GUITARS INTERNATIONAL
is pleased to present the twenty-sixth annual
Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®
in cooperation with the seventh annual
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
hosted at the
Cleveland Institute of Music
June 4 - 7, 2026
 
Jason Vieaux (USA)
Grammy Winner
Muxin Li (China)
Kevin Loh (Singapore)
Hao Yang (China)
Jonathan Leathwood (England)
Petra Polácková (Czech Republic)
Nicolò Spera (Italy)
Christina Jennings (USA)
Matthew Dane (USA)
Emily Levin (USA)
Colin Davin (USA)
Guitar Festival Mission Artists' Profiles Stroud Youth Competition Schedule Tickets Lodging & Museums Performance Videos Reviews & News Contact

[One of] two of the most important annual American classical guitar events
(Classical Guitar Magazine)

 
WELCOME

PLEASE JOIN US to celebrate the 26th annual Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®. This June we look forward to sharing art music: solo and ensemble, old and new with old friends and new from around the USA and beyond. Featured events include: 6 concerts by internationally renowned guitarists and supporting musicians, 4 performance premieres, 6 lectures, 6 master classes, private lessons, a demonstration of fine concert guitars, and the 7th annual James Stroud National Classical Guitar Youth Competition. - Armin Kelly, Founder and Artistic Director

The Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival® strives to:

ENCOURAGE guitarists and non-guitarist of all ages, genders, and backgrounds to explore diverse musical ideas and perspectives;
INSPIRE deeper thought, discussion, and understanding about how we perceive, evaluate, teach, and perform fine music;
NURTURE old and new musical relationships;
PROMOTE the creation and dissemination of fine musical art.
FOR WE BELIEVE that it is in heightened moments of live musical magic—when art and chance coalesce, time stops, and egos dissolve—that often we become most mindful of our shared humanity.
 

Free Pre-Concert Lectures 
Presented by Jonathan Leathwood 
Zooming In and Out
Thursday, June 4 - Sunday, June 7, 2026

"Jonathan Leathwood is a genius." 
(Classical Guitar [UK]"

These five FREE lectures are designed for performers and listeners at all levels of experience and musical knowledge. 

They explore the relationship between the big picture and the small, and the sense of joy, poetry, and ease that can arise from moving fluently between them. Whether we are considering Bach’s dance melodies, harmony in the nineteenth-century guitar repertoire, our physical approach to the instrument, or the process of arranging music from another medium, the ability to shift perspective brings insight and poise. - Jonathan Leathwood

Thursday, June 4, 6:00 to 7:15 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: Zooming In and Zooming Out: The Poetry of Large-Scale Relationships in Guitar Music
Lecture Overview: TBA

Friday, June 5, 6:00 to 7:15 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: The Song in the Dance: Bach’s Melodies
Lecture Overview: TBA

Saturday, June 6, 1:30 - 2:45 pm, CIM Room 113 
Topic: Imaginative Arrangement on the Guitar
Lecture Overview: TBA

Sunday, June 7, 11:30am - 12:45 pm, CIM Room 113 
Topic: Finding Ease at the Guitar: A Workshop in the Alexander Technique
Lecture Overview: TBA

Sunday, June 7, 3:00 - 3:50 pm, CIM Room 113 
Topic: Post-Concert Discussion with guitarist Nicolò Spera
Lecture Overview: TBA
 
Seventh Annual
JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR 
YOUTH COMPETITION 
SEMI-FINAL ROUND:
Thursday, June 4: 9:45am-12:15pm; 1:30-4:00pm

Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists ages thirteen to eighteen will perform before the public and a panel of internationally acclaimed judges. This year's four Competition Finalists will be announced immediately after Thursday evening's Jason Vieaux Concert. See the 2026 Semi-Finalists' Profiles.
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
2026 Semi-Final Round Judges: Christoph Harlan (USA), Celil Refik Kaya (Turkey/USA), Adam Kossler (USA), Lynn McGrath (USA), Marco Sartor (Uruguay), Mari Sato (USA), Nicolò Spera (Italy)
Information: Click HERE or call CIM at 216-791-5000
 
