Isaac Nicola

Isaac Nicola Romero (11 April 1916 in Havana, Cuba – 14 July 1997) was a Cuban guitarist and one of the founders of the modern Cuban Guitar School. He was also brother of Clara (Cuqui) Nicola.

Academic formation

Isaac Nicola began studying guitar with his mother, Clara Romero de Nicola, at the Havana Municipal Conservatory. After graduating in 1934, he studied harmony and music history at Conservatorio Bach.

In 1939 Isaac Nicola continued his training in Paris with Emilio Pujol, a disciple of Francisco Tárrega. He also studied the vihuela with Pujol and researched about the guitar's history and literature.

Work as performer

In 1940 Nicola returned to Cuba and traveled again to New York. There he continued a long lasting relationship with Cuban guitarist José Rey de La Torre, with whom he gave a concert in Havana, in 1947. After returning to Cuba, Nicola engaged on a period of performing activity which concluded in 1957, with a concert where he premiered the famous Danza Característica by Leo Brouwer. At that time, Nicola proceeded to restructure his mother's method and also added much of his own. He established the basis for a comprehensive guitar didactical system that, including the contribution of many other guitarists, professors and composers, was going to be applied to the academic formation of several generations of Cuban guitarists.

Awards and recognitions

Premio Nacional de Enseñanza Artística (1997) (National Award of Artistic Teaching) Premio Nacional de Música (1997) ( National Award of Music) "Félix Varela" Order (1981)