Enric Felix Madriguera

Enric was born on April 7, 1950 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was an internationally recognized teacher and performer of the classical guitar and a fixture in the Dallas Guitar Community. He was the head of Guitar Studies at Eastfield College from 1976 to 2009, and from 2009 until his death, he was the Russell Cleveland Professor of Guitar Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Madriguera was a tireless educator who developed students of all ages and built a strong network of support that helped many of his contemporaries and young professionals create a stronger classical guitar community and promote classical guitar culture.

Enric began his study of classical guitar in New York City as a teenager. In 1969 he moved with his wife, Denise Jordan (1951) and first-born daughter Christina to Spain where he continued his studies. After a year of study at the Royal Conservatory in Madrid, Enric transferred to the Instituto Musical Oscar Espla in Alicante to study with Jose Thomas, who was Maestro Segovia’s assistant to his Master Class in Santiago de Compostela. During the summers of 1970 – 1972 Enric was a scholarship recipient from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend the Segovia Master Classes in Santiago de Compostela in Alicante where he was able to study with the “father of the classical guitar,” Maestro Segovia. In 1973 Enric earned his Certificate from the Instituto and he placed first in the International Guitar Competition at a Master Class held by Jose Thomas. Following this achievement, he gave concerts in Madrid and Palma de Mallorca. Upon his return to the states in 1973, Enric’s second daughter Juliana, was born. Dr. Madriguera earned his master’s degree in humanities in 1984 and his Ph.D. in humanities in 1993, both from University of Texas at Dallas.

Enric performed across the globe and is a two-time Fulbright Scholar. He shared his artistry, enthusiasm, and deep well of knowledge across the U.S., Latin America, Spain, China, Vietnam and Japan. His legacy includes leading yearly trips for colleagues and students to study and perform across Spain and co-founding the Texas Guitar Festival and Competition which has been held at University of Texas at Dallas since 2001.

Enric was a celebrated performer and recording artist as a soloist, with his wife Sabine Madriguera (1970-2012), and with many ensembles. His recordings include Old World/New World (Encore), Guitars of the Americas (Documentary Arts), Duo Madriguera (Encore), New Music Ensemble Voices of Change: Voces Americanas, A Tribute to Eduardo Mata; Frida—Concert Suite by Robert Xavier Rodriguez (CRI); Voz y Guitarra with soprano Kathryn Evans, and his most recent recording Remembranzas De Mi Guitarra (Albany).

Enric was joyful in countenance and spirit. He never met a stranger and he loved music, travel, languages, good food, wine, and almost any adventure. In addition to countless friends, colleagues, and students all over the world, he is survived by his two cats, Felix and Frida; daughters, Christina and Juliana; grandchild Lee; sister Eulalia; fiancée Lori Ann Jones. He is preceded in death by his wife Sabine (1970-2012); his parents, Enrique Madriguera (1904-1973) and Patricia Gilmore (d. 1992), and his sister Maria Madriguera (1944-2008).

A Memorial Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. with Rosary to begin at 1:00pm on Friday, May 17, 2024 at St Joseph Catholic Church, 600 S Jupiter Rd., Richardson, Texas 75081.

Recuerdos: Remembrances of Dr. Enric Madriguera will be held at 2:00 p.m. on May 18, 2024 in the Jonnson Performance Hall at the University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080.