Tel/text. 779-247-0071 Neil@FoxLakeGuitar.Com
Book a live music performance for your event, or sign up for world-class guitar lessons today!
Fox Lake Guitarist Neil Geisler
Neil Gregory Geisler's live performances have taken him to stages at numerous festivals, guitar competitions, and universities worldwide, including performances with the Orlando Philharmonic and The Russian National Orchestra. He has also been invited to participate in over thirty public masterclasses globally.
With 30 years of experience as a professional performer and teacher, Neil offers private guitar lessons specializing in classical, fingerstyle, and electric guitar styles.
His past teaching experience includes:
- Presenting a series of guitar lectures and workshops at U.W. Milwaukee, under Dr. Beverly Belfer.
- Teaching Applied Guitar at Stetson University’s Community Music School in DeLand, Florida.
- Operating Cherry Creek Music Academy in Colorado and Blackstar Guitar Studio in Spring Grove, Illinois.
Neil provides a variety of live event music services, including:
- Intimate Solo Salon Recitals
- Wine/Tapas Parties
- Receptions
- Art Exhibits/Openings
- Funerals
- Charity Events/Benefits
- Weddings
- Corporate Functions
- Elegant Dinner Music
- General Background Music
Weddings: Neil has performed wedding processionals, recessionals, and receptions since 1998, offering a selection of beautiful sacred or secular wedding music to make your special day unforgettable. No matter the location, he can provide quality music for an extraordinary experience. From 2003-2005, he lived and performed in Key West, FL, providing music on beaches, remote islands, and at the Ernest Hemingway Home, and even offered wedding musician services at sea aboard the Western Union, one of the last surviving schooners in the world.
At Wine-Tapas Parties, Neil delivers elegant acoustic music infused with Spanish flair.
During art events, he offers stylistically appropriate improvisation or classical programming, covering ambient, avant-garde, mystical, primitivism, and minimalist styles.
Consider enhancing your dinner functions with a world-class live classical guitar performance that guarantees to make any evening magical, romantic, and unforgettable.
For background music, Neil provides instrumental performances that create a classy atmosphere for any event.
Inquire about free performances for charity events and worthwhile causes.
For funeral services, somber and mournful music is available, including special arrangements of a loved one's favorite song.
Feel free to contact us with your music needs, and we will do our best to accommodate!
Other passions, hobbies, and skills include: restoring and building classic cars, boating, kayaking, fishing, gardening, skiing, snowboarding, cooking healthy food, and raising his two pug dogs, Shadow and Penny.
LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE:
Neil’s current concert repertoire spans four centuries and includes music from around the world. His selections range from Baroque lute suites and classical hits to romantic masterworks, Spanish classics, South American showpieces, Celtic airs and dances, and unique solo arrangements of modern popular tunes from the 1970s and 80s. Ask about a custom-tailored music program for your event!
Neil Gregory Geisler
Guitarist Neil Geisler's musical journey began playing rock and blues bass with relatives at the age of ten. His formal studies began at age 21 when he attended The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music(1996-1999). He later entered the classical guitar degree program at U.W. Milwaukee. In 2000, he transferred to Stetson University in Florida, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Music in guitar performance, where he graduated with high honors.
Key West, Florida, was home until 2005 when hurricanes Katrina and Wilma ravaged the island. Neil then relocated to Denver, and was awarded an endowed scholarship to attend Denver University’s Lamont School of Music. There, he pursued a Master’s in Music degree studying under the renowned Maestro Ricardo Iznaola.
With 30 years of experience as a professional performer and teacher, Neil offers private guitar lessons in classical, fingerstyle, and electric guitar styles. He also specializes in Acoustic Guitar Live performances, providing Live Classical Guitar for various events.
Currently, he serves communities in Northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin
Live Concert Audio Tracks: to listen on a Phone Install Soundcloud Please!
Listen to Oscar Espla's Levantine here: https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/oscar-espla-levantine.
