James Stroud

Classical Guitar Competition

2026

presented by the

Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®

hosted at the

Cleveland Institute of Music

Announcements

ATTENTION: ALL 2026 STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS:
(3/27/2026)


This year there are six Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival three-hour master classes on Friday, June 5 - three in the morning, three in the afternoon.

The CICGF has graciously reserved four FREE performance spots for Stroud Semi-Finalists, NOT chosen to compete in the Competition's Final Round, in each of these six master classes. Thus, the twelve Semi-Finalists not eligible to compete in the Final round will have the opportunity to perform in two CICGF master classes, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.

In order to assign who performs in these master classes, we request that EVERY Semi-Finalist provide us with:

A. Three instructor choices in order of preference for the morning master classes,

B. Three instructor choices in order of preference for the afternoon master classes.

This year's six CICGF master classes are:

MORNING:

Master Class 1: Friday, June 7, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Instructors: Hao Yang & Kevin Loh (China & Singapore), guitars

Master Class 2: Friday, June 7, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Instructor: Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar

Master Class 3: Friday, June 7, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Instructor: Colin Davin (USA), guitar

AFTERNOON:

Master Class 4: Friday, June 7, 2:00 to 5:00 pm

Instructor: Nicolò Spera (Italy), guitar

Master Class 5: Friday, June 7, 2:00 to 5:00 pm

Instructor: Jonathan Leathwood (England), guitar

Master Class 6: Friday, June 7, 2:00 to 5:00 pm

Instructor: Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar

Finally, all sixteen Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists are ENCOURAGED to attend this year's six FREE CICGF pre-concert lectures, five presented by classical guitarist Jonathan Leathwood (England), one presented by guitar maker Daniele Chiesa (Spain). All six lectures have been created with this year's Semi-Finalists in mind.

I look forward to receiving your prompt responses.

With best wishes,

James Stroud, Director

James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

stroudcompetition@gmail.com

ATTENTION: 2026 STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS:
(3/14/2026)

On Sunday, March 15 I will email the 2026 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round set piece to all Semi-Finalists who have submitted to me (1) their complete Semi-Finalist acceptance notice, (2) their biographical head and shoulders color photo, and (3) their biography (See 2026 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round rules for details). 

NOTE: Semi-Finalists who have not submitted their acceptance materials to me must do so before they will be sent the 2026 set piece.

With best wishes,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
stroudcompetition@gmail.com 

2026 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED:
(2/27/2026)

Many thanks to all the students who submitted applications and audition videos for the 2026 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition. All of your videos were well prepared and showed considerable forethought. 

Please read this announcement carefully as it lays out not only instructions for this year's Semi-Finalists but also important information for those of you who did not advance to this year's Semi-Final Round.

For those of you who did not advance but would like my evaluation of your video performances, you can contact me at jamstroud@gmail.com to set up either a phone call or zoom call. 

This year saw many new entrants and the overall level of playing continued to improve markedly. If you are in the 8th-11th grade and did not advance to this year's Semi-Final Round, keep practicing and please consider re-applying to next year's Competition. I see impressive improvements each year in your age group.

The 2026 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Semi-Finalists are:

Aswin Ashok  (South Carolina)

Paloma Chaprnka (Michigan)

Augie Ho-Chen (Minnesota)

Justin Chen (California)

Wohaan Dissanayake (New York)

Damian Gadiyak (Maryland)

Ryan Ivanov (Illinois)

Ruqi Jiang (Pennsylvania)

Tae Kim (New York)

Lukas Lin (California)

Micah Montgomery (California)

Campbell Muffly  (California)

Andrei Orasanu (Connecticut)

Noah Richer (Connecticut)

Alicia Suen (Florida)

Catalina Wert (Ohio)


If any Semi-Finalist cannot join us in Cleveland, Ohio June 3-7, 2026, please let me know ASAP so we can make arrangements for an alternate competitor.

