Sten Isachsen

Sten Isachsen

Mandolin, Guitar, Dobro

Sten Isachsen has appeared as concerto soloist with the University at Albany Orchestra and the Ithaca College String Quartet. Possessing a Bachelor and Master of Music in Guitar Performance from Ithaca College, he has studied guitar with Frederick Hand, Ed Flower and Joel Brown, and has participated in master classes with Manuel Barrueco, Sergio and Odair Assad and Benjamin Verdery.

Isachsen is a founding member of the Finger Lakes Guitar Quartet, which has commissioned works from composer Anthony Holland. He is also a member of the Musicians of Ma’alwyck, a string trio in residence at the Schuyler Mansion, the Pruyn House and Schenectady County Community College. Musicians of Ma’alwyck have steadily gained acclaim in the Classical world of music and the addition of classical guitar makes them an unusual and in-demand string trio.

In addition to his work as a classical guitarist, Isachsen is endorsed by Martin Guitars and performs regularly on steel string and electric guitars, as well as mandolin, providing support for artists like living legend Charlie Louvin, Nashville recording artist Bob Bates, Country Music Hall of Famers The Haggar Twins and many Upstate New York musicians like MotherJudge, Jim Gaudet and Michael Eck.

A dedicated teacher, Isachsen is member of the faculty at Schenectady County Community College – which oversees an outstanding undergraduate music studies program – and the State University of New York at Albany. He maintains a private studio in Delmar, NY.

In addition to his influence on the Capital District guitar studies community, Isachsen is owner, engineer and producer at Bender Studios, a recording facility in Delmar, NY. Clients include Gibson-endorsed mandolin player Skip Gorman and Hammer Guitar–endorsed jazz guitarist George Muscatello.