Xuefei Yang
Xuefei Yang February 13 & 14, 2027
| Dallas: Saturday Nov 7, 2026 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Nov 8, 2026 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavillion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
MUSICAL PIONEER
Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Hailed as a musical pioneer – her fascinating journey began after the Cultural Revolution, a period where Western musical instruments & music were banned. Xuefei was the first-ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, & became the first internationally recognised Chinese guitarist on the world stage. Her first public appearance was at the age of ten and received such acclaim that the Spanish Ambassador in China presented her with a concert guitar. Her debut in Madrid at the age of 14 was attended by the composer Joaquín Rodrigo and, when John Williams heard her play, he gave two of his own instruments to Beijing’s Central Conservatoire especially for her and other advanced students.
MUSICAL EDUCATION
Xuefei was born in Beijing, & is a graduate of Beijing’s Central Conservatoire of Music, and went on to become the first Chinese musician to receive a full scholarship for postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received the Principal’s Prize on completion of her postgraduate study.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Her international success has led her to be invited to play in more than 50 countries at numerous prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, all Southbank venues, and Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as the Philharmonie Berlin, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Konzerthaus Vienna, Auditorio Nacional de Espana, Barcelona Auditorium, Carnegie Hall & Lincoln Center New York. In Asia she has appeared at the National Concert Hall Taipei, Hong Kong City Hall & Cultural Center, Esplanade Singapore, Seoul Arts Centre and gave the first guitar recital and concerto in the Beijing National Center of Performing Arts. Xuefei has also been invited to perform at major music festivals such as BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival, Shanghai MISA Festival and the Beijing international Music Festival.
In 2003 she performed 54 concerts for the “Night of the Proms” Tour, appearing in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, to a total audience of over 800,000 people.
Xuefei is frequently invited to play with the world’s leading orchestras including Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Scotland National Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Orchestra, Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, & Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, China Philharmonic. Xuefei’s recent highlights include return performances with the English Chamber Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Wintertour Philharmonic, debut performances with Beijing Symphony Orchestra, China National Orchestra giving the Asian premier of the The Albeniz Concerto written for Xuefei by Stephen Goss, and an Australian tour with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra which included performing the Australian premier of Tan Dun’s guitar concerto.
Xuefei’s dedication as a recitalist will see her appear across the world throughout the season. Her engagements in the 2016/17 season include appearances in Melbourne, Seoul, Hong Kong, Beijing, San Francisco, Frankfurt, London, Bath, Istanbul and concertos with the Seoul Philharmonic, HK Philharmonic, Beijing Symphony & Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester. Xuefei also continues her successful collaboration with the Heath Quartet.
NEW REPERTOIRE
Gramophone magazine praised Xuefei as one of the leading innovators of her generation for continuing to build the guitar repertoire. Xuefei is committed to commissioning new works and making her own arrangements, with a particular interest in adding Chinese music and chamber music, many of which have appeared on her recordings. Xuefei has received new works from composers such as Chen Yi, Stephen Goss, Timothy Salter, Carlo Domeniconi. This season sees her giving at least three world premiere performances.
RECORDING ARTIST
Xuefei has made many albums including several acclaimed recordings for EMI Classics. Her first recording received a gold disc & her second was selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone magazine. Several of the recordings reflect Xuefei’s interest in expanding the repertoire. A concerto album recorded with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eiji Oue, featuring Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez & Goss’ Albeniz Concerto. Another recording of “Bach Concertos” featured Xuefei’s innovative transcriptions of solo works and concertos by J.S. Bach. Xuefei has released two albums in 2016, her latest solo album “Colours of Brazil,” (Decca Classics) and “Songs from our Ancestors” (Globe Music) which continues her successful collaboration with Ian Bostridge in a recording made at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
IN THE MEDIA
Xuefei is one of the few guitarists whose artistry connect with audiences far beyond the guitar fraternity. She collaborates with an eclectic range of artists: classical musicians such as Jian Wang, Ian Bostridge, Rosalind Plowright, Sir James Galway, Elias String Quartet & the Heath Quartet; cross-over artist David Garrett. Xuefei has also appeared on numerous radio and television programmes including BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, the BBC Proms, a BBC documentary ‘The Story of Guitar’, and China Central Television, who made a biographical documentary on Xuefei, & are filming another this year.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The UK classical music magazine, Classic FM, named Xuefei as one of the 100 top classical musicians of our time. In recognition of her distinguished career, Xuefei was awarded ‘Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music’ in June 2012. Xuefei continues to be ambassador & role model for guitar in China, & from 2015 she is honoured to be the artistic director of Changsha International Guitar Festival.
