John McClellan and Kirk Hanser began performing together in 1996 while working to produce an international conference and competition in St. Louis, MO. Very quickly, Hanser and McClellan became known for their choice of entertaining musical programs, their technical prowess, and their ability to connect with audiences. Over the years, they have become recognized by critics and audiences alike as one of the most enjoyable and highly respected American chamber music groups.   The Hanser-McClellan Duo have been heard on several CDs, with their most recent feature recording, La Vida Breve, receiving much critical and audience acclaim. Classical Guitar Magazine (U.K.) declared their performance on this recording as exhibiting “…sheer swagger and verve.”  Most recently, John and Kirk recorded and produced tracks with Vince Gill, Tommy Emmanuel, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits), the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and many, many others to create a CD celebrating the musical life of their dear friend, Chet Atkins, on the CD release Slightly Above Below Average.  In 2015, Hanser and McClellan were offered a residency as guest professors for the guitar department at the prestigious Paris Conservatory, becoming the first duo from outside of the conservatory’s own walls to be given such an honor. Their educational work in America includes numerous camps, workshops, and master classes, as well as working with kids at the K-12 levels in the U.S. sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.  Over the years, the Hanser-McClellan Guitar Duo has performed for such musically diverse events as the Sheldon Classics Series in St. Louis, MO, the Crypte Ararat (Paris, FR), the Wilhelmkirche (Bad Nauheim, Germany), the Kansas City Guitar Society, the South Bay Guitar Society (San Francisco), the Great Artist Series in Austin, TX, the International Guitar Foundation of America Conference (1999 & again in 2005) and are standing, annual “special guests” at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Festival.

Endorsements:

The HMGD performs and records using D’Addario Pro Arte strings, Hand-made classic guitars by luthier Keith Adams (Bonnie, IL), and Steel-string acoustic guitars courtesy of Gibson Guitars