Florida Guitar Foundation

Lecture: Juan Oscar Azaret
2019-06-21 09:00 - 09:50 (America/New_York) | Weeks Music Library & Tech Center, 210, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Juan Oscar Azaret discusses “Those Mysterious Existences.”

For over two decades, Juan Oscar Azaret has been honing the craft of lutherie. He has also been very involved with (and is now a board member and trustee) of the Boston Classical Guitar Society.
Azaret Guitars

Brasil Guitar Duo
2019-06-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Brasil Guitar Duo, a 2006 winner of the Concert Artists Guild International Competition, and hailed by Classical Guitar magazine for its “maturity of musicianship and technical virtuosity,” is equally at home on a classical or a world-music series. Its innovative programming features a seamless blend of traditional and Brazilian works, resulting in a full global touring schedule and a growing catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings. The Duo has appeared internationally on major concert series and at festivals in Cuba, Germany, England, Canada, South Korea, Colombia, Brazil, Austria, Panama, Poland, and Bermuda. Recent and current U.S. engagements include recitals at venues in New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, St. Louis, Tucson, Seattle, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Nashville, San Jose, and Oakland.
Duo members João Luiz and Douglas Lora met in São Paulo as teenage guitar students and have been performing together for twenty years. The Duo’s principal teacher was Henrique Pinto, and they also worked privately with Fabio Zanon, Paulo Martelli, Sergio Abreu, and Alice Artzt. Douglas Lora earned his Master’s degree from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music as a student of Dr. Rene Gonzalez. João Luiz received his Master’s degree from Mannes College the New School for Music under Michael Newman, and with sponsorship from the Augustine Guitar Scholarship Fund he earned a doctoral degree from Manhattan School of Music as a student of David Leisner. João is the director of chamber music at CUNY-Hunter College and head of the guitar department at the State University of New York-Purchase.

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Youth Social
2019-06-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Foster 239, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
A chance for the youth attending and competing at this year’s Guitar Foundation of America Convention and Competition to socialize and network, in a mock Happy Hour setting.

Guitar Orchestra Rehearsal
2019-06-20 17:30 - 18:30, 2019-06-19 17:30 - 18:30 | University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The 2019 GFA Community Guitar Orchestra will perform a special arrangement of the final cut from the EMMY-award winning score to the Netflix mini-series Godless by Carlos Rafael Rivera.
The GFA is once again pleased to offer the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Community Guitar Orchestra. All registrants, regardless of performance level, are invited to participate. The Guitar Orchestra will be led by Chuck Hulihan. Parts will be distributed by mid May, 2019.
The rehearsal schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, June 19, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 20, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 21, 5:15 – 6:00 p.m.
The performance will be held on Friday 21, at 6:00pm alongside the Spotlight Recital.
Signing up: To sign up for the Guitar Orchestra, just make the selection when you register for the Convention, and you will be provided links to music and any other information via email.

ICAC Semifinals
2019-06-20 14:30 - 18:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Second set of Semifinal performances in the GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

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PRIZES
Rose Augustine Grand Prize:

$10,000 Cash*
GFA Sponsored International Concert Tour, including approximately 50 concerts throughout the United States, Canada,and Mexico.
Naxos CD Recording
Mel Bay Publication
3 year supply (52 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories
Generous string package provided by Savarez
CD and booklet design and production as well as print/digital marketing and distribution by Contrastes Records

2nd Prize:

$7,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

3rd Prize:

$5,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

4th Prize:

$3,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
*All donated prizes are subject to the delivery by the sponsor. GFA will do everything possible to ensure delivery of all prizes, but GFA will not be held responsible if donor does not deliver a prize as listed above.
All Semifinalists will receive a $500 Travel Stipend. Foreigners must provide receipts to avoid tax withholding.
Other prizes awarded to all Finalists will include gift certificates donated by GSP, Strings by Mail, and KLING-ON products.

JURY
Preliminary Round: TBA
Semifinal and Final Rounds: TBA

COMPETITION RULES
ELIGIBILITY
Open to competitors, who must be 18 years of age by June 1, 2020 (the year following the competition), regardless of nationality.
Required Piece: Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard.