Xuefei is now based in the UK.
.
Kaleido Guitar Duo
Kaleido Guitar Duo November 7 & 8, 2026
| Dallas: Saturday Nov 7, 2026 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Nov 8, 2026 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavillion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
Kaleido Guitar Duo brings together two distinctive voices from across the globe. Chinese guitarist Hao Yang and Singaporean classical guitarist Kevin Loh, both internationally renowned award-winning musicians in their own right, are united by a shared musical heritage and an adventurous spirit for exploring uncharted territories in the guitar duo repertoire.
The partnership was born from their common roots in the English classical guitar tradition, with both musicians studying under the connected lineage of Richard Wright and Jonathan Leathwood. Before moving to the US for postgraduate studies, Kevin studied in the UK for a decade under various professors, including Wright, and worked regularly with Leathwood during his frequent visits to the UK, both of whom are close colleagues. Coincidentally, Hao later studied with Leathwood for her master’s degree at the Lamont School of Music in Denver, Colorado. This shared exposure to similar pedagogical approaches created an intuitive understanding between the two musicians.
The duo’s name, “Kaleido,” draws inspiration from the kaleidoscope, an ingenious instrument that creates infinite patterns of beauty from simple elements. Like the kaleidoscope’s ever-shifting colors, Kaleido Guitar Duo seeks to discover and reveal the vast spectrum of sonic possibilities within the guitar duo combination.
What sets Kaleido Guitar Duo apart is not only their individual achievements as internationally recognized soloists, but their dedication to expanding the boundaries of what two guitars can achieve together. Rather than retreading familiar ground, they actively seek compositions that challenge both performers and audiences, revealing rich harmonic and textural possibilities.
.
David Leisner
David Leisner October 10 & 11, 2026
| Dallas: Saturday Oct 10, 2026 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Oct 11, 2026 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavillion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
David Leisner, winner of the Leyenda Foundation’s 2026 Celedonio Romero Lifetime Achievement Award, is an extraordinarily versatile musician with a multi-faceted career as a performing artist, composer and teacher. “Among the finest guitarists of all time”, according to American Record Guide, Leisner is a featured recording artist for the Azica label, with 11 highly acclaimed solo CDs. His recent recordings of Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin with baritone Michael Kelly (Bright Shiny Things) and his solo album for Azica, Charms to Soothe, featuring early 19th-century music, garnered rave reviews. His latest album for Azica, a recordings of works he commissioned, called Dedications, is scheduled for release in November 2025. Other recordings are on the Naxos, Telarc and Koch labels, with a concert DVD published by Mel Bay. David Leisner’s recent seasons have taken him around the US, a major tour of Australia and New Zealand, and debuts and reappearances in China, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, the U.K., Italy, Czech Republic, Greece, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. An innovative three-concert series at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall included the first all-Bach guitar recital in New York’s history, and for 12 years, he was the Artistic Director of Guitar Plus, a New York series devoted to chamber music with the guitar. Celebrated for expanding the guitar repertoire, David Leisner has premiered and commissioned works by many important composers, including David Del Tredici, Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, Philip Glass, Richard Rodney Bennett, Peter Sculthorpe and Osvaldo Golijov. His recent Pandemic Commissions project elicited works from Pierre Jalbert, Laura Kaminsky, Chester Biscardi, Bun-Ching Lam and João Luiz. He has also spearheaded the revival of neglected 19th-century composers, J.K. Mertz and Wenzeslaus Matiegka. He has performed at the Santa Fe, Rockport, Vail Valley, Bargemusic, Bay Chamber, Cape Cod and Islands, Maui, Portland, Sitka, Music in the Vineyards, Crested Butte and Angel Fire chamber music festivals.
