BIOGRAPHY
ABOUT DOUGLAS NIEDT
"One of the most outstanding musicians in the world today" is how one critic
described the sensational American guitarist, Douglas Niedt (pronounced
"neet"). Douglas’ listeners around the world know him best for his love of
fresh, diverse, and emotionally engaging repertoire performed with incredible
energy, technical perfection, and most of all, emotional depth.

REPERTOIRE and PRESENTATION
His concerts include music not only from the traditional classical repertoire,
but also film music, jazz, Celtic, boogie, and American theater music.

Besides his unique repertoire, which includes his one-of-a-kind arrangements
for classic guitar of music by Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Secret
Garden, Tommy Emmanuel, and Richard Rodgers, Douglas has a singular
style of presentation for a classically trained artist. During the course of the
concert, in an informal manner, he often includes commentary, information,
and anecdotes about the guitar, its music, and himself. His striking ability to
communicate with his audience makes his performances seem more like an
intimate gathering of friends than a recital for strangers.

BACKGROUND
A native of St. Louis, Mr. Niedt began his study of the guitar at the age of
seven with his father, an amateur guitarist. Douglas’ interest in music was
stimulated by his father’s encouragement to listen to and explore the entire
spectrum of music. By the time he was fourteen, he had received first prize
awards in national competitions sponsored by the American Guild of Music.
International recognition and acclaim followed his first prize sweep at the age
of seventeen of the Chet Atkins International Guitar Competition in which
three hundred guitarists were entered from around the world. Since then,
Douglas has polished his playing to gem-like brilliance through studies at the
Juilliard School, the Segovia Master Classes in Spain, and with masters Pepe
Romero, Narciso Yepes, Christopher Parkening, Jorge Morel, and Oscar
Ghiglia.

ACCLAIM
At the age of twenty-one Douglas made his New York debut in Carnegie
Recital Hall. This successful debut demanded three return appearances in
the same hall the following years. He has since appeared before enthusiastic
audiences across the country prompting one critic to write, “Mr. Niedt is not
only a brilliant master of his instrument, but a performer of great sensitivity;
the wealth of sound and the dynamic finesse which he elicits from the guitar
promise to make him a worthy companion of the few great guitarists such as
Andres Segovia and Julian Bream.”

CDs, DVD, BOOKS
His fabulous CD, Pure Magic, received a rave review in England’s Classical
Guitar Magazine and led to his appearance on the cover of Fingerstyle Guitar
magazine the following year. His Christmas CD is titled In Heavenly Peace.
His performance video, Douglas Niedt--American Virtuoso, was released by
Bransong Music. Many of his arrangements are published in two music folios,
Virtuoso Visions and Classic Guitar Artistry.

His new book is titled How to Make a Million Dollars Playing the Guitar. It is a
no-nonsense guitarist's guide to making a good living in the music business
while also achieving personal fulfillment.

All items are available for purchase on Douglas’ official website, www.
DouglasNiedt.com.

TEACHING
Recognized for his excellence in teaching, he is head of the guitar program of
the Conservatory of Music and Dance, University of Missouri at Kansas City.