About

It all started approximately in 1994... Geoff Dietrich, a respected educator and professional double-bassist, created four periods of guitar elective to serve the student community. In 1998, he left Bellaire and handed these guitar classes and the orchestra to a new orchestra director. Two professional classical guitarists were called in to teach the four classes of “Guitar Elective” left without an instructor. Over the next several years, these two educators, Mr. Moore and Mr. Grigassy, turned those mere elective classes into a full-fledged, rigorous, curriculum-based guitar program. These are the instructors who have committed themselves to the Bellaire school community and have patiently guided and coached thousands of young musicians over the past several years:

Faculty

Mr. Edward Grigassy

Originally from Austin, Texas, Mr. Grigassy earned his Master of Music degree in Guitar from New England Conservatory (1998). After getting this degree in Boston, at the invitation of Mr. Moore, he began teaching hourly at Bellaire. Over the next several years, Mr. Grigassy thoughtfully encouraged the program to expand from the original 4 class hours to 14 per day (as of 2025). A professional local musician with a love for performance and teaching, Mr. Grigassy tries to inspire students, by teaching, coaching and organizing school concerts and district-wide events. Mr. Grigassy currently teaches six guitar classes per day and directs the Summer Guitar Conservatory, a school district sponsored summer camp for guitar students.

Dr. Carlos Guevara

Salvadoran Guitarist Carlos Guevara began his musical journey at the age of eight after hearing the captivating sound of a guitar while hanging with friends. Under his first instructor he developed a strong musical ear through daily transcriptions of melodies heard on the radio.

At the end of 2010 Carlos moved to Texas to continue his education. During his high school years, he discovered classical guitar, and despite the challenges of learning a new style, he quickly distinguished himself by earning gold medals at both regional and state UIL guitar competitions, holding his school’s record for the most gold medals for several years.

Carlos holds both Undergraduate and master’s degrees in music from the University of Texas at San Antonio. From 2017 to 2023 he was a Musician in Residence at Franklin Park Communities, where he presented numerous performances and music related engaging activities.

His awards include first prize at the Texas State University ensemble competition, first prize at the Brownsville Guitar Festival competition, and first prize at the Lino Music Society guitar solo competition held in El Salvador.

Dr. Guevara earned his doctorate from Florida State University in 2026.

Former Faculty

Mr. Daniel Flutur (former faculty)

Originally from Pendleton, New York, Mr. Daniel Flutur got his master's degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville. Since then he has taught all levels of guitar, elementary, middle and high school students. He joined the Bellaire High School Guitar Faculty in 2025 coming from award-winning successes at his previous position, Guitar Director at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School.

Mr. Sean Stone-Ashe (former faculty)

Currently the choir teacher at Pin Oak Middle School.

Mr. Mark Moore (former faculty)

Guitar instructor Mark Moore has enjoyed teaching at Bellaire High School since 1998. He has also taught at Houston Baptist University, San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland. His students regularly win medals at the regional and state UIL Solo and Ensemble contests.

He frequently performs with the Houston Grand Opera, playing guitar and mandolin on such masterpieces as Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”, Verdi’s “Otello” and “Falstaff”, Donizetti’s “Don Pascuale” and many more. On-stage roles include Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” and Berlioz’s “Beatrice and Benedict”.

In 2014 he performed with the HGO at the Lincoln Center Festival in NYC. His work with the Houston Symphony includes performances of “Lord of the Rings”, Monty Python’s “Not the Messiah”, “Music of Pixar”, Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand”, “A Hundred Years of Broadway” and others. In addition to his orchestral work he performs around town for weddings, dinner parties and various corporate events.

Mark earned his Master of Music degree from UT Austin in 1995, and his Bachelor of Music degree from Texas State University in 1992.

Facilities

Due to occasional public funding and generous parent support, the Guitar Program has been able to provide basic instruments for all enrolled students during class. Currently the Program has 2 reserved music classrooms, more than 70 nylon-string classical guitars, hand percussion instruments and P.A. equipment for sponsored concerts and events.

Most concerts and guest artist appearances take place in the Bellaire High School Auditorium on the Bellaire High School campus, which is one of the flagship high schools of Houston Independent School District.

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