Award-winning guitarist and pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, Matthew Montfort has over 40 years of experience in the music industry. He became involved in the movement for artist rights in the digital age early through his role as a class representative for independent musicians in the Napster court case. He is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future and has released two solo CDs: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade. Montfort is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com, a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges and Joni Mitchell. He is also known for his work on electric guitar, flamenco guitar, sitar, ukulele, charango, mandolin, and gamelan and has recorded with legendary world music figures such as tabla master Zakir Hussain. He has performed concerts worldwide including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona, the Mumbai Festival at the Gateway of India in Bombay, and live on national radio and TV shows such as the Echoes Living Room Concerts on Public Radio International, and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Montfort holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Artist and Media Technology from Antioch University. He has studied with the master musicians of many world music traditions, including spending three months in intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. Montfort teaches all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, charango, sitar, and mandolin as well as music theory for all instruments and rhythm classes based on his book at his studio in San Rafael, California, and online via Skype. Additionally, he has taught masterclasses at many universities and music camps, and was on the faculty of Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco for over two decades.