", a compilation recording of members of the Fort Worth Guitar Guild. He has been broadcast live on NPR affiliates in Nashville and Houston. He is also a frequent guest at guitar festivals throughout the southern U.S. and Italy.


Mitch has enjoyed considerable success as an instructor. He studied developmental and cognitive psychology at Texas Christian University through the Foundations of Education program directed by Sherrie Reynolds Ph.D.. Many of his students have won prizes in numerous competitions. Currently, he maintains a private studio at Orchestra Hall on the south side of Fort Worth.


Being very active in the development and promotion of guitar activity in the North Texas area, in 1998 he founded the Fort Worth Guitar Guild, an organization in which he still takes an active role. In 1999, through the Guitar Guild, he initiated the Library Recital Series at the Southwest Regional Library, which has provided a formal yet nurturing environment for young emerging guitarists in North Texas. In 2004/05 he served as artistic and executive director of the Dallas Classic Guitar Society. Currently, he coordinates the Guitar Guild Music Festival.