April 18, 2026
Inner Circle: The Electric Guitar Speaks
Event Details
Inner Circle is a deep dive into the sound world of the solid-body electric guitar—its history, its expressive power, and its endlessly evolving voice. Tracing a line from iconic innovators like Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck to contemporary composers including Marc Mellits, Empyrean Atlas, and David Crowell, this concert explores the electric guitar as both instrument and force of nature.
Featuring a powerhouse ensemble of local artists—Hovey and Alexis Corbin on drums and percussion, John Truitt on saxophone, and electric guitarists Mickey Jones, Jeremy Mayne, and Daniel Ward—Inner Circle is a visceral, genre-blurring evening that places the electric guitar at the center of a bold, collaborative soundscape.
Family-friendly fun, recommended for ages 5 and up!
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7-9 PM
Simms Center for the Performing Arts
The Artists
Mickey Jones is a lifelong musician with a passion for helping others discover the joy of making music. Mickey is the director of the Levanta Institute and he has been sharing his love of classical guitar with Academy students for nearly two decades—mentoring young artists, coaching ensembles, and sparking new ideas along the way. With degrees in music performance from the University of New Mexico and a career that’s included concert stages, summer festivals, and commissioned works, Mickey blends professional excellence with a down-to-earth style that makes music feel accessible and inspiring.
Daniel Ward has a lifetime of professional experience as a guitarist, educator, and musical polymath. Daniel’s eclectic resume reflects his universal love of music, and he credits his education at UNM for exposing him to the diversity of styles and performance opportunities that shaped his career. As a classical guitarist, he has performed in both solo and ensemble settings, notably with the Santa Fe Opera, Opera Southwest, Chatter Ensemble and with the Del Sol Quartet for the Santa Fe Opera’s preview series. He recently enjoyed performing as a soloist for KHFM radio’s 10 at 10 artist series. He currently performs on electric and acoustic guitar with multiple groups around New Mexico and beyond.
Jeremy Mayne teaches guitar at Albuquerque Academy and is an active concert guitarist and performs as a soloist and chamber musician. He has concertized throughout the U.S., and internationally. In addition to solo engagements, he has played chamber music and as a concerto soloist with Opera Southwest, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe Symphony, Chatter, Albuquerque Chamber Soloists, UNM Orchestra, and the Albuquerque Philharmonic. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s degree in Guitar Performance from Indiana university.
Alexis Corbin, the Executive Director at KHFM’s, is well known to New Mexico Audiences. She performs with diverse ensembles throughout New Mexico including Santa Fe Symphony, Opera Southwest, New Mexico Philharmonic, Links! Percussion Ensemble, Vespus Marimba Band, and steel pan ensemble Sol Calypso. An advocate for childhood music education, Alexis was the founding Program Director of the New Mexico Philharmonic’s Young Musician Initiative.
Hovey Corbin teaches band at Albuquerque Academy. An active musician, he is a member of the Medieval/Renaissance music group Musica Antigua de Albuquerque, the New Mexican Marimba Band, the LINKS! Percussion Ensemble, the Sol Calypso Steel Drum Band and the Vespus Marimba Band. He occasionally performs with the New Mexico Philharmonic and is a member of the twenty-first century heavy metal vaudeville troupe, Skümbaag. He received bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and in Vocal Performance from the University of New Mexico in 1995.
John Truitt, passionate advocate for music in the lives of young people, has taught at all levels, K-college, and helped to establish and develop the band and guitar programs at Albuquerque Academy in the 1970’s. Mr. Truitt has studied flamenco guitar and accompanying in Spain and has performed with many famous artists, including Eva Encinias, Joaquin Encinias, El Pelete, Maria Benitez, Pedro Cortez, Pablo Rodarte, Jose Greco, La Tati, Daniel Ward, Luis Campos and Lili del Castillo.
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