Colton Chapman
Degrees & Studies
He holds degrees from Austin Community College, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and The Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Master in Music Performance. His teachers have included Dr. Kim Perlak, Dr. Matthew Dunne, and Mark Delpriora. He also studied composition with Dr. Reiko Fueting.
Division
Guitar
Music Conservatory of Westchester
Faculty since 2026
Born In
San Antonio, Texas
Performances & Distinctions
Colton Chapman is a NYC-based guitarist, composer, and teacher whose work moves between classical, experimental, and extreme metal music. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, he began as a self taught electric guitarist and songwriter in extreme metal bands before later pursuing classical guitar, composition, and contemporary performance.
As a performer and composer, he has appeared in contemporary music settings including SoundSpace concerts at The Blanton Museum of Art. His performances also include Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Penelope through the Nief-Norf 2019 Summer Festival. His composition for solo classical guitar, “Sonata New York”, was selected for the 21st Century Guitar Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. He was featured in Acoustic +, a livestream concert series presented by MISE-EN PLACE, where he gave the U.S. premiere of Miyuki Ito’s Flashpoint for classical guitar and electronics. He has also toured with extreme metal bands (Mico, Conglaciation) in recent years.
Alongside his classical and contemporary work, he remains active in extreme metal, including touring and performing with metal bands in recent years. He also produces educational guitar content, performance videos, and guitar play-throughs for YouTube, combining his interests in music theory, production, and videography.
As an educator, he helps students develop strong technique while encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a personal connection to the music that inspires them. Outside of music, he enjoys volunteering, reading, working out, and creative videography.
Teaching Philosophy
“I believe every student is the hero of their own musical journey. My role as a teacher is to be an inspiring and knowledgeable guide, helping each student develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity to express themselves through guitar.
Lessons are tailored to each student’s goals, musical taste, and learning style, whether they are picking up the instrument for the first time, preparing to perform, writing original music, or developing advanced technique. I balance clear structure and fundamentals with creativity, playfulness, and the music that inspires them most.
Above all, I aim to create a supportive space where students feel challenged without feeling intimidated, can recognize their progress, and leave each lesson excited to keep playing.”