NOTE: All Semi-Finalists MUST submit the following information by email to James Stroud by Sunday, March 15, 2026:

1. Confirmation that you accept the 2026 Stroud Competition's Semi-Finalist Award.

2. Confirmation that you plan to attend and perform in the 2026 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round to be held Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and, if selected, the Final Round to be held Sunday, June 7, 2026 also at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

3. Confirmation that at least one of your legal guardians will accompany you to Cleveland, Ohio and during all Stroud Competition events at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

4. The full name, street address, e-mail address, and cell phone number of the legal guardian who will accompany you to and during the Stroud Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.

5. A high-resolution color photo file (300 dpi or higher, print quality, jpg format only) of the Semi-Finalist's face and shoulders which is suitable for publicity purposes and free of copyright. This photo will be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. The Semi-Finalist cannot appear before a window in this photo. NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this photo file before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

6. The Semi-Finalist's biography free of copyright to be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. This biography must be no less than ninety-five and no more than one hundred and five words: In addition to your background and interests in music, please share with us some of your non-music interests. (See the 2024 Semi-Finalists' page for some sample contestant biographies). NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this biography before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

Provided we receive all the above in a timely manner, we will send the required 2026 Semi-Final Round set piece to qualified Semi-Finalists by Friday, March 20, 2026.

NOTE: All 2026 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists and their guardians must arrive in Cleveland, Ohio by Wednesday, June 3 in time to attend James Stroud's Orientation meeting at 5:00 pm Eastern Time at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,11021 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Semi-Finalists will be assigned their Thursday, June 4 performance times and given last minute instructions at this meeting.

Once again, thank you all for your submissions. It has been an honor and pleasure to listen to your videos. Best of luck to you all!

Sincerely,

James Stroud

Founder and Grantor

James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

2026 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION PRELIMINARY ROUND APPLICANTS:
(2/18/2026)

We are pleased to announce that 29 applicants from 13 states have submitted amazing Preliminary Round videos to this year's national youth competition. Thank you all. 

We plan to announce this year's Semifinalists here March 1st. 

Sincerely
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

ATTENTION 7TH JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS AND THEIR GUARDIANS:
(1/20/2026)

All Stroud Competition applicants who accept our invitation to compete in the 2026 Semi-Final Round of this year's Competition must attend, in the company of at least one guardian, James Stroud's private Orientation Meeting on Wednesday, June 3, at 5:00pm, at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall, 11021 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. See Directions to CIM.

Please direct all questions or support requests to: stroudcompetition@gmail.com .

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

SEVENTH ANNUAL JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION ANNOUNCED:
(9/15/2025)

We will accept applications to the Seventh Annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition from January 1, 2026, to February 15, 2026, at 11:00pm PST, on this website's Entry Form.

All 2026 Stroud Competition applicants must submit their completed application, $75.00 non-refundable entrance fee, and two Preliminary Round YouTube video links on this website's ENTRY FORM. Please read the Official 2026 Stroud Competition RULES for complete applicant entry requirements.

We encourage all applicants to submit their completed Entry Form, Two YouTube Video Links, and Entry Fee well before the entry deadline in case of any technical difficulty.

We will announce the 2026 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists on this website's Announcements' page by  Friday, March 6, 2026. The decisions of the judges will be final.

We will send the required 2026 Semi-Final Round set piece to qualified Semi-Finalists by Friday, March 20, 2026.             


APPLICANTS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS PLEASE NOTE: We seek classical guitar students who demonstrate:

1. Informed musicality, 
2. Artistic insight,
3. Creativity,
4. Enlightened musical phrasing, articulation, rhythmic awareness, and use of timbre,
5. Technical refinement,
6. Stage presence and poise.

FINAL ROUND PRIZES:

1st Place: $10,000.00
2nd Place:  $5,000.00
3rd Place:   $2,500.00
4th Place:   $1,250.00

Please direct all questions or support requests to: stroudcompetition@gmail.com .