SEMIFINAL ROUND
Thursday, June 20, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. The twelve (12) candidates will perform before a panel of seven (7) new judges.
The repertoire for this round will be:
Maximum twenty-five (25) minutes of stage time (timed from the first note, including time between all pieces). All competitors will play the required piece, Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard, as part of their 25-minute program.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds.
Four (4) competitors from this round will advance to the Final Round. Announcement of the four (4) competitors to advance will be made Thursday evening at the beginning of Intermission.

FINAL ROUND
Saturday, June 22, 6:30 pm, with live webcast: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. Four (4) candidates will perform before a panel of the same seven (7) judges.
Finalists will perform a free choice program along with the Set Piece. The total performance time, including the Set Piece, must not exceed the length of the Set Piece plus the thirty (30) minute program. Players will be timed from the moment the first note is played (initial entry/tuning time will not be counted provided it is within reason), and the timer will run throughout the performance, including the time between pieces. The timer will be stopped at the end of the piece preceding the set piece, and started again immediately at the conclusion of the set piece. Players who exceed the thirty (30) minute time limit on their free choice program will be stopped.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds. All decisions by the judges are final.

JUDGING
The judging procedures are reviewed each year by the Competition Committee, and GFA reserves the right to change the procedures outlined below at the discretion of the committee, in advance of the competition. Any changes will be posted on this page.
The Guitar Foundation of America does not use a point system. All judges votes are weighted equally. Judges will evaluate each competitor at their own artistic discretion, and each juror will vote their choice of the twelve (12) competitors from the Preliminary Round to move on to the Semifinal Round. All votes will be tallied and the twelve (12) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Semifinal Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Semifinal Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. Each judge will vote their choice for four (4) finalists, all votes will be tallied and the four (4) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Final Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Final Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. The judges will first vote for first place; then for second; then for third. No ties will be allowed in the Final Round. In the case of a tie in the initial vote, judges will re-vote on the tied competitors to determine who will advance to the higher place.
The winner of the International Concert Artist Competition will perform the Set Piece during the Winner’s Tour.

For further information, please contact Martha Masters, Artistic Director at martha@marthamasters.com
-Martha Masters, Artistic Director, GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

Lecture: Benjamin Lougheed
2019-06-20 14:30 - 15:30 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Benjamin Lougheed discusses “A Performance Guide to Roland Dyens’ Jazz Arrangement”

Ben began his guitar study at the age of six with the esteemed Suzuki teacher Marylou Roberts. He then earned his Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, studying with department chair Julian Gray. Ben completed his formal education under celebrated pedagogue Bruce Holzman at Florida State University, earning his Master of Music and Doctor of Music in Guitar Performance along with a certificate in Music Education and Leadership, all while serving as a graduate teaching assistant. He has also participated in masterclasses with many of the most accomplished guitarists in the world, including David Russell, Jason Vieaux, Ana Vidovic, Alvaro Pierri, Zoran Dukic, Marcin Dylla, Rene Izquierdo, Lorenzo Micheli, Judicael Perroy, Paul Galbraith, Pavel Steidl, Denis Azabagic, Jorge Caballero, and William Kanengiser.
Ben plays on a handmade double top guitar by German Luthier Antonius Müller.

International Ensemble Competition
2019-06-20 13:30 - 16:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The first session of the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Ensemble Competition.

