Ivan Gygi directs one of the commercial music ensembles at CMU. He strives to prepare his students for the professional world by introducing them to a variety of situations they will encounter as working musicians. Gygi's students learn and develop their ear by listening to the music's masters, learning standard repertoire, and having fun playing music together.
Gygi has grown and maintained a private studio of 25+ guitar students and also teaches band at Juniper Ridge Community School. In the past, Gygi taught guitar and directed ensembles at the prestigious University of North Texas.
In his performing career, Gygi has played with several Grammy Award-winning artists including saxophonist Jeff Coffin, percussionist Pancho Sanchez, trombonist Wycliff Gordon, the late David Sandborn, and many others.
Published Work
Jazz Guitar Today: What to Know About Quartal Harmony and the Tritone Substitution
Jazz Guitar Today: Creating Lines With the 6th Diminished Scale
Jazz Guitar Today: Improvising Over the Dominant Cycle in Jazz