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition.
2025 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION FINAL ROUND WINNERS ANNOUNCED:
(5/3/2023)

The 2025 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Final Round winners are:

Preston Hong, First Prize $10,000.00 US
Hilbert Chen, Second Prize $5000.00 US
Andrei Orasanu, Third Prize $2500.00 US
Noah Richer, Fourth Prize $1250.00 US

Congratulations and many thanks to all this years' Finalists and Semi-Finalists for sharing their enthusiasm and wonderful musical accomplishments with us.

With best wishes,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
2025 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION FINALISTS ANNOUNCED:
(3/1/2020)

The four 2025 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Finalists are:

Preston Hong
Hilbert Chen
Anndrei Orasanu
Noah Richer

Congratulation and good luck to all four of you.

Sincerely,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
UPDATED CICGF MASTER CLASS SCHEDULE 2025:
(6/5/2025)

WE EXPECT ALL STUDENT PERFORMERS TO ARRIVE TEN MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF THEIR DESIGNATED MASTER CLASS. 

Instructors, times, locations, and student performers:

Petra Polácková 
Friday, June 6, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
CIM Room 229
Paloma Chaprnka
Kiran Lee
Rugi Jiang
Mia Embree Stone

Patterson-Sutton Duo
Friday, June 6, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
CIM Room 201
Brandon Kim
Oliver Chen
Beckett Ceron

Jonathan Leathwood
Friday, June 6, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
CIM Room 227
Amy Wert
Allen Liu
Alicia Suen

Alan Mearns
Friday, June 6, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
CIM Room 201
Kiran Lee
Oliver Chen
Brandon Kim
Alicia Suen

Jason Vieaux 
Friday, June 6, 2:00 to 5:00 pm
CIM Room 229
Amy Wert
Allen Liu
Mia Stone
Beckett Ceron

STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINAL ROUND PERFORMANCE POSITIONS
(5/10/2025)

SIXTH ANNUAL JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION 

SEMI-FINAL ROUND PERFORMNCE TIMES:

Thursday, June 5, 2025

10:00am Rugi Jiang
10;15am Kiran Lee
10:30am Oliver Chen
10:45am Noah Richer

11:00am 10 minute break

11:10am Mia Stone
11:25 am Allen Liu
11:40am Preston Hong
11:55am Paloma Chaprnka

12:10-1:45 Lunch Break

1:45pm Micah Montgomery
2:00pm Sonya Wert
2:15pm Hilbert Chen
2:30pm Alicia Suen

2:45pm 10 Minute Break

2:55pm Brandon Kim
3:10pm Andrei Orasanu
3:25pm Tae Kim
3:40pm Beckett Ceron 

Good luck to all of you,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
Email: jamstroud@gmail.com

CICGF CONCERT & MASTER CLASS ACCESS INFORMATION:
(5/9/2025)

Attention all Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists and their guardians.

The Thursday, June 5, at 7:30 pm Hao Yang/Helen/Zhibing Huang, guitar & soprano CICGF opening concert will be FREE for ALL fifteen Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists and their guardians.

The remaining five CICGF concerts will be FREE for only the Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists but NOT their guardians. All Stroud Competition Semi-Finalist guardians will be required to purchase concert tickets. See CICGF tickets page HERE.

Performance positions in all CICGF master classes are FREE for all Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists who do not advance to the Stroud Competition Final Round. Contact Armin Kelly at armin@guitarsint.com for information.

All CICGF master classes are open to ALL Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists, their parents, and the public to AUDIT for FREE.

With best wishes,
Armin Kelly, Founder and Artistic Director
Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival
216-752-7502
armin@guitarsint.com 
FOR STROUD SEMI-FINALISTS: FREE CICGF 2025 MASTER CLASSES:
(4/25/2025)

Attention all Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists:

Please contact Armin Kelly at armin@guitarsint.com by MAY 10 for information about performing in up to TWO of this year's five FREE CICGF master classes on Friday, June 7. In your e-mail, please provide us with your first, second, and third choices for instructors.

