Area of Study

Guitar Together , Private Lessons

Career Highlights

Artist Diploma, Indiana University
B.M and M.M. Southern Methodist University
Suzuki guitar training with Frank Longay

Christopher Kenniff, classical guitarist, is an acclaimed recitalist, chamber musician, and music educator. He currently serves as the Dean at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale, NY.  He was formerly the Director of the Mason Gross School of the Arts Extension Division at Rutgers University (2011-2018) where he also served as the Artistic Director and Managing Director of two concert series – the Mason Gross Presents Summer Series (2012-2018) and Music at the Museum Concert Series (2015-18).  Prior to his tenure at Rutgers University, Christopher was a member of the Concert Artist Faculty at the Conservatory of Music, Kean University (2001-2012).  He also served as the Founding Executive Director of the American String Teacher’s Association of New Jersey (ASTA/NJ) Chamber Music Institute (2005-2011).

Mr. Kenniff has been recognized for outstanding achievement as a private studio instructor at the pre-college and collegiate level and was presented with the 2008 American String Teacher’s Association of New Jersey’s Teacher of the Year Award.

He is also a critically acclaimed, award-winning classical guitarist having earned first prize in multiple competitions. The Newark Star Ledger (NJ) has described Christopher as having “a lush, liquid tone, remarkably clean fingering and a nicely varied touch,” while Classical New Jersey writes “Kenniff’s presentation and playing stood out among the concerts of the Access to Art Series. His quiet, poignant play with dynamics was mesmerizing… his playing was idiomatic, beautifully voiced, and technically flawless…he left the listeners with the impression that he himself was thrilled to give the performance.”