CICGF^® 2026 Artists' Profiles

Where the Musical Arts Flourish

Jason Vieaux, biography

Grammy Award Winner

[Jason Vieaux is] perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation.... (NPR)

Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “among the elite of today's classical guitarists” (Gramophone), is the guitarist that goes beyond the classical. NPR describes Vieaux as, “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation.” Among his extensive discography is the 2015 Grammy Award ...

Matthew Dane, biography

Matthew Dane (USA), viola

As a chamber collaborator violist Matthew Dane has performed with many ensembles, including the Takács Quartet, the Dorian Wind Quintet, Houston-based CONTEXT, Athelas Ensemble (Denmark), the Fischer Duo, and the Portland String Quartet among others. Dane earned tenure as Associate Professor of Viola at the University of Oklahoma (2000-2007) and was previously a teaching assistant at Rice University's Shepherd School and Amherst College. He has taught at the University of Colorado and is currently Director of Chamber Music for the Greater Boulder...

Colin Davin, biography

Colin Davin (USA), guitar

[S]ome of the finest interpretations I’ve heard.... (American Record Guide)

Guitarist Colin Davin enjoys a wide-ranging international career as a recital and concerto soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, new music multi-instrumentalist, and educator. He has been praised as “the real thing, a player with a virtuoso’s technique, a deeply expressive musicianship, and a probing imagination” (American Record Guide) who “has the distinct ability to wring the depths of expressiveness from all that he plays” (Classical Guitar Magazine)....

Antonis Hatzinikolaou, biography

Antonis Hatzinikolaou (Greece), guitar/master guitar maker

Magnificent...simply magnificent! This is playing of the highest standard. (Classical Guitar Magazine)

"A professional musician and concert artist myself, I understand the importance of performing on an instrument that not only feels comfortable but also inspires you to play your best. By paying attention to both sound and aesthetics I strive to create a guitar that will please all my senses before anyone else’s..."

Christina Jennings, biography

Christina Jennings (USA), flute

Jennings has got what it takes: a distinctive voice, charisma and a pyrotechnic style that works magic on the ears. (The Houston Press)

Flutist Christina Jennings relishes an artistic life comprised of sharing music with audiences and students. Her search for beauty and meaning leads her to explore diverse music and approaches with a wide range of artistic partners and young musicians. Highlights from upcoming and recent seasons include the premiere...

Cecil Refik Kaya, biography

Celil Refik Kaya (Turkey/USA), guitar/composer

First Prize in the 2012 JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition with the Buffalo Philharmonic

Since his concert debut at the age of 6, Turkish-American guitarist Dr. Celil Refik Kaya has received high promised repetitions and accolades for his myriad accomplishments at an early age, being the youngest to win First Prize in the 2012 JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition with the Buffalo Philharmonic; prizewinner of international guitar competitions including Sofia Bulgaria, Naxos Greece...

Jonathan Leathwood, biography

Jonathan Leathwood (England), lecturer/guitar

Jonathan Leathwood is a genius. (Classical Guitar)

Jonathan Leathwood is Teaching Professor at Denver University's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences' Lamont School of Music. He is one of the few guitarists to perform on six-string and ten-string guitars, mixing modern and traditional works in his innovative programs. His last London concert led Classical Guitar to call him “a genius,” the Musical Times of London has written of his “remarkable talent and singular artistry”...

Emily Levin, biography

Emily Levin (USA), harp

Emily Levin was a standout....[Levin] drew nuanced timbres and textures while making the mechanics of her instrument disappear. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

The youngest principal harpist of a major American orchestra, Emily has performed at Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the World Harp Congress, the Aspen Music Festival, and with the Jerusalem and Colorado Symphony Orchestras, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Colorado Chamber Players, and...

Muxin Li, biography

Muxin Li (China), guitar

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

Muxin Li, born 2007, is a guitarist from Hangzhou, China. She began her guitar studies at the age of three under Liyan Weng, Le Li, and Qianlong Xie. At the age of eight, she won third prize in the artists group at Changsha International Guitar Festival (

China

). She made her solo concert debut at the age of ten at the Concert Hall of Shanghai Conservatory of Music Middle School...

Kevin Loh, biography

Kevin Loh (Singapore), guitar

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.

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...

Petra Polácková, biography

Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), Viennese and Modern guitars

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

As a result of her extraordinary musicianship, consummate virtuosity, and numerous first place competition prizes, Petra Polácková has been invited to perform and lead master classes at many prestigious European and non-European guitar festivals...

Nicolò Spera, biography

Nicolò Spera (Italy), 6 and 10 string guitars

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

Italian guitarist Nicolò Spera is one of the few guitarists to perform on both six-string and ten-string guitars. He has published recordings of the complete guitar works by Maurice Ohana; new commissioned works for guitar and choir; his own transcriptions of Bach’s Cello Suites; selected works by Catalan composers Federico Mompou and Enrique Granados; a recording focused on...

Hao Yang, biography

Hao Yang (China), guitar

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.

Concert classical guitarist Hao Yang has won top prizes in numerous competitions: including the 2024 Koblenz Guitar Competition, 54th Markneukirchen International Instrumental competition, the GFA International Youth Competition, CSU International Guitar Competition, and Andres Segovia 7th International Guitar Competition...

2026 Program Book

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CICGF® 2026 Artists' Profiles

CICGF^® 2026 Artists' Profiles