NOTE: Only Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists who are not selected to perform in the Stroud Competition FINAL Round may perform in CICGF master classes. 

CICGF 2025 Master Class Instructors:

1. Jonathan Leathwood (England), guitar
2. Alan Mearns (Ireland), guitar
3. Patterson/Sutton Duo (USA), cello and guitar
4. Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar 
5. Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar

I look forward to hearing from you asap.

Sincerely,
Armin Kelly, Founder and Artistic Director
Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival
216-752-7502
armin@guitarsint.com 


ATTENTION STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS:
(4/25/2025)

All Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists must submit to me by email -  jamstroud@gmail.com - by May 10th EST your complete programs for BOTH this year's Semi-Final and Final Rounds.  

Please refer to the 2025 Stroud Competition Rules regarding this year's Semi-Final and Final Round program requirements. 

Keep in mind that in addition to the criteria enumerated below, your choice of works and the order in which you perform them can influence a judge's evaluation.

Sincerely, 
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
jamstroud@gmail.com

NOTE: Stroud Competition Competitors and Their Instructors: We seek classical guitar students who demonstrate:

1. Informed musicality, 
2. Artistic insight,
3. Creativity,
4. Thoughtful musical phrasing, articulation, and use of timbre,
5. Technical refinement,
6. Stage presence and poise.

ATTENTION ALL 2025 STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS:
(3/15/2025)

The 2025 Semi-Final Round set piece and the composer's notes and impressions have been emailed to everyone’s personal email address.

NOTE: Please pay close attention to this page for future announcements about the CICGF master class performance opportunities and schedule of everyone's Semi-Final Round performance time. Good luck to you all.

Sincerely,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
Email: jamstroud@gmail.com
ATTENTION ALL 2025 STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS
(3/12/2025)

We will send the 2025 Stroud Competition's required set piece to all QUALIFIED Semi-Finalists on Saturday, March 15th.

NOTE: In order to be a 2025 QUALIFIED Semi-Finalist and receive this set piece you must first provide James Stroud with the following information:

1. Confirmation that you accept the 2025 Stroud Competition's Semi-Finalist Award.

2. Confirmation that you plan to attend and perform in the 2025 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round to be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and, if selected, the Final Round to be held Sunday, June 8, 2025 also at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

3. Confirmation that at least one of your legal guardians will accompany you to Cleveland, Ohio and during all Stroud Competition events at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

4. The full name, street address, e-mail address, and cell phone number of the legal guardian who will accompany you to and during the Stroud Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.

5. A high-resolution color photo file (300 dpi or higher, print quality, jpg format only) of the Semi-Finalist's face and shoulders which is suitable for publicity purposes and free of copyright. This photo will be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. The Semi-Finalist cannot appear before a window in this photo. NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this photo file before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round required set piece.

6. The Semi-Finalist's biography free of copyright to be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. This biography must be no less than ninety-five and no more than one hundred and five words: In addition to your background and interests in music, please share with us some of your non-music interests. (See the 2024 Semi-Finalists' page for some sample contestant biographies). NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this biography before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

Sincerely,
James Stroud
Founder and Grantor
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
Email: jamstroud@gmail.com
2025 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED:
(2/26/2025)


Many thanks to all the students who submitted applications and audition videos for the 2025 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition. All of your videos were well prepared and showed considerable forethought.

Please read this announcement carefully as it lays out not only instructions for this year's Semi-Finalists but also important information for those of you who did not advance to this year's Semi-Final Round.

For those of you who did not advance but would like my evaluation of your video performances, you can contact me at jamstroud@gmail.com to set up either a phone call or zoom call.

This year saw many new entrants and the overall level of playing continued to improve markedly. If you are in the 8th-11th grade and did not advance to this year's Semi-Final Round, keep practicing and please consider re-applying to next year's Competition. I see impressive improvements each year in your age group.

