Emmanuel Jacob Lacopo is a post-classical guitarist, composer, and educator exploring what the guitar can become in the 21st century. His work blends classical guitar, live electronics, improvisation, and contemporary production techniques to create immersive musical experiences that move beyond traditional genre boundaries.
Named one of CBC’s 2023 “30 Under 30 Classical Musicians,” Lacopo performs with multi-instrument setups and real-time electronic processing, approaching the guitar as a flexible and evolving creative tool. His 2023 album Eastman (People Places Records), a reimagining of the music of Julius Eastman for guitar and electronics, was recognized by CBC as a “must-hear” recording. His upcoming album, Dreamscapes and Our Modern Contradictions (Watch That Ends the Night Records), is his first full-length release of original music and reflects years of artistic research into post-classical music, sound design, and contemporary listening practices.
Lacopo holds degrees from Yale University and McGill University, including a Doctor of Music focused on post-classical practice. Through performance, composition, teaching, and research, he seeks to expand how musicians and audiences engage with the guitar and contemporary music today.