Mr. Leisner is also a highly respected composer, noted for the emotional and dramatic power of his music. Fanfare magazine described it as “rich in invention and melody, emotionally direct, and beautiful”, and Textura praised its “arresting melodic character, emotional depth, and dramatic sweep”. His music has been performed worldwide by eminent soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras. An extensive discography includes the much-praised Cedille CD, Acrobats, performed by the Cavatina Duo, and Letter to the World, an album of his vocal chamber music. His compositions are published by Theodore Presser Co. and Dobermann-Ypann. Recent works and commissions include a guitar concerto, Wayfaring for Pepe Romero and the New American Sinfonietta, Singing to the Stars for soprano, violin, saxophone and 2 guitars for the New Music Festival at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Pranayama for the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Love Dreams of the Exile for the Cavatina Duo and the Avalon Quartet and Das Wunderbare Wesen for baritone Wolfgang Holzmair and solo cello.
A distinguished teacher as well, Leisner is currently on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music and taught for over two decades at the New England Conservatory. His book about ergonomic guitar technique, Playing with Ease, is published by Oxford University Press. Primarily self-taught as both guitarist and composer, he briefly studied guitar with John Duarte, David Starobin and Angelo Gilardino and composition with Richard Winslow, Virgil Thomson, Charles Turner and David Del Tredici.
Jason Vieaux
Jason Vieaux April 11 & 12, 2026
| Dallas: Saturday Apr 11, 2026 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Apr 12, 2026 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavillion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “among the elite of today’s classical guitarists” (Gramophone), is described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation”.
In appearances from New York’s Lincoln Center to Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and the Seoul Arts Center, Jason Vieaux has cemented his reputation as an artist of brilliance and uncompromised mastery. Cited for his “eloquent and vibrant performances” on disc (Gramophone Magazine) he is hailed as “virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing and, sometimes ineffably lyrical” (New York Times) on stage.
Sought-after for his extensive concerto repertoire, Vieaux has performed with a long list of orchestras including Cleveland, Toronto, St. Louis, Houston, Columbus, and has made premiere recordings with the Nashville Symphony (Leshnoff Concerto) and the Norrköping Symphony (Beal Six Sixteen). He has worked with renowned conductors including Giancarlo Guerrero, Jahja Ling, Gerard Schwarz, and David Robertson. Vieaux’s passion for new music has fostered premieres from Jeff Beal, Avner Dorman, Vivian Fung, Pierre Jalbert, Jonathan Leshnoff, David Ludwig, Mark Mancina, and Dan Visconti, among many others.
Vieaux’s extensive discography includes his “Bach Volume 2: Works for Violin” released on Azica in 2022 to rave reviews for his “eloquent and vibrant performances” (Gramophone). Additional 2022 releases include “Shining Night” featuring his duo with acclaimed violinist Anne Akiko Meyers (Avie Records) and Michael Fine’s “Concierto del Luna” with flutist Alexa Still (Sony Classical), both enjoying strong critical acclaim. Vieaux recorded Pat Metheny’s “Four Paths of Light”, a solo work dedicated to him by Pat, for Metheny’s 2021 album “Road to the Sun”. Jason Vieaux won the 2014 Best Instrumental Classical Solo Grammy Award for “Play”. The Huffington Post declared PLAY is “part of the revitalized interest in the classical guitar”.
A busy touring performer, Jason Vieaux enjoys repeated invitations from distinguished series, including San Francisco Performances, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the 92nd Street Y, among others. Festival engagements include Ravinia, Caramoor, Domaine-Forget, Music@Menlo, Round Top, and the Eastern Music Festival. Overseas performance venues include Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Seoul Arts Center, Shanghai Concert Hall, Sala Sao Paolo, and Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.
