Jim Perona

Jim Perona is a wedding musician based in Wheaton, Illinois.

I am a solo instrumental guitarist with an expansive repertoire and a passion for creating the perfect soundtrack to your big day. I am professional, enthusiastic and reliable musician with great reviews from many happy clients.

My repertoire spans every era: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Spanish-Romantic, Flamenco & even contemporary! For the latter, I create solo guitar arrangements of songs upon request, which maintains it's familiarity while adding a charming elegance. These arrangements are a huge hit with wedding couples!

Planning and performing music for weddings is my passion and profession and having gotten married myself in May 2021, I know how important it is to feel like you're in the best of hands with your wedding vendors. My promise to you is that when it comes to the wedding music, you will be in the best of hands.

Experience
Born into a musical family, I began taking guitar lessons at age 11. In 2008, I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in classical guitar performance, studying under guitar expert Fareed Haque (winner of the 2009 "Best World Guitarist" award from Guitar Player Magazine). In 2010, I received my Master's Degree in classical guitar performance from the New England Conservatory under the tutelage of world-renowned guitarist Eliot Fisk (Eliot Fisk was the last direct student of legendary guitarist Andres Segovia). I have since performed at over 300 weddings, earning 10 "Couple's Choice Award" in a row on WeddingWire (every year since 2013).

In 2018, I was invited to perform and lecture at the Boston Guitar Festival (performance video available on my YouTube channel). The lecture portion was centered on building a positive & collaborative relationship with wedding couples with the ultimate goal of putting together the perfect soundtrack for their wedding. The following year, I was invited to perform for the United Center Concert Club, serving as the pre-concert act to headliners Fleetwood Mac.

Services Offered
I provide solo instrumental guitar musical entertainment for weddings and other special events at an affordable rate. My repertoire spans over 500 years of music, including more recent pop hits. As a solo guitarist, my setup is portable and volume is perfect for your guests to enjoy. Event services offered include the following:

• Ceremony and reception music
• Prelude (pre-ceremony) music
• Cocktail hour music
• Dinner hour music
• Reception music
• Accommodation of up to 3 special requests.
• Instrumentals
• Musical interludes
• Rehearsal dinner
• Vocals
• Sound/PA system for Ceremony.