Cruz & Nelson Duo

Join us at The Sanctuary Studio for an evening of classical guitar music featuring Michael Steven Cruz and Evan Nelson, two accomplished Southern California guitarists bringing together rich musical backgrounds and a shared passion for the instrument.

Santa Ana native Michael Steven Cruz began his musical journey on violin before turning to guitar in junior high school. He studied with Michael Giraldin at Santa Ana College and later with Michael Anthony Nigro and Martha Masters at Vanguard University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Guitar Performance. During his time at Vanguard, Cruz performed in masterclasses for renowned guitarists Matthew Greif and Bill Kanengiser, and toured with the university’s Guitar Quartet, Guitar Ensemble, and Vanguard Singers and Band.

Evan Nelson, a classical guitarist from Huntington Beach, first played bass guitar and trombone before dedicating himself to classical guitar. He studied under Christopher Mallet at the University of California, Santa Cruz, performing with the Santa Cruz Guitar Ensemble and Orchestra. During this time he collaborated with musicians including Bill Coulter and Benjamin Verdery, while also earning scholarships and winning a concerto competition.

Cruz and Nelson began performing together in 2025, bringing more than 15 years of individual musical experience across a wide range of styles including Latin ensembles, jazz bands, chamber orchestras, and rock groups. As a duo, they have appeared in regional guitar communities such as the Orange County Guitar Circle and the American Guitar Society, presenting engaging programs that showcase the expressive beauty of the classical guitar.

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