Jason Vieaux enjoys ongoing performing and recording collaborations with the Escher String Quartet, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, harpist Yolanda Kondonassis, accordion/bandoneon virtuoso Julien Labro, and saxophone virtuoso Timothy McAllister.
In 2011 Vieaux co-founded the guitar department at the Curtis Institute of Music (with David Starobin). He has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 25 years. Jason’s online Guitar School for Artistworks Inc. has hundreds of subscribers from all over the world. He plays a guitar by Gernot Wagner, 2013, made in Frankfurt.
…faultless delivery… even the arpeggiated chords resound as a solitary line.
DownBeat
…virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing and, sometimes ineffably lyrical.
The New York Times
…perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation.
NPR
…spirited and expressive guitarist
The New Yorker
Vieaux … makes everything look and sound easy. An uncommonly relaxed figure onstage, he seems immersed entirely in the moment. Every note comes out fully formed, but nothing he does feels premeditated, and the music, just a little understated, speaks eloquently for itself.
Washington Post
This terrific guitarist, a Philadelphia favorite, worked wonders with Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez… he played with elegance and fine-tuned precision… a marvel.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
…masterful ease, and great panache.
San Francisco Classical Voice
Vieaux’s new recording Play is not only like pop iTunes, it is part of the revitalized interest in the classical guitar.
The Huffington Post
Vieaux [was] nimble-fingered in a Vivaldi Concerto that was remarkable for its variety of colors.
Boston Globe
The writing for the solo instrument was fantastic— lyrical, virtuosic, tender, and passionate all at once. Vieaux proved to be an ideal soloist. [Leshnoff Concerto, Nashville Symphony] American Record Guide
Vieaux excelled in its flamenco-style flourishes, ethereal high notes and spiraling passage work. [Villa-Lobos Concerto, San Diego Symphony] San Diego Union Tribune
Vieaux showed why he is among the most talented guitarists of his generation, a player whose effortless technique and fluidity gave the concerto a singing voice.
Tampa Tribune
…one of America’s premier guitarists… Vieaux’s performance spun magic. Rarely has a single instrument so clearly painted such cinematic vistas and searching introspection
Fort-Worth Star-Telegram
Vieaux was first-class. One movement of Ponce’s Concierto del sur made me want to hear more of his work, such was the range of sounds he drew from his instrument.
New Zealand Herald
…among the elite of today’s classical guitarists.
Gramophone
Bokyung Byun
Bokyung Byun March 7 & 8, 2026
| Dallas: Saturday Mar 7, 2026 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Mar 8, 2026 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavillion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
Recipient of the 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Bokyung Byun enjoys a reputation as one of the most sought-after guitarists of her generation. Bokyung holds the distinction of being the first female winner of the prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, where Falletta herself described Bokyung’s performance as “stunning, showcasing her gorgeous tone, immaculate technique, and sophisticated musicianship.” Other recent honors include the grand prize at the 2021 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition and the Montreal International Classical Guitar Competition
A bevy of orchestras, festivals, workshops, and guitar societies look to Byun for solo performances and masterclasses. In recent seasons, Byun has performed as a soloist with orchestras, including the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Utah Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and the Aspen Music Festival Orchestra, among others. Her solo recital highlights include performances at the Philadelphia Guitar Festival, Aspen-Salida Concert Series, Toronto Guitar Weekend, Guitar Montréal, Ellnora | The Guitar Festival, and San Diego Guitar Festival. She was acclaimed for performing “eloquently through a diverse and challenging program,” by Michelle Fratus, president of the board of the Knoxville Guitar Society, and having “confidence, passion, excellent projection and great dynamic contrast” by Heather Morand Clark, president of the Guitar Society of Toronto.
