Two years ago, he was just starting to learn what the classical guitar is about. Today, he is accepted to every music school and program he has auditioned for.

Carlos Vazquez, a 21-year-old Fresno City College music student, is graduating with an associate degree in Guitar Performance this spring and has wonderful options of where to transfer next. Recently, he has auditioned for an admission in to guitar programs at California State Universities San Francisco, Northridge and Dominguez Hills, as well as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where professors saw his potential and were impressed by how fast he learned.

“I felt really proud when I found out I was accepted,” said Vazquez. “I didn’t think I was going to get in to any of those schools, especially the private one. I went there just to see how good I was. I was so focused on my school work at that time, so I couldn’t even think of where I wanted to be after.”

Vazquez started playing guitar in high school when he was 14 years old. The first year Vazquez played guitar, he was self-taught. The next year, he had a few friends who were more advanced and could show him some new things and give him help when he needed it. However, he began by playing rock guitar and played in a couple of local rock bands before he switched to playing classically.

Later, Vazquez began taking lessons from an instructor in the Tower District. These lessons continued for about six months, but then Vazquez went back to playing on his own until he started Fresno City College.

At FCC, Vazquez became a music major but wasn’t sure what exactly he wanted to do the most. He played rock guitar, he liked jazz, he sang in a choir and could play percussion a little because of his beginning band class in high school. However, he didn’t really consider himself as a singer or percussionist. On the first day of his advanced guitar class, Vazquez’s professor, Dr. Kevin Cooper, suggested that he learn a classical guitar etude by composer Leo Brouwer. “I learned it and I really fell in love with that piece,” said Vazquez. “It was the main switch for me when I decided to take off with classical guitar.”

In addition to his studies at FCC, Vazquez also performs solos showcases, birthday parties and other events. “Performing is always very nerve-wracking because it gets very quiet when you get up on stage,” he said. “You can hear your stomach growl, feet rubbing on the floor, everyone is just waiting for you to start so I just have to swallow up my fear and hold it in so I don’t mess up. Although, I love performing! It is my favorite part. I would be very bored if I didn’t perform.”