RAPHAELLA SMITS

She is called quite rightly "une Grande Musicienne." Praised by the New York Times as "uncommonly musical," Belgian classical guitarist Raphaella Smits was the first woman to be awarded the coveted First Prize in Spain's Certamen Internacional de Guitarra Francisco Tarrega Competition. Since then she has toured the world many times over, performing frequently in the music capitols of Western and Eastern Europe and in North and South America.

A persuasive advocate of both the modern eight string and the 19th century classical guitars, she studied music at the Royal Conservatories of Antwerp and Brussels, was a student of Jose Tomas at the Catedra Andres Segovia in Spain, and went on to win prizes in the Granada and Palma Mallorca International Competitions.

Ms. Smits' much sought after recordings on the Accent label are distinguished for their "lyricism, sentiment and passion" (American Record Guide). Raphaella Smits is Professor of Guitar and Chamber Music at the renowned Lovain Lemmens Institute in Belgium.

(See: An Interview with Raphaella Smits by Brad DeRoche)