Chris Kane: Beloved Mentor, Teacher, and Friend
Today, I received the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of my life's most cherished mentors, Christopher Kane.
I first crossed paths with him during my inaugural week of college. At that time, I found myself in an emotionally turbulent state, grappling with doubts about my chosen art major, feeling lonely in a place where I knew not a soul, experiencing suicidal thoughts with increasing regularity, and struggling with a substance addiction that had taken root during my senior year of high school. My college journey initially led me to enroll in a general elective psychology class, which — given my fragile state — I knew I couldn't quite handle at the time. In a serendipitous twist of fate, I ended up switching that course for a guitar class in the music department. Little did I know that this course would introduce me to someone who would shape my life's trajectory.
Chris Kane (1954-2023)
The instructor was a soft-spoken gentleman named Chris. He soon realized that beneath my scraggly exterior lay a guitarist with more than a modicum of experience (I’d been playing in punk and rock bands for several years). It was during my final exam that I mustered the courage to inquire whether he had room in his classical guitar studio for another student. Despite my total lack of experience in that genre, he graciously agreed to take a chance on me. This pivotal moment prompted me to eventually make the life-altering decision to switch my major to music performance and become a dedicated student of classical guitar. My lessons with Chris were nothing short of transformative, and I eagerly absorbed every ounce of knowledge he shared. Eventually, I transferred to UMass Lowell to pursue jazz studies, but Chris and I remained in touch.
Unfortunately, my time in Lowell didn't unfold as I had hoped. The esteemed jazz performance major into which I auditioned was discontinued the semester I began, and to compound matters, I battled a debilitating bout of tendonitis. Sobriety slipped through my fingers as I dropped out of school, teetering on the brink of self-destruction yet again. In the throes of depression, I reached out to Chris and asked if I could return to New Hampshire to seek his guidance in rebuilding my technique from the ground up.
To my relief, he welcomed me back with open arms, and together, we embarked on the arduous journey of rebuilding. Just eighteen months after I had been unable to button a shirt without searing pain coursing through my tendons, I found myself competing in regional, state and national guitar competitions — and even winning some of them. All of this, I owe to Chris’ patient love and unwavering care, and when I won my first collegiate composition contest (for Six Excursions for Guitar), I was proud for the judges to see “Dedicated to Christopher Kane” up at the top of the page.
When I relocated to Texas, Chris and I maintained our connection through periodic phone calls, sharing updates on music and life. Although we hadn't spoken for a while, we had a hearty conversation towards the end of the pandemic in 2021 that went on for hours. He was in my thoughts recently as I collaborated with the incredible Isaac Bustos in a symphonic performance I conducted of Joquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. Isaac and I share a deep bond as students of Chris from years back: Isaac even texted Chris a photo of us during our dress rehearsal. I intended to follow up this week with a phone call when Isaac broke the news of Chris's unexpected passing.
Chris saved my life—twice—and I can't express enough gratitude for crossing paths with him. He not only helped straighten my path in life, but his philosophy of "do what you love and the money will follow" became my own life’s mantra. I can confidently say that I wouldn't be half the musician I am today, and — as melodramatic as it may sound, I can’t help but acknowledge that I might not be here if it weren’t for him.
My heart is heavy with grief, but I am eternally thankful for all that Chris taught me about the guitar, music, and life. Thank you, Christopher Kane; I will miss you more than words can convey.
You may read more about this great man in Chris’ obituary