Committed to expanding the role of a 21st-century musician, Byun’s concert program often features contemporary music alongside traditional repertoire. As Byun herself says, “it’s vital and exciting to audiences for concerts to join the new with the old. For guitar music to continue to grow, I believe that new works must actively be cultivated in programming, and it is my hope that audiences leave my performances with new experiences.” This skill at navigating both classic repertoire and fresh work has led her to co-found Sounding Board: The New Music Initiative for Guitarists and Composers. The project focuses on promoting collaborative relationships between composers and performers to create new works for guitar, and its inaugural festival in Besançon, France in 2019 has been praised as “extraordinary, in the strict sense of the word,” by La Presse de Gray in France.
Bokyung’s debut recording in 2020 has been praised by Soundboard Magazine as, “a very beautiful disc…We are treated to extraordinary musicianship, technical assurance, and beauty of sound.” In 2022, American Record Guide chose her Naxos Laurate Series recording as the Critics’ Choice Album, remarking her style as “very reminiscent of Andres Segovia.”
Born in Seoul, Korea, Byun began playing guitar at the age of six. At eleven, she took the stage for her first solo recital, leading to an early start in her teen years performing numerous concert tours around Korea, to enthusiastic response, including millions of views on YouTube. By her teen years, she had gained national attention for first-prize finishes in three renowned competitions: the Korea Guitar Association, the Music Association of Korea, and the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition.
Byun soon moved to the United States, where she briefly studied in Los Angeles before moving to New York City, where she entered The Juilliard School at the age of sixteen. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California. Teachers and mentors include Scott Tennant, William Kanengiser, Chen Zhi, Tae-Soo Kim, and Sharon Isbin.
In 2020, Byun co-founded Guitarlab which has provided an innovative online learning platform offering cutting-edge classes designed for young professionals around the world. Bokyung is currently on the guitar faculty of University of North Texas. She is an Augustine Strings artist and plays a guitar by Dieter Mueller (2019).
Reviews:
“Amazing technical abilities, a powerful and luscious sound, and a profound sense of musical interpretation.”
“The applause didn’t stop when the four chapters of ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’ ended. Music lovers in the capital couldn’t help but admire Bokyung Byun’s talent. Ms. Minh Ha, an audience member, said: “I’ve been a fan of Bokyung Byun for a long time, and it’s fortunate that SSO brought her to Hanoi. Her performance today did not disappoint the audience who love guitar and love Bokyung Byun.”
-Vietnam Posts, 2022
“Here is a simple fact: with artistry such as Ms. Byun’s, the state-of-the-art of guitar performance has reached a new level.”
-Soundboard Magazine
“She showed off a thorough expressivity and impressive technical agility, seemingly without breaking a sweat…Byun went on to capture something supremely blissful, beautiful, and meaningful in this music.”
-ClevelandClassical.com
“Extraordinary, in the strict sense of the word.”
-La Presse de Gray
“Bokyung’s artistry and technique break the limits of conventional classical guitar.”
-San Diego Guitar Festival
“Bokyung Byun played the Villa-Lobos concerto with confidence, passion, excellent projection and great dynamic contrast.”
-Guitar Society of Toronto
“Bokyung’s confident and quite extraordinary rendition of Britten’s notoriously difficult Nocturnal after John Dowland…truly brought out the depth of its many tonal colors and shading”
-Classical Guitar Magazine
“What a joy it was for all in attendance at the Knoxville Guitar Society concert…to hear Bokyung Byun play eloquently through a diverse and challenging program!”
-Knoxville Guitar Society
Beijing Duo
Beijing Duo February 14 & 15, 2026
| Dallas: Saturday Feb 14, 2026 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Feb 15, 2025 2:30pm Please note venue change for this concert. University Christian Church
2720 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76109 |
The Beijing Guitar Duo has performed around the world in halls such as the Concertgebouw, Palau de Musica, Tchaikovsky Hall and the National Theatre in Beijing. This season will take them to a 12-city concert tour in the United States in February (Washington D.C., Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Knoxville) as well as other performances in Europe and China. The duo regularly collaborates with orchestras, in ensemble with flutist Marina Piccinini, guitarists Grigoryan Brothers and with their mentor Manuel Barrueco touring in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Virginia Luque
Virginia Luque October 4 & 5, 2025
| Dallas: Saturday Oct 4, 2025 7:30pm Westminster Presbyterian Church 8200 Devonshire Drive, Dallas, TX 75209 |
Fort Worth: Sun Oct 5, 2025 3:15pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavillion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
Virginia Luque plays classical and flamenco music in a Spanish romantic style, combining extraordinary technical virtuosity with beautiful tone and musicianship.
