Kasey Carmody

About 

Kasey Carmody is one of Las Vegas’s premier classical guitarists and guitar instructors. He has been an active performer in the Las Vegas area and throughout the southwest for the past 15 years with regular performances around Las Vegas at such places as the Bellagio, The Park, Wynn, Paris, HardRock, MGM, Planet Hollywood, Ceasars, Aria casinos, JW Marriott, Tivoli Village, Lake Las Vegas, and the Smith Center. Although classical guitar is his forte, Carmody is also well versed in acoustic finger-style, and electric styles. In May of 2017, Carmody performed lead guitar chair for the hit broadway musical “Matilda”  covering all classical, steel string, and electric guitar parts for its week long engagement at Reynolds Hall at the Smith Center. Always looking for eclectic and challenging musical collaborations, Carmody joined forces with grammy winning classical composer and frontman of the rock supergroup of his namesake, CF Kip Winger, to give the second ever performance of his composition for guitar and orchestra, Windrunner, with the College of Southern Nevada Orchestra in 2016, with Kip in attendance. 

• LIFE UPDATE * - After a brief 2 year stint away from music in lieu of the Covid 19 aftermath to explore other career interests and a move to the great state of Texas, Kasey, in 2023 is now back in full and renewed vigor for playing and teaching that only a break and perspective can provide.

IM IN LEXINGTON, KY NOW….2024!

TEACHING

Carmody is extremely passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience through teaching. He has taught on the faculty of UNLV, College of Southern Nevada, Brill Music Academy, Nevada School for the Arts, Southern Nevada Homeschool Performing Arts, Nevada Music Academy, and Kessler and Son’s Music during his 21 years in Las Vegas. Carmody also maintained a thriving studio of private and group students at his home studio in Centennial Hills. He was regularly asked to adjudicate guitar competitions for CCSD and Las Vegas Academy.

*In 2022 after relocating to Texas he currently teachs full time at Edelwiess Music School in Plano, and is available for in-home lessons in the DFW area.

*As of May, 2024 Kasey has returned to childhood home of Lexington, Ky to be closer to family and begin a new life chapter. He is now currently accepting students at Studio 88 one Lexington’s top music instruction studios, and excited to be an active member the Central Kentucky music scene.

EDUCATION

Carmody earned a bachelors degree in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of New Mexico, under the tutelage of Andres Segovia protege and National Picking Champion, Michael Chapdelaine. Upon moving to Las Vegas in the year 2000 he attended UNLV and earned a Masters of Music in Classical Guitar Performance studying under world renown concert artist, Ricardo Cobo. Since his teenage years he has also either studied privately or performed in masterclasses with many of the worlds leading guitarists and instructors including: Christopher Parkening, Angel Romero, Dusan Bogdanovic, Eduardo Fernandez, Carlos Barbosa Lima, Roland Dyens, David Leisner, Adam Holzman, and Bruce Holzman. His electric and jazz studies have been with guitarists Lewis Winn, Michael Anthony, and Joe Lano. 

COLLABORATION

Musical collaborations that stretch the boundaries of his classical guitar foundation have always been and continue to be of paramount interest to Carmody. He has been a member of many diverse musical groups such as “The Hot Club of Las Vegas” while performing and recording Las Vegas’s premier gypsy jazz, performing and recording country music with the sister duo Jill and Julia, his own guitar duo with jazz guitarist Bernard Buswell, and a brief stint with the country band Raven Hill. Carmody commonly performs classical chamber music with other instruments, with one highlight in 2008 with Polish accordion virtuoso, Lidia Kaminska, for the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society concert series. 

              Teaching approach and Philosophy 

I approach teaching in a non-dogmatic way as I feel each students learning process is unique and goals individual. Regardless of style or level I feel it is integral for high quality instruction to stress basic musical and technical principles of playing the instrument. Rather you’re a serious student with aspirations of becoming a pro, a weekend rock star who wants to be able share music with friends and family or just beginning and have no idea where to start, I’m truly happy and grateful to be your guitar guide.  

 My teaching is always developing as I perpetually evolve my craft.

Typical lesson length is 60 minutes once a week, however for younger children 30 minutes is perfect. 

Over two decades of experience as a performer. Available for hire for weddings, corporate events, cocktail parties, or your unique occasions in the DFW area, and aboard. Please contact me for details.