About us
Empowering young people
through the classical guitar
Our Mission
Kithara Project is a collective of internationally renowned classical guitarists dedicated to enriching the lives of young people worldwide through the classical guitar.
Founded in 2015 by Matthew Rohde and Adam Levin, two friends who shared a passion for the instrument, a belief in the importance of accessible music education, and a desire to contribute to a world where people become kinder and more sensitive, Kithara Project aims to make classical guitar education accessible to all children and youth, regardless of background.
Currently, Kithara Project runs four community-based guitar education programs: one at a community center serving a low-income housing development near Boston, another in a self-governing community in southeast Mexico City, a third at an elementary school in Albuquerque’s South Valley, and a fourth at a middle school in Detroit. A fifth location in Providence, Rhode Island will open in fall 2025.
Kithara Project provides so much more than classical guitar classes.
Our faculty provides students with weekly individual and group lessons, masterclasses led by renowned guest artists, ensemble coachings, performance opportunities, solfege and theory classes, and concert-going opportunities. As part of our program in Mexico City, we run a luthier workshop, where students have the chance to apprentice in the art of guitar construction and repair.
Why the guitar?
The guitar, arguably the world’s most popular instrument, is versatile, portable, and universally beloved. Its appeal transcends socioeconomic and cultural boundaries, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds. The ancient Greek kithara, a forerunner of the guitar, reflects this shared heritage, inspiring names like the Latin cithara, Spanish guitarra, and Persian setar—meaning “three strings.” As a symbol of cultural fluidity and common history, the guitar remains a powerful instrument of diplomacy and education.