Ms. Luque has recently recorded Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. She has been awarded First Prize at several international competitions, including the “Manuel de Falla” Competition for Classical Guitar in Granada, Spain, and has received the Lincoln Center Scholarship among other awards.
Concerto performances have included the Concierto de Aranjuez with the New York Virtuosi Orchestra, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Riverside Symphony, the Seoul Symphony Orchestra, the Izmir Symphony Orchestra, Antalya Symphony Orchestra and she has premiered her own concerto with the Alexandria Symphony.
Recitals have included Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, The Metropolitan Opera House, The Frick Collection in New York City, and numerous concert halls throughout the United States. She was also invited by Christopher Parkening to do a special guest recital at the Christopher Parkening International Master Class at Montana State University.
A native of Algeciras (Cadiz), Spain, Ms. Luque began playing the guitar when she was four, started formal training when she was six, and gave her first concert at the age of seven. After hearing her play, Ms. Luque was invited by the legendary Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia to study privately with him.
She received her Master’s degree in Spain and at Segovia’s suggestion came to America where she also received a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School in New York City.
Ms. Luque’s other pursuits have garnered her a First Prize in the International Competition of Poetry based in Puerto Rico and she has also graduated as “Chef” from the French Culinary Institute of New York.
Kevin Loh
Kevin Loh
April 5 & 6, 2025
| Dallas: Sat Apr 5, 2025 7:30pm St. Monica Catholic Church 9933 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75220 Buy Dallas Single Tickets Subscribe
|
Fort Worth: Sun Apr 5, 2025 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavilion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
|
Hailing from Singapore, Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation.
He stands as a distinguished artist, having achieved the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music, alongside the 2018 Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award and the 2010 HSBC Youth Excellence Award for his musical achievements. In 2023, Kevin earned multiple accolades, including 1st prizes at the XXII Concurso Internacional de Guitarra José Tomás Villa de Petrer, the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition, and the Boston GuitarFest. Most notably, he secured 2nd place at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Kevin’s journey commenced with a remarkable turning point when, at just 12 years old, he was talent-scouted by the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School through his YouTube channel. This recognition led to an extraordinary opportunity where he was awarded a grant from The Rolling Stones to pursue his musical studies at the illustrious institution as their first Asian guitarist. This pivotal chapter in Kevin’s musical voyage unfolded over seven transformative years at the Menuhin School, mentored by Richard Wright. During this period, Kevin was privileged to receive guidance from an array of distinguished guitarists and musicians worldwide, including luminaries such as John Williams, Paolo Pegoraro, Tilman Hoppstock, Pavel Steidl, Simone Fontanelli, Stephen Goss, and Jonathan Leathwood amongst others.
In 2019, Kevin fulfilled his two-year military commitments as a Combat Engineer in the Singapore Armed Forces. He subsequently pursued an undergraduate degree in Music at Girton College, University of Cambridge as the College Music Scholar and a scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation. Currently, he is embarking on his postgraduate studies in Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, under the tutelage of world-renowned guitarist, Cuban-born Prof. René Izquierdo.
Kevin’s artistic prowess has resonated across continents, having performed in esteemed venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. His international acclaim as a performing artist led to invitations from renowned guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta, among others, where he has captivated audiences not only through his performances but also through his masterclasses and insights on artistic growth. In recognition of his exceptional talent, Kevin was selected as a EuroStrings artist for the year 2020. As part of this prestigious initiative, he gave numerous online concerts to various European festivals, further extending his reach and impact on a global scale.