The 2025 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Semi-Finalists are:

Beckett Ceron (Ohio)
Paloma Chaprnka (Michigan)
Hilbert Chen (California)
Oliver Chen (New York)
Preston Hong (California)
Ruqi Jiang (Pennsylvania)
Brandon Kim (Texas)
Tae Kim (New York)
Kiran Lee (California)
Allen Liu (Texas)
Micah Montgomery (California)
Andrei Orasanu (Connecticut)
Noah Richer (Connectcutt)
Mia Stone (South Carolina)
Alicia Suen (Florida)
Sonya Wert (Ohio)

If any Semi-Finalist cannot join us in Cleveland, Ohio June 4-8, 2025, please let me know ASAP so we can make arrangements for an alternate competitor.

NOTE: All Semi-Finalists MUST submit the following information by email to James Stroud by Friday, March 14, 2025: 

1. Confirmation that you accept the 2025 Stroud Competition's Semi-Finalist Award.

2. Confirmation that you plan to attend and perform in the 2025 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round to be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and, if selected, the Final Round to be held Sunday, June 8, 2025 also at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

3. Confirmation that at least one of your legal guardians will accompany you to Cleveland, Ohio and during all Stroud Competition events at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

4. The full name, street address, e-mail address, and cell phone number of the legal guardian who will accompany you to and during the Stroud Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.

5. A high-resolution color photo file (300 dpi or higher, print quality, jpg format only) of the Semi-Finalist's face and shoulders which is suitable for publicity purposes and free of copyright. This photo will be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. The Semi-Finalist cannot appear before a window in this photo. NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this photo file before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

6. The Semi-Finalist's biography free of copyright to be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. This biography must be no less than ninety-five and no more than one hundred and five words: In addition to your background and interests in music, please share with us some of your non-music interests. (See the 2024 Semi-Finalists' page for some sample contestant biographies). NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this biography before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

Provided we receive all the above in a timely manner, we will send the required 2025 Semi-Final Round set piece to qualified Semi-Finalists by Monday, March 17, 2025.

Once again, thank you all for your submissions. It has been an honor and pleasure to listen to your videos. Best of luck to you all!

Sincerely,
James Stroud
Founder and Grantor
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
THE 6TH JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW OVER.
(2/16/2025)

Many thanks to all of this year's applicants for your terrific video submissions. This year we received twenty-five Preliminary Round applications from ten states across the USA: California, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

We will announce this year's Semi-Finalists on this page on or around Monday, March 3rd, 2025. Qualified Semi-Finalists (see important Semi-Finalist rules) will receive the Set piece written by composer James Piorkowski by Monday, March 17th.

This year's Semi-Final Round will be held live on Thursday, June 5th at the Cleveland Institute of Music as part of the 25th Annual Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®.

Congratulations and again many thanks to this year's applicants for sharing your enthusiasm, talent, hard work, and musical accomplishment with us. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to all of your video performances.

Sincerely,
James Stroud, Founder and Director.
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
SIXTH ANNUAL JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION ANNOUNCED:
(8/4/2024)
We will accept applications to the Sixth annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition from Wednesday, January 1, 2025 through midnight PST, Saturday, February 15 on this website's Entry Form.

All 2025 Stroud Competition applicants must submit their completed application, $75.00 non-refundable entrance fee, and two Preliminary Round YouTube video links on this website's ENTRY FORM. Please read the Official 2025 Stroud Competition RULES for complete applicant entry requirements.

We encourage all applicants to submit their completed Entry Form, Two YouTube Video Links, and Entry Fee well before the entry deadline in case of any technical difficulty.

We will announce the 2025 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists on this website's Announcements' page by Monday, March 3, 2025. We will send the 2025 required set piece to qualified Semi-Finalists by Monday, March 17, 2025.


APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: We seek classical guitar students who demonstrate:

1. Informed musicality, 
2. Artistic insight,
3. Creativity,
4. Thoughtful musical phrasing, articulation, and use of timbre,
5. Technical refinement,
6. Stage presence and poise.