Solo Guitar
JASON VIEAUX (USA) 
Grammy Award Winner
Concert: Thursday, June 4, 7:30 - 9:30 pm

"[Jason Vieaux is] among the elite of today's classical guitarists"
(Gramophone)

Ticket Price $30.00. Purchase tickets HERE. All purchased tickets will be held for pickup at the CIM Pogue Lobby Festival ticket table starting 45 minutes before each Festival concert.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Morel, Orbon, Ponce, M.D. Pujol. Sor, and Vieaux 
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
Sample Artist Video: In A Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington

Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Jonathan Leathwood: 
Thursday, June 4, 6:00 to 7:15 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: Zooming In and Zooming Out: The Poetry of Large-Scale Relationships in Guitar Music
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
 
Six CICGF
MASTER CLASSES
Friday, June 5, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm; 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Observe CICGF Master Classes: FREE and open to the public, no tickets or passes required.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)

Master Class 1: Friday, June 7, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm 
Location: CIM Room 113
Information: Four Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists will be instructed by Hao Yang & Kevin Loh (China & Singapore), guitars
Master Class 2: Friday, June 7, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: CIM Room 217 
Information: Four Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists will be instructed by Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar
Master Class 3: Friday, June 7, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm 
Location: CIM Room 228
Information: Four Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists will be instructed by Colin Davin (USA), guitar

Master Class 4: Friday, June 7, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Location: CIM Room 113
Information: Four Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists will be instructed by Nicolò Spera (Italy) (Italy), guitar
Master Class 5: Friday, June 7, 2:00 to 5:00 pm 
Location: CIM Room 217
Information: Four Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists will be instructed by Jonathan Leathwood (England), guitar
Master Class 6: Friday, June 7, 2:00 to 5:00 pm 
Location: CIM Room 228
Information: Four Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists will be instructed by Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar
 
Kaleido Guitar Duo
HAO YANG (China) and KEVIN LOH (Singapore)
Concert: Friday, June 5, 7:30 - 9:30 pm

Hao Yang: First Prize Winner of the 2024 Koblenz International Guitar Competition, recipient of the Clifton Foundation’s Emerging Artists Award, and a Winner of the 2021 Astral National Auditions. 

Kevin Loh: First prizes at the XXII Concurso Internacional de Guitarra José Tomás Villa de Petrer, the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition, and the Boston GuitarFest.

Ticket Price: $25.00. Purchase tickets HERE. All purchased tickets will be held for pickup at the CIM Pogue Lobby Festival ticket table starting 45 minutes before each Festival concert.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Debussy, Dodgson, Dun, Dyens, Ginastera, and Goss
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
Sample Artists' Videos: Melodia de uma noite (Melody of a Night) performed by Hao Yang 
Adagio from Violin Sonata No. 1, BWV 1001 by J.S. Bach performed by Kevin Loh 

Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Jonathan Leathwood: 
Friday, June 5, 6:00 to 7:15 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: The Song in the Dance: Bach’s Melodies
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
 
Demonstration of 
Fine Classical Guitars
ANTONIS HATZINIKOLAOU (Greece)
Saturday, June 6, 10:30 am - Noon

Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, CIM Mixon Hall,11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: Virtuoso classical guitarist/master guitar maker Antonis Hatzinikolaou (Greece) will perform on eight individually handcrafted concert guitars, provided by Guitars International from around the world, to illustrate each instrument’s unique musical attributes.
Admission: Free and open to the public. no tickets or passes required
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
 
Solo Guitar
MUXIN LI (China)
Concert: Saturday, June 6, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Muxin Li: Mimi Lane and Robert Durham Fellow at the Curtis Institute of Music, First Prize Winner at age 16 of the Guitar Foundation of America Senior Youth Competition Division

Ticket Price: $25.00. Purchase tickets HERE. All purchased tickets will be held for pickup at the CIM Pogue Lobby Festival ticket table starting 45 minutes before each Festival concert.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: Ascencio, Barrios, Castelnuovo-Tedexco, Llobet, Regondi, and Rodrigo 
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
Sample Artist Video: TBD

Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Jonathan Leathwood: 
Saturday, June 6, 1:30 - 2:45 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: Imaginative Arrangement on the Guitar
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
 