International Ensemble Competition
University of Miami | Miami, FL, USA
June 20-22, 2019
Eligibility
The GFA International Ensemble Competition is comprised of an Artist and Youth Division. The Artist Division attracts professional and collegiate-level ensembles while the Youth Division is designed for ensembles whose members are 18 years old or younger. The GFA International Ensemble Competition will take place during the GFA Convention in Miami, FL at the University of Miami. The convention will run from June 17-22, 2019 and the competition will take place on Thursday, June 20 (Youth Division) and Friday, June 21 (Artist Division).
1. International Ensemble Artist Competition – Open to all ages. For rules and more information, Click HERE
2. International Youth Ensemble Competition – All ensemble members must be ages 18 or under through the date of the competition finals. For rules and more information, Click HERE
Ensembles may only compete in one age division of the IEC per year.
*IYC and ICAC competitors are allowed to also compete in IEYC and IEAC, respectively.
If you will participate in more than one competition, first register for one of the two competitions through the appropriate online registration form. Next, contact Ebaa Khamas, Operations Administrator, at info@guitarfoundation.org or 877-570-1651 requesting directions to register for the second competition. An additional registration fee of $100 will be applied for participation in the second competition.
Prizes
International Ensemble Artist Competition (IEAC)
1st Prize: $3000* and Concert at 2020 GFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN**
2nd Prize: $1500*
3rd Prize $750*
International Youth Ensemble Competition (IEYC)
1st Prize: $1000*
2nd Prize: $700*
3rd Prize: $500*
String prizes from Augustine, D’Addario, and Savarez.
*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
**The concert prize is awarded for the winner of the International Ensemble Artist Competition, only. Included with this prize is lodging for the following year’s convention and travel expenses up to $2,000. Jurors are not obligated to award a 1st place prize. Ensemble artists may also be asked to serve on competition juries or teach.
JURORS:
Concert Artist Competition: TBD
Youth Competition: TBD
Competitors Orientation Meeting:
The competitors meeting will be held at 10 am on Thursday, June 20th in location TBD. Attendance is mandatory for all ensemble members. Rehearsal spaces will be assigned for the day of the competition and can be accommodated during the week.

Lecture: Vojislav Ivanovic
2019-06-20 13:30 - 15:30 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Vojislav Ivanović discusses “The Musical Bonsai.”

Born in Sarajevo, where he started playing guitar at the age of 10, Vojislav acquired highest academic degrees both in guitar at the Athens Conservatory with Costas Cotsiolis and in composition at the University of Sarajevo with Vojin Komadina.
From the early 1980s he performs regularly both home and abroad, solo and with orchestras including Trinity College Strings (UK), St. George Strings, Camerata Serbica and Macedonia Jeunesse Musicale Symphonic.
His diverse compositional output includes music for solo and accompanied instruments, choral, chamber and orchestral works. Distinguished guitarists such as Zoran Dukiç and Denis Azabagić, as well as many other artists have performed his music extensively all over the globe and orchestras that have performed his music include New Russia Symphony – Yuri Bashmet, Zagreb Soloists, Vienna Pons Artis Orchestra and the Tijuana Festival Orchestra. As a film composer, Vojislav has several documentaries and feature films to his credit out of which “Halda” (1991) won prestigious “Prix d’Italia” award.
Currently he is teaching guitar at the Music Academy of East Sarajevo. Vojislav is founder and director of the International Guitar Festival Guitar United held every year in Sarajevo East since 2016.

GFA Vendor Expo
2019-06-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2019-06-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Fillmore Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Dr, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Come check out the vendors at Guitar Foundation of America Convention! The Vendor Expo will take place in the Henry Fillmore Band and Nancy Greene Halls at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
Vendors include:

MicroTōne GuitarsProductions d’OZ/Doberman
Sean Spurling Guitars
Kevin J. Cope
Vicente Carrillo Guitars
Editions Henry Lemoine
Wiseman Cases
Ubach Method for Guitar
Thomas Baldwin Guitars
Wood Ring Guitars
Dogal Strings
Lubos Naprstek, Luthier
Garrett Lee, Luthier
Sean Spurling, Luthier

Bill Glez GuitarsTraphagen Guitars
Cadiz Guitars
Rokkomann, Inc.
Reverie Classical Guitars
Vincent Xu, Luthier
Yanlei, Luthier
David Chaves, Luthier
The FJH Music Company Inc.
Sean Spurling Guitar Maker
Gregory Byers, Luthier
Hill Guitar Company
Kopecky Guitars
Kris Barnett Guitars

ICAC Semifinals
2019-06-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
First set of Semifinal performances in the GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

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PRIZES
Rose Augustine Grand Prize:

$10,000 Cash*
GFA Sponsored International Concert Tour, including approximately 50 concerts throughout the United States, Canada,and Mexico.
Naxos CD Recording
Mel Bay Publication
3 year supply (52 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories
Generous string package provided by Savarez
CD and booklet design and production as well as print/digital marketing and distribution by Contrastes Records

2nd Prize:

$7,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

3rd Prize:

$5,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

4th Prize:

$3,000 Cash*
3 year supply (26 sets a year) of D’Addario guitar strings in addition to Planet Waves guitar accessories.
Generous string package provided by Savarez
Generous string package provided by Augustine

*All prizes subject to mandatory 30% federal tax withholding for foreign prize-winners; US prize-winners will be issued an IRS-1099 Form.
*All donated prizes are subject to the delivery by the sponsor. GFA will do everything possible to ensure delivery of all prizes, but GFA will not be held responsible if donor does not deliver a prize as listed above.
All Semifinalists will receive a $500 Travel Stipend. Foreigners must provide receipts to avoid tax withholding.
Other prizes awarded to all Finalists will include gift certificates donated by GSP, Strings by Mail, and KLING-ON products.

JURY
Preliminary Round: TBA
Semifinal and Final Rounds: TBA

COMPETITION RULES
ELIGIBILITY
Open to competitors, who must be 18 years of age by June 1, 2020 (the year following the competition), regardless of nationality.
Required Piece: Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard.

SEMIFINAL ROUND
Thursday, June 20, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. The twelve (12) candidates will perform before a panel of seven (7) new judges.
The repertoire for this round will be:
Maximum twenty-five (25) minutes of stage time (timed from the first note, including time between all pieces). All competitors will play the required piece, Fantasia, by Roberto Gerhard, as part of their 25-minute program.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds.
Four (4) competitors from this round will advance to the Final Round. Announcement of the four (4) competitors to advance will be made Thursday evening at the beginning of Intermission.

FINAL ROUND
Saturday, June 22, 6:30 pm, with live webcast: Performance order for this round will be determined by a lottery. Four (4) candidates will perform before a panel of the same seven (7) judges.
Finalists will perform a free choice program along with the Set Piece. The total performance time, including the Set Piece, must not exceed the length of the Set Piece plus the thirty (30) minute program. Players will be timed from the moment the first note is played (initial entry/tuning time will not be counted provided it is within reason), and the timer will run throughout the performance, including the time between pieces. The timer will be stopped at the end of the piece preceding the set piece, and started again immediately at the conclusion of the set piece. Players who exceed the thirty (30) minute time limit on their free choice program will be stopped.
Pieces from previous rounds may NOT be repeated in later rounds. All decisions by the judges are final.

JUDGING
The judging procedures are reviewed each year by the Competition Committee, and GFA reserves the right to change the procedures outlined below at the discretion of the committee, in advance of the competition. Any changes will be posted on this page.
The Guitar Foundation of America does not use a point system. All judges votes are weighted equally. Judges will evaluate each competitor at their own artistic discretion, and each juror will vote their choice of the twelve (12) competitors from the Preliminary Round to move on to the Semifinal Round. All votes will be tallied and the twelve (12) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Semifinal Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Semifinal Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. Each judge will vote their choice for four (4) finalists, all votes will be tallied and the four (4) competitors with the highest votes shall advance to the Final Round. Should a tie result, judges will re-vote on only the tied competitors.
In the Final Round, judges will evaluate each competitor in several categories. The judges will first vote for first place; then for second; then for third. No ties will be allowed in the Final Round. In the case of a tie in the initial vote, judges will re-vote on the tied competitors to determine who will advance to the higher place.
The winner of the International Concert Artist Competition will perform the Set Piece during the Winner’s Tour.

For further information, please contact Martha Masters, Artistic Director at martha@marthamasters.com
-Martha Masters, Artistic Director, GFA International Concert Artist Competition.

Research Resources Round Table at the GFA
2019-06-20 10:00 - 10:50 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
A discussion on research resources for the attendees conducting academic research.