FINAL ROUND PRIZES:

1st Place: $10,000.00
2nd Place:  $5,000.00
3rd Place:   $2,500.00
4th Place:   $1,250.00

Please direct all questions or support requests to: stroudcompetition@gmail.com.

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition.
5TH ANNUAL JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED:
(6/10/2024)

This year's Stroud National Youth Competition winners are:

Elle Davisson: 1st Prize ($10,000.00)
Micah Montgomery: 2nd Prize ($5000.00)
Hilbert Chen: 3rd Prize (2500.00)
Preston Hong: 4th Prize ($1250.00)

Congratulations and best wishes to you all!
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition.
2024 STROUD COMPETITION FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
(6/7/2024)

The four finalists in the 2024 James Stroud National Classical Guitar Youth Competition are:

Hilbert Chen
Elle Davisson
Preston Hong
Micah Montgomery

Many thanks to all our wonderful Semi-Finalists. Your obvious hard work, talent, artistry, and enthusiasm made the judges' decisions particularly challenging to make this year.

The Final Round will stream live from the Cleveland Institute of Music's Mixon Hall this Sunday evening, June 8, starting at 6:39pm Eastern Time.

Good luck to our amazing Finalists.
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

ATTENTION ALL STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS
(5/22/2024)

We are offering complimentary master classe performace positions to those Semi-Finalists who do not advance to this year's Final  Round.

As a result, I need everyone to send me an email stating:

1. If you wish to perform in a Festival master class

2. And if so, the order of preference of who you wish to perform for (up to three artists)

This year's artist instructors are:

A. Lorenzo Micheli (Italy), guitar
B. Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar
C. Nicolo Spera (Italy), guitar
D. Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar and Mari Sato (USA). violin
E. Hao Yang (China), guitar and Jonathan Leathwood (England), guitar

We cannot guarantee your preferences but will do our best to accommidate everyone.

Sincerely,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

ATTENTION STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS:
(4/22/2024)

All Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists must e-mail to me their two Competition programs by Friday May 3, 2024:

1. Your Semi-Final Round program;

2. Your Final Round program should you be selected to be one of this June's Finalists.

Make sure your programs conform to the specific requirements of each round by referring to this year's rules at:

https://www.guitarsint.com/stroud_competition_rules

Once again, please email your programs to me at jamstroud@gmail.com by Friday May 3, 2024.

Many thanks,
James Stroud
Founder and Grantor
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
STROUD COMPETITION 2024 SEMI-FINAL ROUND PERFORMANCE ORDER:
(4/14/2024)

Dear Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists,

Congratulations on advancing to the Semi-Final Round of this year's Competition. You are in an elite group of high school age guitarists. I am very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to your performances on Thursday, June 6th.

SEMI-FINALISTS PLEASE NOTE: 

1. You and your guardian must arrive in Cleveland, Ohio by Wednesday, June 5 in order to perform on Thursday, June 6.

2. We expect you to attend our 5pm Orientation Meeting on Wednesday, June 5 in CIM's Pogue lobby. We will hand out your $500.00 travel stipend checks at this time.

3. This year's Stroud Competition Finalists will be announced Thursday evening, June 6th in CIM's Mixon Hall immediately following the Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival's opening concert.

4. The performance order for this year's Semi-Final Round follows:

10:00 Brandon Kim
10:15 Trent Park
10:30 Sonya Wert
10:45 Micah Montgomery

BREAK

11:15 Hilbert Chen
11:30 Paloma Chaprnka
11:45 Allen Liu
12:00 Owen Wang

LUNCH

1:45 Elle Davisson
2:00 Preston Hong
2:15 Joey Malvinni
2:30 Kiran Lee

BREAK

3:00 Matthew Kuplack
3:15 Laurel Harned
3:30 Andre Orasanu

ATTENTION STROUD COMPETITION SEMI-FIALISTSIS:
(3/23/2024)

All 2024 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists and their guardians must arrive in Cleveland, Ohio by Wednesday, June 5 in time to attend James Stroud's Orientation meeting at 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Mixon Hall,11021 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

Semi-Finalists will be assigned their Thursday, June 6 performance times and given last minute instructions at this meeting.

