Bio
"A CONSUMATE ARTIST ON THE GUITAR"
DAVID RUSSELL
(GRAMMY AWARD WINNER)
Dr. Eduardo Costa is a Brazilian guitarist of exceptional technical mastery and artistic depth, known for his electrifying performances that captivate audiences and immerse them in a world of creativity and spontaneity. With a career spanning classical and electric guitar, Costa has earned numerous prestigious awards, including first prizes in:
1. Alhambra International Guitar Competition - Dallas (2010)
2. Indiana International Guitar Competition (2010)
3. Sholin Guitar Competition, Tucson, Arizona (2009)
4. Fifth Saint Joseph International Guitar Competition (2007)
5. Portland International Guitar Competition (2007)
6. IV Beeston Guitar Competition (2006)
7. XV Souza Lima Guitar Competition (2004)
8. VIII Musicalis Guitar Competition (2004)
9. XIV Souza Lima Chamber Music Competition (2003)
10. XIII Rising Project – USP – Classical Music Competition. (2003)
Dr. Costa earned his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the University of Arizona in 2012, completing both his Master's and Doctoral studies on a full scholarship. His academic journey, under the guidance of some of the most respected names in guitar education, including Thomas Patterson, cemented his place as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation. Prior to this, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Guitar Performance from the University of São Paulo, where he studied with Dr. Edelton Gloeden, Paulo Porto Alegre, and Everton Gloeden at the Escola Municipal de Música (EMM).
In 2011, Costa was invited to perform at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City—one of the most prestigious honors for any musician. This landmark performance, along with his third-place finish at the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) competition, further solidified his standing as one of the top guitarists in the international music scene.
Throughout his career, Costa has performed as a guest artist in major cities worldwide, including New York, Dallas, Portland, Houston, Boston, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Brasília. In 2008, he was awarded the Northern Trust/Piper Enrichment Award, a highly coveted honor bestowed annually on a top graduate student in the performing arts. This award enabled him to attend the prestigious Koblenz Guitar Festival in Germany, where he became the first Brazilian to reach the finals in an international field of eighty competitors.
In addition to his accolades as a performer, Dr. Costa has made significant contributions to the guitar community. He served as Outreach Director of the Tucson Guitar Society (TGS) in 2009 and as Artistic Director in 2010. Since 2010, he has been an endorsed artist for D’Addario, and he was selected to record a historical CD featuring rare guitars from the early 1900s, as part of the University of Arizona Museum of Art's Rare Guitars Exhibition.
In 2011, Costa launched "Pathways to Guitar Excellence ©," a comprehensive system designed to help guitarists achieve superior performance. Sponsored by the Medici Foundation, the system was praised by Dr. Donald L. Hamann for its innovative approach to not only developing technical skill but also nurturing the musician’s artistic and personal growth.
Today, Dr. Costa continues to share his expertise through his revolutionary teaching platform, "Dr. Costa’s Instruction 2.0." This program allows students to upload performance videos and receive personalized, multimedia feedback—including detailed score and tablature analysis, video demonstrations, and strategies for improvement. Key features like video loops, slow-motion playback, and adjustable speeds create a highly interactive learning experience, allowing students to fine-tune their technique with precision.
While his roots lie in classical guitar, Dr. Costa's mastery extends to electric guitar, making him a versatile and sought-after musician across multiple genres. His ability to seamlessly navigate between classical and contemporary styles has earned him a reputation as one of the leading guitarists of his generation. Dr. Costa’s performances, teaching, and unique approach to guitar education continue to inspire musicians worldwide, helping them reach new levels of technical precision and artistic expression.