About
Kristopher Hale is a native of Roanoke, Virginia. Currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Roanoke College and Radford University, he also owns and operates Hale’s Music School in Salem, VA where he teaches guitar, bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and music theory privately with students throughout the New River Valley and Roanoke areas. He is a sought-after performer, appearing in public and private events throughout Virginia.
Hale received a Bachelor of Music, Magna Cum Laude in 2003 and a Master of Arts in Music in 2005 with a concentration in Guitar Performance from Radford University. While a student there, he was honored with scholarships and awards including a Graduate Teaching Fellowship from 2004 to 2005 and three Honors Recital Nominations from the faculty. For the 2002-2003 academic year he received the RU Senior Excellence Award and appeared on the National Dean’s List. He has been inducted into the Theta Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the Alpha Zeta chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity. Hale was a founding member of the Southwestern Virginia Classical Guitar Society at Radford University and served as its president from 2003 to 2005. Fender Musical Instruments awarded him a scholarship to attend Duquesne University’s 2002 Guitar Workshop. He also received a scholarship to the St. Joseph International Guitar Festival at Missouri Western State College in 2003 and was a semifinalist in the guitar competition at the same festival the following year. After College, Hale was appointed Professor of Music & Director of Guitar Studies at Emory & Henry College in Virginia from 2005-2008 and Director of Guitar Studies at Lynchburg College from 2009-2017.
Kristopher began playing guitar at the age of 9 and won first place in a composition contest at age thirteen. During his five years at Radford University, he studied with critically acclaimed guitarist Robert Trent, the first recipient of a Doctor of Musical Arts in guitar performance from Peabody Conservatory. Now, Hale has performed widely and received personal instruction from world-renowned guitarists including David Russell, Lily Afshar, Vincent Airault, Anthony Glise, Christopher Berg and Carlo Barone, among others.
Testimonals
Working with Kris was great!! He was highly recommended because of his talent, compassion and professionalism and he proved to show all that and more. The wedding was short planned and at random, but Kris was very welcoming to our requests and making us happy. He was always on time with smile; he joined us at the rehearsal dinner, and was a true sport on a hot July day, outside in the hot sun in a tux. He truly did a beautiful and exceptional job! Thanks Kris for helping to make our wedding day special!!"
Matt and Chelsea Phipps
We couldn't have imagined a more perfect addition to our wedding. Your professionalism and great talent were a blessing to our special day. We greatly appreciate your accommodating nature and flexibility. We will forever remember your gift of music in our memories of our special day.
Jesse and Afton Conner
Thanks so much for everything! Our music was wonderful and you could not have given us a better gift.
Jay and Sara Martin
Thank you so much for giving us the gift of music on that very special night. It was unforgettable! Thank you for taking time out of your life to be a part of ours! With much gratitude.
John & Jessica
John and I appreciate so much the time you took with us in organizing and selecting the pieces that would work best with our ceremony. Kris also helped us understand what instruments would work (or not) with some of the music we had in mind. Kris’ suggestions worked out great both at the rehearsal and the wedding itself. Kris’ participation helped make our day both elegant and fun. Thanks again!
Stephanie & John Hile
During the time that Kristopher Hale was my graduate teaching fellow in classical guitar at Radford University, he was a conscientious teacher… Kristopher presented two of the best prepared Master's degree recitals, including his performance of a complete concerto with orchestra that I have witnessed at Radford University. Students will find him to be a serious, devoted teacher and concert presenters will receive a performance that comes from a truly committed performing Classical Guitarist.
Dr. Robert Trent, Director of Guitar & Lute Studies, Radford University
I just wanted to thank you again for helping to make our wedding so wonderful! You played beautifully and everyone complimented on your talent. Thank you for all your hard work and we will definitely highly recommend you to others
Jay & Randi Bauder
Thank you again for playing at our wedding reception this past Saturday. Your music was so beautiful and several guests commented on how much your music added to the ambiance at Breaux. You truly made the reception a very special occasion. Thank you again for making our day so special! Kirk and I truly appreciated your participation in our reception. Best Regards,
Karen & Kirk Volker
Just want to tell you that we really enjoyed your lovely music at the wedding. We received many compliments & you added just the right atmosphere to the evening. Thank you so much. You were a pleasure to work with and we wish you a very successful future. You are a very talented musician. Sincerely,
John, Karen, Brad & Ra
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