Access directions to the Cleveland Institute of Music HERE.
2024 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETIION SEMI-FINALISTS' BIOGRAPHIES
(3/21/2024)

Learn about this year's fifteen Stroud National Youth Competition Semi-Finalists HERE.
2024 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED:
(3/2/2024)

Many thanks to all the students who submitted applications and audition videos for the 2024 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition. All of your videos were well prepared and showed considerable forethought.

Please read this announcement carefully as it lays out not only instructions for this year's Semi-Finalists but also important information for those of you who did not advance to this year's Semi-Final Round.

For those of you who did not advance but would like my evaluation of your video performances. you can contact me at jamstroud@gmail.com to set up either a phone call or zoom call.

This year saw many new entrants and the overall level of playing continued to improve markedly. If you are in the 8th-11th grade and did not advance to this year's Semi-Final Round, keep practicing and please consider re-applying to next year's Competition. I see impressive improvements each year in your age group.

This year's Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists are:

Paloma Chapmka (MI)
Hilbert Chen (CA)
Elle Davisson (CA)
Laurel Harned (CA)
Preston Hong (CA)
Brandon Kim (TX)
Matthew Kuplack (PA)
Kiran Lee (CA)
Allen Liu (TX)
Joey Malvinni (CA)
Micah Montgomery (CA)
Andrei Orasanu (CT)
Trent Park (CA)
Owen Wang (NJ)
Sonya Wert (OH)

If any Semi-Finalist cannot join us in Cleveland, Ohio June 5-9, 2024, please let me know ASAP so we can make arrangements for an alternate competitor.

NOTE: All Semi-Finalists MUST submit the following information by email to James Stroud by Friday, March 15, 2024:

1. Confirmation that you accept the 2024 Stroud Competition's Semi-Finalist Award.

2. Confirmation that you plan to attend and perform live in the 2024 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round Thursday, June 6, 2024 and, if selected, the Final Round Sunday, June 9, 2024, both rounds to be held at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

3. Confirmation that at least one of your legal guardians will accompany you to Cleveland, Ohio and during all Stroud Competition events at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

4. The full name, street address, email address, and cell phone number of the legal guardian who will accompany you to and during the Stroud Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.

5. A high-resolution color photo file (300 dpi or higher, print quality, jpg format only) of the Semi-Finalist's face and shoulders which is suitable for publicity purposes and free of copyright. This photo will be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. The Semi-Finalist cannot appear before a window in this photo. NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this photo file before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

6. The Semi-Finalist's biography free of copyright to be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. This biography must be no less than ninety-five and no more than one hundred and five words. In addition to your background and interests in music, please share with us some of your non-music interests. (See the 2023 Semi-Finalists' page for some sample contestant biographies). NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this biography before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

Provided we receive all the above in a timely manner, we will send the required 2024 Semi-Final Round set piece to qualified Semi-Finalists by Friday, March 15, 2024.

Once again, thank you all for your submissions. It has been an honor and pleasure to listen to your videos. Best of luck to you all!

Sincerely,
James Stroud
Founder and Grantor
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

2024 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION PRELIMINARY ROUND SUMMATION:
(2/18/2024)

Congratulations to all of our fine competitors for your terrific videos. This year we received 33 Preliminary Round applications from across the USA and Puerto Rico, including: Arizona, California, Florida, Ohio, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

We will announce this year's Semi-Finalists on this page by March 3rd. Semi-Finalists will receive the Set piece written by composer Thomas Flippin by Friday, March 15th.

The Semi-Final Round will be held live on Thursday, June 6th at the Cleveland Institute of Music as part of the 24th annual Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®.

Congratulations again and many thanks to this year's applicants for sharing their enthusiasm, talent, hard work, and musical accomplishment with us. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to all of your performances.