Kevin’s versatility as a musician shines through his collaborations with various orchestras, including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his diverse musical repertoire. Notably, he premiered the Guitar Concerto by Singaporean composer Prof. Bernard Tan in 2013. In 2019, he performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo as Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘President’s Young Performer,’ in the presence of former President Halimah Yacob.
In addition to his orchestral achievements, Kevin is also an accomplished chamber musician, having collaborated with many incredible musicians. One notable example is his recording of the complete ‘Histoire du Tango’ by Astor Piazzolla with the prodigious Singaporean violinist Chloe Chua. He has also released ‘I Molinisti,’ an album featuring the complete works for flute and guitar by Francesco Molino, in collaboration with Spanish flautist Roberto Alvarez, Section Flute/Assistant Principal Piccolo of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Besides his exceptional musical talent, Kevin’s appeal emanates from his unwavering passion, boundless optimism, and relentless dedication to enhancing the local arts scene and the broader region. An advocate of giving back, Kevin’s philanthropic journey began at just six years old when he immersed himself in fundraising activities and outreach programs. He remains deeply involved in nurturing young talent, frequently visiting schools to share his love for the guitar and music education. His charitable endeavors extend through his music, raising funds for initiatives like ChildAid, which champions arts exposure for underprivileged children.
Noteworthy milestones punctuate Kevin’s journey, including a groundbreaking solo debut concert at Esplanade Concert Hall in 2010, where he raised SGD$180,000 (USD$150,000) for The Business Times Budding Artist Fund and The Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. In 2016, he joined his peers from the Menuhin School to perform for refugees, migrants, and volunteers in the Calais “Jungle” refugee camp, alongside transporting supplies to aid them.
Kevin is an Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings artist.
David Russell | Scotland/Spain
David Russell
| Dallas: Sat Mar 6, 2027 7:30pm University of Texas at Dallas University Theater click for map 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080 |
Fort Worth: Sun Mar 7, 2027 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavilion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
David Russell
GRAMMY award winner for his CD AIRE LATINO in the category of best instrumental soloist in classical music.
Honorary Doctorate in Music by the University of Arizona in Tucson in 2014.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Guitar Foundation of America in 2018
Classical guitarist David Russell is world renowned for his superb musicianship and inspired artistry, having earned the highest praise from audiences and critics alike. In recognition of his great talent and his international career, he was named a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Music in London in 1997.
In May 2003 he was bestowed the great honor of being made “adopted son” of Es Migjorn, the town in Minorca where he grew up. Later the town named a street after him, “Avinguda David Russell”.
In November 2003 he was given the Medal of Honor of the Conservatory of the Balearics.
After winning the grammy award, the town of Nigrán in Spain where he resides, gave him the silver medal of the town in an emotional ceremony.
During his studies at the Royal Academy, David Russell won twice the Julian Bream Guitar Prize. Later he won numerous international competitions, including the Andrés Segovia Competition , the José Ramírez Competition and Spain’s prestigious Francisco Tárrega Competition .
David Russell spends his time touring the world, appearing regularly at prestigious halls in main cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Madrid, Toronto or Rome. Concert-goers everywhere are in awe of his musical genius and inspired by his captivating stage presence. His love of his craft resonates through his flawless and seemingly effortless performance. The attention to detail and provocative lyrical phrasing suggest an innate understanding of what each individual composer was working to achieve, bringing to each piece a sense of adventure.
In May 2005 he received a homage from the music conservatory of Vigo, culminating with the opening of the new Auditorium, to which they gave the name “Auditorio David Russell”.
In 2009 David was named honorary member of “Amigos de la Guitarra”, the oldest guitar society in Spain.
A prolific recording artists, his collection includes seventeen CDs with Telarc International.
The New York Times wrote about his performance: “… Mr. Russell made his mastery evident without ever deviating from an approach that places musical values above mere display. It was apparent to the audience throughout the recital that Mr. Russell possesses a talent of extraordinary dimension”.
Upon hearing play in London, Andrés Segovia wrote: “My congratulations on your musicality and guitaristic technique”.
Ganador de un GRAMMY por su CD AIRE LATINO en la categoría de mejor solista instrumental en música clásica.
