Classical Guitar Music in Concert

Damian Goggans

The Westshore Arts Council (WAC) is extremely pleased to introduce the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society to the Westshore Communities for an afternoon of musical entertainment and enlightenment.

Cleveland Classical Guitar Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to its mission to Teach, Inspire, Connect. CCGS’s Education Program provides life-changing experiences for youth and teachers alike in schools and community centers in the City of Cleveland. Students perform at Cleveland’s most prestigious venues and appear on local and national news.

The performers include an alumnus and a current student of the program.

Violet Cogar

Damian Goggans started playing guitar in 2016 at Citizens Leadership Academy in an after-school guitar club. Since then, his accomplishments include being on national television and radio, performing his own composition at Severance Hall, and touring New York and Spain with the US Guitar Orchestra. Damian is an inaugural member and now a graduate of the Musical Pathway Fellowship at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Damian is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance at Oberlin Conservatory with a minor in African American Music.

Violet Cogar is CCGS’s 2023 High School Student of the Year. Violet has been playing the guitar since September 2021, first in a class and then through private lessons. She is a freshman at Lutheran West High School. She plays guitar for her worship band at school as well as being an active member of her youth group at church. Violet has performed in numerous concerts and in addition to guitar, she plays cello and ukelele, but guitar is her favorite. Violet takes lessons through CCGS with Craig Slagh.

You can learn more about the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society and hear these talented young people perform in concert on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, OH. This free program is open to the public.