You can also check out Equinox by Toru Takemitsu for a serene experience: https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/equinox-by-toru-takemitsu
A Hungarian Fantasy by J.K. Mertz, https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/hungarian-fantasy-by-jk-mertz
Koyunbaba by Domeniconi, a more exotic sounding piece in 4 movements:1. https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/i-mosso
2. https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/ii-moderato 3. https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/iii-cantabile 4. https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/iv-presto
A relaxing Barcarolle- Julia Florida: https://soundcloud.com/neilgeisler/agustin-barrios-julia-floridabarcarolle
Guitar Duo: https://soundcloud.com/lslmusic111/evening-dance-by-andrew-york-me-and-neil-geisler-ca-2001
As First Guitar Stetson Guitar Quartet: https://soundcloud.com/lslmusic111/bantu-classical-years
Private Study and Masterclasses
Oscar Ghiglia(Italy/Sweden)
Manuel Barrueco(Cuba/USA)
Roland Dyens(France)
Pasquale Rucco(Italy)
Paul Galbraith(Scotland/Brazil)
Abel Carlevaro(Uruguay)
David Russell(Scotland/Spain)
Benjamin Verdery(USA)
Adam Holzman(USA)
Nicholas Goluses(USA)
Antigoni Goni(Greece)
Kevin Gallagher(USA)
Michael Chapdelaine(USA)
Michael Nicolella(USA)
Arnaud Dumond(France)
Carlos Barbosa-Lima
Stephen Robinson(USA) *Primary
Raymond Mueller(USA) *Primary
George Lindquist(USA) *Primary
Christopher Laughlin (USA) *Primary
Ricardo Iznaola(Cuba/USA) *Primary
Reviews
Soundboard Magazine (Fall 1998) Performance Review: “...Geisler demonstrated that the next generation of performers will not be lacking in either talent or enthusiasm...”
Ann B.-Cocktail Party • Reviewed on July 27, 2018•From Machesney Park, IL
"Neil is a very talented musician! His acoustic guitar live performance was the perfect backdrop for our cocktail reception. I would hire Neil again in a heartbeat!"
Review by Rachel S.
Wedding Cocktail Hour • Reviewed on July 24, 2017•From Madison, WI
"Neil played Spanish guitar selections during the cocktail hour of my wedding reception. It was the ideal backdrop as guests filtered into the dining hall. All of my guests loved Neil. Thankfully, I was able to hear the last half hour or so of his performance and was very happy with what I heard. He is super talented, very professional, and a great addition to my wedding. He helped enhance the laid-back vibe I was trying to achieve with my reception. Thanks, Neil!"
Review by Daniel D.
Celebration • Reviewed on July 9, 2017•From Black Creek, WI
"Neil was such a wonderful asset to my daughter's post-wedding party. It was an outdoor event, and he was prepared for everything. I let him choose the music for most of the time, and his selection was spot on. My brother, a music professor, commented on how good Neil was. He is a fantastic musician, very personable, and can play multiple genres of music. We primarily enjoyed live classical guitar, but he seamlessly switched it up from time to time and also played requested styles without hesitation. I plan to ask him to perform at other events in the future - he is fantastic! Thank you, Neil!"
Sample Solo Pop/Classical Song List
- Suite Del Recuerdo -Jose Luis Merlin
- Piano Man- Billy Joel
- Time After Time | Cyndi Lauper
- Diamonds and Rust | Joan Baez
- Dust in The Wind | Kansas
- Hello | Lionel Richie
- Wild World | Cat Stevens
- Nothing Compares 2U | Prince/O'Connor
- Yesterday,
- Something,
- Here, There, and everywhere,
- Let it Be | Beatles
- Ashes to Ashes | David Bowie
- Ziggy Stardust | David Bowie
- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
- Your Song | Elton John
- Nothings Gunna Stop Us Now | Starship
- Wedding March | Mendelssohn
- Julia Florida(Barcarolle)
- Aires Andaluces | Agustin Barrios
- Canon in D | Pachelbel
- Little Wing(classical arr.) | Jimi Hendrix
- Vals in d, #3 | Agustin Barrios
- Oh My Love | John Lennon
- Violin Sonata #2 | J.S. Bach
- Siguenza |
- Manzares el Real |
- Romanza de los Pinos |
- Madronos | Federico Moreno-Torroba
- Recuerdos de la Alhambra
- Maria
- Caprichio Arabe
- Danza Mora| Francisco Tarrega
- Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios | Agustin Barrios
- Ave Maria | Trad/Schubert
- Songs Without Words-Venetian Boat Song | Mendelssohn
- Andante, Bouree | Prelude 998 J.S. Bach
- Introduction and Rondo | Dionisio Aguado
- Mozart Variations Opus 9 | Etudes-Fernando Sor
- Leyenda
- Torre Bermeja | Isaac Albeniz
Scholarships Earned
Scholarships and Awards Earned
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music: Cello Scholarship competition 1996-1999 (3rd, 2nd prizes)
Guitar scholarship competition 1997-2000 (First Prize)
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee: Music Dean’s talent scholarship 1999-2000,
Stetson University: Academic Merit Scholarship, Music talent scholarship, Florida Scholar Scholarship 2000-2003.
National Dean’s List inclusion 2002 for being on Dean’s List every semester of collegiate study.
Denver University: Harry Albert Endowed Scholarship- 2006-2007
https://archives.stetson.edu/digital/collection/Memorabilia/id/25104/