Doctor Honoris Causa por la Universidad de Arizona en Tucson en 2014.
Fue ingresado en el Salón de la Fama del Guitar Foundation of América en 2018.
El guitarrista clásico David Russell es mundialmente reconocido por su magnífica maestría musical y su inspirada habilidad artística, habiendo ganado los más altos elogios de crítica y público. Como reconocimiento a su gran talento y a su carrera internacional, en 1997 fue nombrado Miembro de la “Royal Academy of Music” de Londres.
En Mayo de 2003 fue nombrado “hijo adoptivo” de Es Migjorn, el pueblo de Menorca donde pasó su infancia. Posteriormente, el pueblo dio su nombre a una calle, “Avinguda David Russell”.
En Octubre de 2003 le fue otorgada la “medalla de honor” del Conservatorio de las Islas Baleares.
Después de ganar el premio grammy, en Nigrán, Galicia ,donde reside en la acualidad, se le impuso la medalla de plata del pueblo en una emocionante ceremonia.
Durante sus años de estudio en la “Royal Academy of Music” de Londres, ganó el premio Julian Bream dos años consecutivos. Ha ganado numerosos concursos internacionales, entre los que cabe destacar el concurso de guitarra de Alicante, el concurso José Ramírez de Santiago de Compostela, el Andrés Segovia de Palma de Mallorca, el Concurso de guitarra de Benicasim, así como el premio Francisco Tárrega.
Lukasz Kuropaczewski | Poland
Łukasz Kuropaczewsk
February 15 & 16, 2025
| Dallas: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:30pm St. Monica Catholic Church 9933 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75220 |
Fort Worth: Sun Feb 16, 2025 2:30pm Kimbell Art Museum – Renzo Piano Pavilion Auditorium 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107 |
Łukasz Kuropaczewski
Łukasz Kuropaczewski, “an amiable bear of a soloist” as the Washington Post portrayed him after one of his performances with the Baltimore Symphony, “is definitely the new megastar of the classical guitar.” (El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rico)
Lukasz is in great demand as a recitalist and as soloist with orchestras, and he is invited to perform in numerous venues around the globe each year. Highlights include appearances in London’s Royal Festival Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Warsaw’s National Philharmonic Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, Caramoor Music Festival, the Santa Fe Music Festival, Easter Beethoven Festival, Tonhalle Zurich, Heidelberger Fruhling, Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival and New York’s Carnegie Hall.
An avid chamber music collaborator, he performed with the Orion String Quartet, mandolin player Avi Avital, Richard Galliano, Daniel Hope, Stefano Barneschi (concertmaster of Il Giardino Armonico), countertenor Jakub Jozef Orlinski, pianist Alek Debicz or accordionist Maciej Frackiewicz.
Lukasz has inspired many composers to write work for his instrument. He premiered a guitar quintet, “Acequias,” by Marc Neikrug at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and his “Three Pieces for Guitar” at the Baltimore Museum of Art in Baltimore, Triptych Sonata by K. Meyer at the Caramoor Festival in New York. He has premiered concertos by Angelo Gilardino, Krzysztof Meyer, Mikolaj Gorecki, and Alexandre Tansman. He made the guitar version of Krzysztof Penderecki’s Viola Concerto and premiered it with Sinfonia Varsovia and conductor Maximiano Valdes. In 2022 he premiered a new Concerto by Marc Neikrug in Marseille, France with the Marseilla Opera Orchestra and Lawrence Foster.
Lukasz Kuropaczewski is currently on the faculty of the Kunst University Graz, Austria and Academy of Music in Poznan, Poland, holding a doctorate degree in performance.
Lukasz Kuropaczewski was decorated with the “Meritorius for Polish Culture” medal in recognition of his distinguished cultural contribution, awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Poland
He plays Julian Dammann guitar and uses Savarez Alliance Forum Strings.
“Kuropaczewski performed with such passion and technical perfection that the audience could only fall in love with him.”
Nurnberger Zeitung, Germany