Petrit Çeku Technique Workshop
2019-06-20 09:00 - 22:50 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Petrit Çeku’s exquisite sensibility and expressiveness have attracted and engaged audiences worldwide. He has performed many recitals throughout Europe and North America and was a soloist with major symphonic orchestras such as Baltimore Symphony, Czech Chamber Philharmonic, State Hermitage Orchestra of St. Petersburg and Zagreb Philharmonic. He also appears regularly with the famed string ensemble Zagreb Soloists and is a founding member of Guitar Trio Elogio, established in 2008.
Hailed by guitar critic Colin Cooper as “a soloist of the highest ability”, Çeku is the first prize winner of many international guitar competitions, including the most prestigious ones like Parkening (Malibu, USA), Schadt (Allentown, USA), Biasini (Bologna, Italy), and Pittaluga (Alessandria, Italy).Born in 1985 in Prizren, Kosovo, Çeku took his first guitar lessons with Luan Sapunxhiu. In 2002 he moved to Zagreb, Croatia, after receiving an invitation to study with Xhevdet Sahatxhija. In 2008, Çeku graduated from the Zagreb Academy of Music, in the renowned class of Darko Petrinjak. He then went on to study with the great master, Manuel Barrueco, at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore USA, where he completed his studies in 2013. Çeku’s first CD was released in 2008 by Naxos.

Guitar Society Round Table at the GFA
2019-06-20 09:00 - 09:50 | Foster 263, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Guitar Societies come together to confer on best practices in organizing and operating their non-profits.

Lecture: Thomas Kikta
2019-06-20 09:00 - 09:50 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Thomas Kikta discusses Mindful Learning in Practice and Performance

As a Classical Guitarist, Vocalist, Composer, Pedagogue, Producer, Audio Engineer and Author Thomas Kikta is a versatile artist who has been the director of the Classical Guitar and Recording Arts and Sciences at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. for thirty years.
A native of Pittsburgh, he studied Classic Guitar performance with Aaron Shearer at both the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He has performed around the country, including collaborations with the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center, Ricardo Cobo, Manuel Barrueco and for such dignitaries as Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison. As an audio engineer and producer Mr. Kikta’s credits include The New York Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, Visa /Mastercard, Seth MacFarlane/Family Guy, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Dr John, MCG Jazz, BMG Classics, Leonard Bernstein, Pepe Romero, Sean Jones, Jacob TV, Jeff Bergman and the New Century Saxophone Quartet, to name a few. As an artist on the Alanna Records Label he is a writer and performing member of the duo group “Colourtime Project”.

Marcin Dylla & the Youth Guitar Orchestra
2019-06-19 20:00 - 22:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Hailed by Washington Post as “among the most gifted guitarists on the planet” Polish guitarist, Marcin Dylla is a rare phenomenon in the recent history of Classical Guitar. Many music critics, connoisseurs, and music lovers certify that Marcin Dylla is among the world’s elite of classical guitar players. He has earned this position, among others, to the unparalleled number of awards including 19 First Prizes from 1996-2007 at the most prestigious international music competitions around the world. His last triumph was the Gold Medal of the ‘2007 Guitar Foundation of America International Competition’ in Los Angeles known as the most prestigious guitar contest in the world followed by tour of over 50 cities in North America, Mexico and Canada during 2008-09 season, live recital video recording for Mel Bay Publications and CD recording for Naxos that reached the Naxos ‘Top 10 Bestselling Albums’ in September 2008.
Marcin Dylla was born in Chorzow in 1976 and received his first guitar lessons at the Ruda Slaska Music Conservatory in his native Poland. From 1995 to 2000 he studied at the Music Academy of Katowice with Adi Wanda Palacz and later completed his studies with Oscar Ghiglia, Sonja Prunnbauer and Carlo Marchione at the Music Academies of Basel (Switzerland), Freiburg (Germany) and Maastricht (The Netherlands), respectively. He is currently a Professor of Guitar at the Music Academy in Katowice and Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
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This year, The GFA Youth Guitar Orchestra will perform a world premiere by popular UK composer Mark Houghton, his latest Guitarchestra No. 10, to open the evening concert of Marcin Dylla on Wednesday June 19, 2019.
The Guitar Orchestras will be led by Chuck Hulihan. Repertoire will be posted and distributed by mid May, 2019

Educators' Happy Hour
2019-06-19 18:00 - 20:00 | FL
Come join us in fraternizing and networking at the GFA Educators’ Happy Hour.
Location TBD.

