"Kevin J. Cope has made a name for himself as a composer and guitarist by blending elements of Eastern and Western musical traditions." - Christopher Yasiejko, DE Division of the Arts

BIOGRAPHY

Kevin J. Cope started as a youthful heavy metal guitarist inspired by the likes of Megadeth and Metallica. His tastes grew into the more intellectual metal of bands like Symphony X and Dream Theater as well as the more psychedelic progressive rock of YES. Through exposure to the classical greats of the 20th century such as Igor Stravinsky, Alberto Ginastera, Richard Danielpour, and John Corigliano his own composition style became more complex while still maintaining a connection to the rock and metal music that he still loves to this day. His unique style incorporates everything from serial techniques, free atonal, Latin dance, Arabian scales, and metal.

A graduate of the University of Delaware with master's degrees in music composition and guitar performance, Kevin has studied with composers Patrick Long, Jennifer Barker, and Andrew Bleckner as well as guitarists Matthew Slotkin and Christiaan Taggart.  Kevin was the recipient of the Emerging Artist Fellowship for Music Composition and the Established Professional Fellowship for Music Composition from the Delaware Division of the Arts and was featured on the cover of Soundboard Magazine in their 40th Anniversary Edition with a focus on composition for the guitar.  

A primary composition focus is the classical guitar but Kevin has written for a wide range of instrumentations and has received commissions for many ensembles including horn octet, guitar ensemble (Salisbury Guitar Festival), choir, woodwind quintet, chamber ensembles (Melomanie), and concert band. Solo and duet commissions have also been completed including works for guitar (including the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society competition), flute and guitar, tenor and piano, saxophone and guitar (Duo Montagnard),  and guitar duo (Duo Cortado). 

An experienced guitar teacher, Kevin teaches with the University of Delaware Community Music School and the Darlington Arts Center (Shavertown, PA) as well as teaching private guitar and composition students. Kevin is also an experienced Suzuki Guitar instructor in the Newark, DE area.

Currently the president of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, and a member of the board of directors for Orchestra 2001, Kevin continues to work to enhance the influence the classical guitar and contemporary art music in the Philadelphia area.

Kevin's works are available for purchase from StringsbyMail.com, Sheet Music Plus, and this site. Recording releases include Destination Unknown (Solo Guitar Vol. 1), the saxophone and guitar piece Origin Unknown: A Pole Was Journeying, recorded and released by Duo Montagnard and the solo clarinet piece Sirocco recorded and released by Christopher Nichols and Navona Records.