Adam Cantor is from Indianapolis and played guitar for the first time in 1998 when he was 10 years old and stumbled across one while away at summer camp. The guitar was nearly cracked in half and missing 3 strings, and all he could use as a pick was a pop tab, but it didn’t matter – he couldn’t put it down. Fast forward to 2010 when he graduated from the Indiana University School of Music with a degree in Guitar Performance. Though he had a background in classical guitar, he quickly shifted his focus to steel strings after meeting Tom Shinness and seeing him play harp guitar in 2005 and then discovering Andy McKee’s “Drifting” on Youtube. Adam’s musical style is a blend of all his influences including the modern fingerstyle guitar genre with classical, folk, blues, rock, and jazz undertones.
Some of Adam’s musical accomplishments include winning 1st place at the Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Competition in 2021 and winning 2nd place at the Walnut Valley International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition in 2021 and 2023. He has 11 million views on his Youtube videos which include original music, covers, and lessons. Adam has been endorsed by K&K Sound. Adam is a proud owner of the Michael Greenfield Andy McKee Signature Model Guitar. Adam has been honored to share the stage with renowned artists including Antione Dufour, Luca Stricagnoli, Calum Graham, Ian Ethan Case, and Adrian Bellue.
Adam’s “side gig” is working as a full time ophthalmologist and professor specializing in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus. He is currently working at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. His other hobbies include spending time with his family, traveling, playing video games, piano and mountain dulcimer, and hanging out with his dogs.