Raphaella Smits
2019-06-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Raphaella Smits plays worldwide in her unique way on eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Recognized as ‘an uncommonly musical guitarist’ (Tim Page, New York Times), she always commits to the soul of the music. Her solo recitals as well as her performances with the most distinguished colleagues always meet enthusiastic audiences and press. In addition to her stage-work, Raphaella Smits has also made 21 recordings.
Raphaella Smits is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar and chamber music. In addition to her chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium, she regularly gives master-classes in West and East Europe, in North and South America and in Japan.
Smits plays with more heart than anybody should be allowed to have.
Tom Chandler, Classical Guitar Corner.

Today Raphaella Smits is called ‘une Grande Musicienne’ and ‘one of the most delicate and most cultivated performers of our time’ (Jean Bernard, Diapason, FR).
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Youth Guitar Orchestra Rehearsal
2019-06-19 15:00 - 17:00 | University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
This year, The GFA Youth Guitar Orchestra will perform a world premiere by popular UK composer Mark Houghton, his latest Guitarchestra No. 10, to open the evening concert of Marcin Dylla on Wednesday June 19, 2019.

The Youth Guitar Orchestra is open to all registrants 18 or younger. Music will be distributed to participants at least one month prior to the Convention. You will need to bring your own guitar. The performance will take place at 8pm on Wednesday June 19 at 8pm.

The rehearsal schedule for YGO is as follows:
Monday, June 17, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 19, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

The Guitar Orchestras will be led by Chuck Hulihan. Repertoire will be posted and distributed by mid May, 2019

Signing up: To sign up for the Guitar Orchestras, just make the selection when you register for the Convention, and you will be provided links to music and any other information via email.

Luthier Showcase at the GFA
2019-06-19 13:30 - 14:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Come listen to the assorted guitars on offer by the Luthiers and vendors exhibiting at this year’s GFA. Compare their tones and volume in the intimate Clarke Recital Hall at the University of Miami.

Laura Snowden & Les Frères Méduses
2019-06-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Hailed a ‘string sensation’ by BBC Music Magazine, British-French guitarist and composer Laura Snowden is acclaimed for her ‘poise and intensity’ (Guardian) and playing of ‘extraordinary depth’ (Strings, Classical Music Magazine). The first guitarist to graduate from the Yehudi Menuhin School, made possible by the Rolling Stones, she was invited by guitarist Julian Bream to premiere his latest commissions at Wigmore Hall in 2015 and 2017. Laura’s international appearances have since built rapidly, with festival debuts across Europe, China and the US, as well as concerto debuts with Norrköping Symphony Orchestra and Münchener Kammerorchester, and a recording of Lisa Streich’s guitar concerto Augenlider with the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester.
…a true musician whose interpretative capabilities are profound and exciting.
Classical Guitar Magazine

Laura currently teaches at the Yehudi Menuhin School and has given classes alongside performances at venues including the Royal College of Music, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Birmingham Conservatoire, Brussels Conservatoire, Uppsala International Guitar Festival, Altamira Hong Kong International Guitar Symposium, the Volterra Project in Italy and the Guitar and Lute Festival in Sweden.
Laura’s principal teachers have been Julian Bream, Richard Wright (Royal College of Music and Yehudi Menuhin School) and Gary Ryan (Royal College of Music). Her guitar was made by Christopher Dean.
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Incontestably, these two musicians are accomplices… they played a varied and rich repertoire to perfection.
– la Depeche, France

Les Frères Méduses have performed as a duo in the United States and Europe over the last five years, programming improvised music, folk music arrangements, classical music and their own compositions, and have premiered new works by Joseph Williams II and Atanas Ourkouzounov. They have performed at the Guitar Foundation of America Festival, Chicago Guitar Festival, Austin Classical Guitar Society, Texas Chamber Music Festival, String Theory at Hunter Museum, Oberlin Conservatory, Nashville Virtuoso Showcase, and the String Festival. European performances include the Festival de Joué lès Tours, Stavanger Gitarfestival, Théâtre Ducourneau, le Conservatoire de Nantes, and Norges Musikkhøyskole.

