Gare Hofstad

Gare Hofstad has for many years been an exceptional guitarist, performer, and educator in the metro Milwaukee area and the midwest. He started playing music as a child on the accordion and various woodwind instruments. He attended UW Madison studying music theory and composition. After traveling with bands here and abroad for some years he moved back to Milwaukee and entered the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music where he earned a degree in classical guitar performance.

His repertoire includes a vast array of styles including rock, funk, blues, country and pop specializing in finger style jazz, classical , Latin and other ethnic music. As a professional musician he has shared the stage with a variety of artists/organizations such as Del Shanon, Willie Dixon, Fats Domino, and the Racine Symphony Orcastra. You can see him performing locally with the jazz/latin group Trio De Janeiro, Latin/gpysy-jazz/swing group the Insouciant Guitar and as a soloist or acommpanyist for parties, events weddings and recitals playing a diverse repertoire.

Contact Gare: (414) 258-7859

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I have know and worked with Gare Hofstad for a handful of years and in that relative short span of time I have seen him as performer, accompanist, guitar teacher.

His vast repertoire gives him the ability to accompany vocalists and instrumentalists of many different genres in small ensembles or larger groups. His ability to compose tasteful arrangements as an accompanist or even as a soloist create a solid and entertaining presentation.

Gare has a strong background in music theory and guitar technique gives him the ability to be an effective instructor. His teaching method is based on creating lessons to help his students play the music they are interested in playing and with abilities allows him to craft lessons that range from classical music, jazz, blues, rock, and many more stiles.

I have a high regard for him as a musician and educator and have no reservations about recommending him.

- Keith Watling