Kristofor Downs - Guitar
Bachelor of Music, Austin Peay State University
Master’s of Music in Classical Guitar, University of Akron
Master’s of Music in Music Composition, University of Akron
Guitarist, composer and educator Kristofor Downs has been with Trillium Schools of Music for five years. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville,Tennessee and two Master of Music degrees from The University of Akron (Classical Guitar Performance and Music Composition). His primary teachers were Andrew Zohn, Stanley Yates, James Marron and James Wilding.
As an educator, Kris has over 15 years experience teaching students with a wide range of playing levels and interests. Regardless of the genre of music, his teaching style emphasizes reading and rhythm, idiomatic technique, music theory and developing a strong foundation so that the student has the skills they need to play the music they want. Along with teaching in his private teaching, Kris serves on faculty at Ashland University and Kenyon College.
Since high school Kris has been an active performer on both the electric and classical guitar in several capacities. In addition to his solo guitar performances, he has performed with several jazz combos, chamber ensembles and church groups, both in the Columbus, Georgia and then NE Ohio areas. In the past, he has worked on cruise ships as a showband guitarist. He is currently very active in the NE Ohio musical theatre scene. As a composer, his portfolio ranges from chamber music that include the guitar as well as music written for conventional brass and wind ensembles. In August of 2026 he led the PorchROKR guitar orchestra where he served as conductor and arranger.