Brian Torosian is an active soloist and chamber musician best known for his work relating to 19th-century guitarist and composer J. K. Mertz. In addition to standard six-string guitar, he plays baroque guitar, mandolin, Terz guitar, and 10-string guitar replicas, the latter two including those made for him by R. E. Bruné after 19th-century Viennese instruments. Brian is the President of the Chicago Classical Guitar Society and directs the guitar program of Northeastern Illinois University where he is a multiple recipient of the Instructor Excellence Award and Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate. He received bachelor, masters, and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University as a student of Anne Waller, and studied with Oscar Ghiglia in Italy at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana where he received the Diploma of Merit. Brian’s doctoral dissertation, Mertz In America, chronicles the use of the composer’s music in the years preceding the sweeping influence of Andrés Segovia. It was published by DGA Editions in 2024. Concert performances include appearances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, and Chicago Opera Theater. Cited as “the world’s foremost Mertz scholar,” Brian is the editor of numerous published editions of guitar music. His recordings include a collection of Mertz’s guitar and piano duos and a CD of concert works by Mertz based on operas of Bellini.