Your Instructors... |
Richard Miller Founder, (guitar & surf instructor) Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to an American father and Brazilian mother, Richard Miller’s recent credits include: a grammy nomination (Best Latin Jazz Album) for the recording "Virtual Birdland" with Arturo O'Farril, Paquito D' Rivera, and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra; a special performance for Pope Francis; a White House performance for President Obama; a residency at Club Bonafide in New York City, a cross-country solo tour entitled “A Rhythmic History of Brazilian Music,” and music director for the premiere of Olivério, A Brazilian Twist at the Kennedy Center and for its production in Los Angeles in 2019. With a Master’s in guitar and a Ph. D. in music theory, Richard is a dedicated educator, with 25+ years of teaching experience (including most recently teaching for eight years at Columbia University). Richard directed the education programs for the Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) in NYC and since moving to Southern California is writing their Afro Latin Jazz Curriculum for Higher Education. Richard’s publications include the book "The Guitar in the Brazilian Choro" and the CD It’s Time. He is currently working on the Afro Latin Jazz Curriculum for Higher Education, commissioned by the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. A long-time practitioner of yoga and surfing, Richard created Balanced Guitar, a guitar, yoga, surfing retreat that takes place in Costa Rica (www.balancedguitar.com). Richard is now based out of San Diego CA. |
Freddie Bryant
(guitar & tai chi instructor) 
Freddie Bryant received a Master’s degree in classical guitar from the Yale School of Music and is in demand in the New York jazz and Brazilian scenes, where he has worked with Elaine Elias, Tom Harrell and many others. He currently is a member of Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet, the Mingus Orchestra and leads his own groups, Trio del Sol and Kaleidoscope. Bryant has seven CDs as a leader: Dreamscape: Solo, Duo, Trio featuring Chris Potter and Scott Colley (GJKSounds), Live Grooves…Epic Tales with his band Kaleidoscope (HiPNOTIC records) Trio del Sol (Twinz Records); Brazilian Rosewood, Boogaloo Brasileiro, Live at Smoke (Fresh Sound Records); and Take Your Dance into Battle (Jazz City Spirit). He has toured 50 countries and collaborated with musicians from a variety of backgrounds, including Indian classical musicians, African singers, oud players, traditional Arab groups and klezmer bands. As an impassioned educator, he has taught jazz to all ages around the world. Bryant is on the faculties of Berklee College of Music and Prins Claus Conservatory in Groningen, Holland. His website is www.freddiebryant.com
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Ben Curtis
Managing Director, Balanced Guitar
(yoga & guitar instructor)
Managing Director, Balanced Guitar
(yoga & guitar instructor)
Ben has been a wellness professional and life coach for 7 years. With a passion for creativity, adventure, and healing, he has taken his work all over the globe. Born and raised in the mountains of TN, he grew up with a thirst for spirituality, sports and physical challenge, always looking to push the boundaries of the mind and body. In 1999 he moved to NYC where he attended Tisch School of the Arts at New York University where he received a BFA in Acting. It was there that he was introduced to, and fell in love with, yoga. His passion for learning led him to become a certified practictioner. He still practices & teaches to this day (and on this retreat). In the last 7 years, he has added to his reperatoire being certified and practicing self care and success coach for entrepreneurs. During the pandemic he saw a need for healing on a much deeper level. Out of this, he created a sacred space just for men: The Lions Den, a healing and empowerment program that has changed lives of men, families & leadership on a global scale. He travels as a keynote speaker and wellness consultant for national and international leaders and businesses. His work has been featured with Dell Technologies, People Magazine, Fox News, ToughMudder & much more. As an actor, you may recognize him best as the "Dell Computer Dude" or perhaps a guest star from one of your favorite tv shows (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, OITNB, Law&Order, ect). He and his wife Cassie Fireman, co-founded the now, award-winning indie folk band, Dirty Mae. Clearly he's a creative guy who does what he loves and helps others do the same. When he met Richard Miller in 2016, co-creating this organization and a retreat was (and still is) a true dream fulfilled. To learn more about Ben and see his work: CLICK HERE
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Cassie Fireman
Creative Director, Balanced Guitar (songwriting, voice, movement) 
Cassie is a gifted Thai Body Work practitioner, certified at the Integral Yoga Institute. She’s also an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer. Although she has lived all over the world, she calls California her home. Cassie received her BA in Communications and Dance from the University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA. Her approach to training is holistic and combines strength building exercises, thai massage, functional training, fun and meditation. After meeting her fiance, Ben Curtis (a wellness professional and performer on the same path), they co-founded SOLFUL, a wellness company devoted to creativity, health and full self expression. Together they continue to lead individual and groups all over the world in workshops and retreats, including Balanced Guitar. Sharing a love of performance and music, they also co-founded their band, Dirty Mae, with their writing partner, Robbie Frost. The band blends old school blues with a modern indie-folk edge. DirtyMae.com
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