Guitar and Harp
DAVIN-LEVIN DUO (USA)
Concert: Saturday, June 6, 7:30 - 9:30 pm

"[A] clearly felicitous combination of two plucked string instruments.... riveting pacing and subtle rubato…a masterful performance.”  (Cleveland Classical) 

Ticket Price: $25.00. Purchase tickets HERE. All purchased tickets will be held for pickup at the CIM Pogue Lobby Festival ticket table starting 45 minutes before each Festival concert.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Duo guitar and harp works by: J.S. Bach. Brouwer, M.D. Pujol, Glass, and Ravel
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
Sample Artists' Video: Etude no. 6 by Philip Glass

Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Master guitar maker Daniele Chiesa (Spain)
Saturday, June 6, 6:00 to 7:15 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: The Guitar Maker's Art, Understanding double top guitar construction
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
 
Solo Guitar and
Guitar with Flute and Viola
NICOLO SPERA (Italy) and FRIENDS (USA)
Concert: Sunday, June 7, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

"Spera’s joy in playing this music was contagious to all, making this a performance to relish and remember." 
(Sharps & Flatirons) 

Ticket Price: $25.00. Purchase tickets HERE. All purchased tickets will be held for pickup at the CIM Pogue Lobby Festival ticket table starting 45 minutes before each Festival concert.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Solo guitar and guitar and ensemble works by: Bresnick, Micheli, Pann, and Theofanidis
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
Sample Artists' Video: Spring Verses: Energico giocoso by Christopher Theofanidis performed by Nicolò Spera, guitar and Christine Jennings, flute

Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Jonathan Leathwood:
Sunday, June 7, 11:30 am to 12:45 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: Finding Ease at the Guitar: A Workshop in the Alexander Technique
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
 
Viennese and Modern Guitars
PETRA POLACKOVA (Czech Republic)
Concert: Sunday, June 7, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

"[Polácková's] playing was so technically secure and musically insightful, it was unimaginable that anything she played could possibly be difficult." (Cleveland Classical)

Ticket Price $25.00. Purchase tickets HERE. All purchased tickets will be held for pickup at the CIM Pogue Lobby Festival ticket table starting 45 minutes before each Festival concert.
Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,
11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Works by: J.S. Bach, Collins, Dowland, Narvaez, and Torroba
Information: Click HERE or call 216-752-7502
Sample Artist Video: El testament D'Amelia arranged by Miguel Lpbet (1878–1938)

Pre-Concert Lecture presented by Jonathan Leathwood
Sunday, June 7, 3:00 to 3:50 pm, CIM Room 113
Topic: Post-Concert Discussion with guitarist Nicolò Spera
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
 
Seventh Annual
JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR YOUTH COMPETITION
FINAL ROUND:
Over $20,000.00 in Cash Prizes
Sunday, June 7, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall, 11021 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (Directions)
Description: The four 2026 Stroud Competition Finalists will perform before the public and a panel of internationally acclaimed  judges. Prizes will be announced at the end of this Round.
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets or passes required
2026 Final Round Judges: Colin Davin (USA), Jonathan Leathwood (England), Kevin Loh (Singapore), Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), Nicolò Spera (Italy), Jason Vieaux (USA), Hao Yang (China)
Information: Click HERE 
 
Closing Dinner
26th ANNUAL CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL
GUITAR FESTIVAL®
Sunday, June 7, 9:30 pm

Location: Valerio's Ristorante
12405 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Admission: Open to all Festival participants.
Telephone: 216-421-8049
Attendees pay their own tab.
DONATE
Support Cleveland International
Classical Guitar Festival events
with a tax deductible donation.
2025 Program Book
Additional Support Provided By:
  • The Augustine Foundation
  • Alpha Graphics
  • ClevelandClassical.com
  • Cleveland Chamber Music Society
  • Cleveland Scene
  • David W. Hershberger
  • Friends of CICGF
  • Glidden House
  • Les Delices
  • Pat Kilkenny
  • Rodgers Tuning Machines
  • The Plain Dealer
  • This is Classical Guitar
  • Thompson Hine LLP
  • WCLV 104.9 FM
  • WCPN 90.3 FM