Les Frères Méduses blend striking virtuosity with inventive programming, expressive beauty, and engaging humor. Master performers, master teachers, and warm wonderful personalities.
– Dr. Matthew Hinsley, President, Austin Classical Guitar Society

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Lecture: Andrew Leonard and Matt Pidgeon
2019-06-19 09:00 - 21:50 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Andrew Leonard and Matt Pidgeon discuss The Pain Free Guitarist: Prevention & Recovery

Andrew Leonard
Classical Guitarist Andrew Leonard has been called a “guitar phenomenon” by the Portland, Phoenix and his playing has been referred to as “spirited and convincing” in Soundboard Magazine and “inspiring…effortless style” in Northeast Performer.
At age twelve, Andrew received his first guitar and a Led Zeppelin songbook. At age 16 Andrew began studying classical guitar. A year later, he received an award from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. He received his Master of Music Degree from Yale University where he was the recipient of the Rosoff Award and was a Yale Club of New Haven Fellow.
As an instructor, Andrew ran the guitar program at the University of Kentucky, taught at Wesleyan University and the National Guitar Workshop’s Classical Guitar Summit. Online, Andrew teaches using skype and Zoom. Andrew is the creator of several online guitar courses and The Classical Guitar Conservatory at TrueFire.com. Andrew has also received Suzuki and Childbloom training to teach young children guitar. He is a faculty member of the Northampton Community Music Center where he teaches Suzuki and Classical Guitar students.

Matt Pidgeon

Lecture: Robert Trent
2019-06-19 09:00 - 21:50 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Dr. Robert Trent discusses the question “Can I improvise in Classic/Romantic Music? An introduction to Interpretation and improvisation in guitar music of the early nineteenth-century.”

Classical Guitar soloist, performer of chamber music and concerti, Robert Trent has performed on the continents of North and South America and in Europe. Dr. Trent performs on modern guitar, Renaissance lute, on an original French guitar from the early 19th c. and a reproduction of a 10-string double-necked Romantic guitar of J.G. Scherzer.
He has been a first prize winner in numerous National and International competitions including; the Webb National Guitar Competition, the Masterworks Young Artist Competition (which includes all instruments) and the chamber music prize at the International Competition “Arturo Toscanini” in Italy.
The first recipient of the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in guitar from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Trent is Professor of Music and Director of Guitar and Renaissance Lute studies at the College of Visual and Performing Arts of Radford University.

Ewa Jabłczyńska Technique Workshop
2019-06-19 09:00 - 21:50 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Ewa Jabłczyńska began playing the guitar at the age of 7. In 2007 Jabłczyńska graduated with honors in Katowice Music Academy Karl Szymanowski led by prof. Alina Gruszka. Ewa holds a Habilitation degree in Guitar Performance and is currently teaching at the Institute of Music of Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa, Poland.
Jabłczyńska is a laureate of many prizes in international guitar competitions in Europe. In 2008 she won first prize at the International Guitar Competition Westfalian Guitar Spring (Erwitte, Germany), the second prize at the international competition in warfare (Italy) and also in the competition 12th Jan Edmund Jurkowski Memorial Guitar Competition (Tychy, Poland).
In addition to the numerous solo achievements, after graduating the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice and Hochschule für Musik in Weimar (guitar class of prof. Thomas Müller-Pering), Ewa and Dariusz Kupiński decided to establish a guitar duo, bringing to their performances a masterful sense of ensemble and charming personal chemistry.
Kupiński Duo is currently residing in United States for an 18- month research and recording project addressing the Grawemeyer Award in music composition at the University of Louisville, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland.

