San Francisco-based classical guitarist Stephan Kane brings elegant solo guitar to weddings and events, and guides students to unlock their musical potential through technique rooted in classical guitar tradition. His playing balances precision with lyricism, honed over more than 400 performances, including celebrity weddings, private concerts, corporate engagements, and formal recitals, across the San Francisco Bay Area, Hawaii, Oregon, New York, Spain, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, and Canada. He has performed for global brands including Ferrari, Miele, and Hilton Hotels, and appeared as a concert soloist with orchestra in works by Rodrigo and Castelnuovo-Tedesco throughout Europe and North America.

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Stephan’s collaborative work includes touring Iceland’s Westfjords with the Sforzato Guitar Quartet, performing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival with the Ashland Guitar Quartet, and accompanying classical and pop vocalists in recital settings. He has performed with Opera on Tap in Berlin and was featured on This is Classical Guitar with the Kailua Guitar Duo. Stephan has also served as principal guitarist in local theatrical productions, including West Side Story.

 

A passionate educator, Stephan works with both children and adults, from absolute beginners to advanced players. He offers private and group guitar classes in Berlin and online, combining a clear, structured approach with supportive, individualized guidance that helps each student grow confidently and musically. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he has coached performers preparing for auditions, conservatory exams, and professional concerts. Stephan trained in guitar pedagogy at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he served for two years as a teaching assistant, mentoring peers and leading performance classes. Earlier in his career, he taught students as young as three using the Suzuki Method at the California Conservatory of Music, gaining a broad and practical understanding of how students learn at every stage of development.

 

Stephan holds a Master of Music and a Professional Studies Diploma in Classical Guitar Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he graduated summa cum laude under the guidance of David Tanenbaum, Marc Teicholz, and John Dearman. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Music Business from Southern Oregon University, where he studied with David Rogers, and has performed in masterclasses with Jason Vieaux, Ana Vidovic, Zoran Dukic, Marcin Dylla, Pavel Steidl, Ben Verdery, and Scott Tennant.

 

In 2024, while living in Granada, Spain, Stephan trained with a master luthier and built a Hauser replica guitar from raw materials. The hands-on process deepened his understanding of how every facet of guitar construction affects playability and tone.