CICGF^® Artists' Profiles

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

Jason Vieaux Biography

Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar - CIM Guitar Department Head

[Grammy Award Winner]

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

Jason Vieaux is a musician noted for virtuosic and stirring performances, imaginative programming, and uncommon communicative gifts. He has performed as concerto soloist with nearly 100 orchestras, including Cleveland, Houston, Toronto, San Diego, Fort Worth, and Buffalo...

Julien Labro Biography

Julien Labro (France), accordion/accordina

What accordionist Julien Labro does is fly, launching a solo that simply bubbles with joy. (All About Jazz)

Deemed “brilliant” by Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune, Julien Labro has established himself as one of the foremost accordion and bandoneon players in both the classical and jazz worlds. His artistry, virtuosity, and creativity as a musician, composer and arranger have...

Ricardo Gallén Biography

Ricardo Gallén (Spain), guitar

Flawless interpretation and charisma and exquisite technique and particularly beautiful sound.... (Diario de Cordoba)

Ricardo Gallén has given highly acclaimed solo recitals and performed in concerts under the direction of well-known conductors throughout Europe and America. He has received over twenty international prizes, including First Prize at the 32nd Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition and...

Duo Melis Biography

Duo Melis (Spain & Greece), guitars

Their Bay Area debut... revealed an ensemble notable for sensitive musicianship, virtuosic panache, and stylish performances. (San Francisco Classical Voice)

One of the world's most lauded guitar duos, Duo Melis has performed at many of the most prestigious Festivals and concert halls in Europe and America. Their repertory extends from the Baroque period to the music of Piazzolla and Ginastera...

Antonis Hatzinikolaou Biography

Antonis Hatzinikolaou (Greece), guitar

[Julian Bream Prize Winner]

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

Antonis Hatzinikolaou has received the highest awards in numerous international guitar competitions. After receiving the Park Lane Group Young Artist Award he made his Purcell Room debut, which led to professional engagements that have taken him to Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Spain and the UK. Highlights include London’s Queen Elizabeth...

Colin Davin Biography

Colin Davin (USA), guitar

Mr Davin is the real thing, a player with a virtuoso's technique, a deeply expressive musicianship, and a probing imagination. (American Record Guide)

Hailed for his "precision, musical intelligence, and passion” (Clevelandclassical), Colin Davin has emerged as one of today’s most dynamic young artists. Regarded as one of the most exciting talents of the classical guitar today, he has earned a reputation as a virtuoso guitarist and interpreter of great refinement...

Estelí Gomez Biography

Estelí Gomez (USA), soprano

[Grammy Award Winner]

Artistry that belies her young years.... (Kansas City Metropolis)

Praised for her "clear, bright voice" (New York Times), soprano Estelí Gomez is quickly gaining recognition as a stylish interpreter of early and contemporary repertoires. In January 2014 she was awarded a Grammy with contemporary octet Roomful of Teeth, for best chamber music/small ensemble performance; in November 2011 she received first prize in the Canticum Gaudium International Early Music...

Nigel North Biography

Nigel North (England), lute - CICGF Guest Artist in Residence

[Gramophone Award Winner]

Perhaps he is the greatest performer on his instrument of all time.... (Birmingham Post)

World renowned British lutenist Nigel North is a soloist, accompanist, scholar, and teacher. He has participated in over two hundred recording projects including twenty solo CDs. His Naxos CDs of the solo lute works of John Dowland have gained him a garland of critical acclaim. And his four CD set, Bach on the Lute, is regarded...

Petra Polácková Biography

Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar - CICGF Guest Artist in Residence

First prize at the 36th International Guitar Competition Gargnano (Italy)

Since 2003 classical guitarist Petra Polácková has won numerous national and international guitar competitions. As a result of her competition successes she has been invited to perform at many of Europe’s most prestigious guitar festivals, including: Bonn, Vienna, Rust, Mikulov, Budapest, Madrid, Genéve, and Tel-Aviv...

Joshia de Jonge Biography

Joshia de Jonge (Canada), master guitar maker

If the term "Child Prodigy" can be applied to luthiers, Joshia de Jonge certainly qualifies. (Classical Guitar)

Joshia de Jonge writes: "Growing up in a family of guitar makers it was not unusual for us to have dinner-table debates about Sitka versus Englemann, Indian Rosewood versus Brazilian. My brothers and I strived to out-do each other and meet the high standards of our father, Sergei de Jonge. I was thirteen when I built my first guitar in 1992..."

About Guitars International

Guitars International (USA), Demonstration and Exhibit of Fine Classical Guitars From Around The World

Celebrating Over Twenty-Eight Years of Musical Excellence

Established in 1990, Guitars International shows its guitars by appointment in its Cleveland, Ohio showroom; it also ships its guitars nationally for audition on seventy-two hours approval. Its goal is to match each client – student, teacher, concert artist, aficionado, or collector – with the classical guitar which will inspire the greatest artistry and joy...

https://www.guitarsint.com/artist/Cleveland_Suzuki_Guitar_Ensemble

About the Cleveland Suzuki Guitar Ensemble

Cleveland Suzuki Guitar Ensemble (USA)

Music School Settlement

Five young students of classical guitarist Robert Gruca will perform. Robert Gruca is the founder and Director of the Suzuki Guitar Program at The Music Settlement of Cleveland. Mr. Gruca received his Master of Music degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with classical guitarists John Holmquist and Jason Vieaux...

https://www.guitarsint.com/artist/Cleveland_Bella_Corda_Ensemble

About the Cleveland Bella Corda Ensemble

Cleveland Childbloom Youth Guitarists (USA)

Cleveland Bella Corda Ensemble

Five young students of classical guitarist Brian Kozak, Director of the Cleveland Childbloom Guitar Program, will perform. Mr. Kozak has taught guitar at Baldwin-Wallace College and Kent State University. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and Baldwin-Wallace College with degrees in Classical Guitar Performance...

Mixon Hall

Additional Support Provided By:

Alpha Graphics
Azica Records
Bam l'Original Cases
ClevelandClassical.com
Cleveland Chamber Music Society
Cleveland Scene
David W. Hershberger
Friends of CICGF
Glidden House
Guitar Foundation of America
Jonathan Wentworth Ltd.
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

CICGF® Artists' Profiles

CICGF^® Artists' Profiles