Inside the Artistry of Yamandu Costa
2019-06-18 20:00 - 22:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Inside the Artistry of Yamandu Costa: An evening of conversation and performance with Yamandu Costa and Shelly Berg.

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Petrit Çeku
2019-06-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Gusman Concert Hall, University of Miami, 1314 Miller Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
Petrit Çeku’s exquisite sensibility and expressiveness have attracted and engaged audiences worldwide. He has performed many recitals throughout Europe and North America and was a soloist with major symphonic orchestras such as Baltimore Symphony, Czech Chamber Philharmonic, State Hermitage Orchestra of St. Petersburg and Zagreb Philharmonic. He also appears regularly with the famed string ensemble Zagreb Soloists and is a founding member of Guitar Trio Elogio, established in 2008.
Hailed by guitar critic Colin Cooper as “a soloist of the highest ability”, Çeku is the first prize winner of many international guitar competitions, including the most prestigious ones like Parkening (Malibu, USA), Schadt (Allentown, USA), Biasini (Bologna, Italy), and Pittaluga (Alessandria, Italy).Born in 1985 in Prizren, Kosovo, Çeku took his first guitar lessons with Luan Sapunxhiu. In 2002 he moved to Zagreb, Croatia, after receiving an invitation to study with Xhevdet Sahatxhija. In 2008, Çeku graduated from the Zagreb Academy of Music, in the renowned class of Darko Petrinjak. He then went on to study with the great master, Manuel Barrueco, at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore USA, where he completed his studies in 2013. Çeku’s first CD was released in 2008 by Naxos.
Petrit Çeku plays on a Ross Gutmeier guitar.

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Youth Guitar Orchestra Rehearsal
2019-06-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States

Lecture: Marco Sartor
2019-06-18 14:30 - 15:30 | Foster 206, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
In this lecture, Dr. Marco Sartor discusses Personalized Guitar Fingerings

Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Marco Sartor is a top prize winner in numerous international competitions, and has performed solo and chamber music recitals in three continents to critical and public acclaim. He has appeared with orchestras such as the Allentown Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Ann Arbor Symphony, and SODRE in Uruguay.
Marco holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Yale University, where he earned the Friedmann Prize for his doctoral thesis on Tango and its deployment in contemporary works. He also received degrees from the College of Charleston and Carnegie Mellon University. His former teachers include Robert Ravera, Mario Payssé and Eduardo Fernández in Uruguay, and Marc Regnier, James Ferla and Benjamin Verdery in the USA.
As an active pedagogue, he has given numerous master-classes in universities and conservatories in the USA and abroad. He has designed and implemented successful guitar programs at the Carnegie Mellon Music Preparatory School in Pittsburgh, PA and the Charleston Academy of Music in Charleston, SC, and served as faculty for the College and High-School Divisions of the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL.
Marco Sartor serves as Assistant Teaching Professor at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC.

Masterclass: Marcin Dylla
2019-06-18 13:30 - 15:30 | Clarke Recital Hall, University of Miami, 5501 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, United States
The Guitar Foundation of America is hosting a Masterclass with Marcin Dylla in the Clarke Recital hall.
Marcin Dylla was born in Chorzow in 1976 and received his first guitar lessons at the Ruda Slaska Music Conservatory in his native Poland. From 1995 to 2000 he studied at the Music Academy of Katowice with Adi Wanda Palacz and later completed his studies with Oscar Ghiglia, Sonja Prunnbauer and Carlo Marchione at the Music Academies of Basel (Switzerland), Freiburg (Germany) and Maastricht (The Netherlands), respectively. He is currently a Professor of Guitar at the Music Academy in Katowice and Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
Regular recital invitations in the U.S. have taken Mr Dylla to Cincinnati, Lexington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sonoma, Cleveland, New York, Utah, Miami, Boston, New Jersey, and Seattle as well as appearing with Riverside Symphonia in Piazzolla’s double concerto for guitar and bandoneon. In Europe, extensive tours take him regularly to the U.K., Norway, Spain, Hungary, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and Italy where he returned to serve on the distinguished jury panel of the 42nd edition of Michele Pittaluga’s International Classical Guitar Competition.
