Pascale Donates Guitars to YSU Grads

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Three graduates from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University took home more than just a diploma last week – each received a brand new guitar.

Retired professor Pietro Pascale presented the guitars to the students – Nicholas Frank, Angela Buzzacco and Shaun McCune – who earned bachelor’s degrees in music from the Dana school. Frank majored in Jazz Guitar Performance and Buzzacco and McCune in Classical Guitar Performance. Pascale presented the guitars at a recital in Bliss Hall.

Pascale, who taught in the YSU Beeghly College of Education from 1972 to 1992, gives a guitar to a graduate annually, but gave away three this year to honor the Dana School’s 150th anniversary, according to a release.

“Other than my wife and kids, my experience at YSU was the thrill of my life,” Pascale said.

Pascale’s brother, John, made the guitars. As a luthier who formerly worked for the Guild Guitar Co., John Pascale’s guitars have been played by musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty and Sheryl Crowe. He has remained an independent builder in retirement and has made more than 100 classical guitars.

“In my 12 years of teaching at YSU, Dr. Pietro Pascale and his brother, John, have been the biggest supporters of the Dana School of Music’s guitar studio,” said Francois Fowler, YSU professor of guitar. “Their encouragement and acknowledgement of these three talented graduating students is very special.”

Pictured: YSU graduates Nicholas Frank, Angela Buzzacco and Shaun McCune received guitars from retired YSU professor Pietro Pascale (second from right). Francois Fowler, YSU professor of guitar, said Pascale and his brother, John, have been big supporters of the Dana School’s guitar studio.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.