Sincerely,
James Stroud Founder and Director.
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
2024 JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR YOUTH COMPETITION ANNOUNCED:
(10/21/2023)

FINAL CALL: Application information, entry fee, and YouTube video links for the fifth annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition will be accepted through Midnight PST, Saturday, February 17, 2024.

All 2024 Stroud Competition applicants must submit their completed application, entrance fee, and two Preliminary Round YouTube video links on this website's ENTRY FORM. Please see the Stroud Competition RULES for important requirements.

We encourage all applicants to submit their completed Entry Form, Two YouTube Video Links, and Entry Fee well before the entry deadline in case of any technical difficulty.

We will announce the 2024 Stroud Competition's Semi-Finalists on this page by Friday, March 1, 2024. The 2024 required set piece will be sent to all qualified Semi-Finalists by Friday, March 15, 2024.

2024 FINAL ROUND PRIZES:

1st Place: $10,000.00
2nd Place:  $5,000.00
3rd Place:   $2,500.00
4th Place:   $1,250.00

The 5th annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition is presented in cooperation with the 24th annual Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival® at and with support from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
2023 Stroud National Youth Competition Winners Announced
(6/8/2023)

The 4th annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition winners are:

Kaz Hudson - 1st Prize $10,000.00
Preston Hong - 2nd Prize $5000.00
Hilbert Chen - 3rd Prize $2500.00
Emilia Delgado - 4th Prize $1250.00

Congratulations to this year's Finalists and Semi-Finalists. Your talent, hard work, musicality, and instrumental proficiency are an inspiration to us all.

Best wishes to all of you in your future endeavors, musical and personal.

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

Armin Kelly, Founder and Artistic Director
Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®
FINAL ROUND Sunday, June 4, AT 6:30 pm
(6/4/2023)

The FINAL ROUND of the fourth annual JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR YOUTH COMPETITION will take place Sunday, June 4, at 6:30 pm at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Admission is free.

This year's Finalists are:

Hilbert Chen
Emilia Delgado
Preston Hong
Kaz Hudson


Over $20,000.00 In Cash Prizes
CALL FOR SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL ROUND PROGRAMS
(5/8/2023)

All 2023 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Semi-Finalists please send your programs for both the Semi-Final and Final Competition Rounds to:

jamstroud@gmail.com

And cc

armin@guitarsint.com.

You must send both programs to us ASAP!!!

Sincerely,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
FOURTH ANNUAL JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
(3/5/2023)
We are pleased to post below in alphabetical order our extraordinary 2023 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists. They come to us from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York. and Texas:

Hilbert Chen
Emilia Diaz Delgado
Laurel Harned
Preston Hong
Kaz Hudson
Tae Kim
Allen Liu
Joey Malvinni
Micah Montgomery
Lukas Murdych
Andrei Orasanu
Reade Park
Trent Park
Penelope Shvarts
Mei Yin Steadman

Each of the above Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists must submit the following information by e-mail to James Stroud at stroudcompetition@gmail.com by March 15, 2023:

1. Confirmation that you accept the 2023 Stroud Competition's Semi-Finalist Award.

2. Confirmation that you plan to attend and perform in the 2023 Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round to be held Friday, June 2, 2023 and, if selected, the Final Round to be held Sunday, June 4, 2023 at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

3. Confirmation that at least one of your legal guardians will accompany you to Cleveland, Ohio and during all Stroud Competition events at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

4. The full name, street address, e-mail address, and cell phone number of the legal guardian who will accompany you to and during the Stroud Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.

5. A high-resolution color photo file (300 dpi or higher, print quality, jpg format only) of the Semi-Finalist's face and shoulders which is suitable for publicity purposes and free of copyright. This photo will be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. The Semi-Finalist cannot appear before a window in this photo. NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this photo file before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

6. The Semi-Finalist's biography free of copyright to be used on the Competition and Festival web and Facebook pages and in the Festival's print program book. This biography must be no less than ninety-five and no more than one hundred and five words (See 2022 Semi-Finalists' page for sample contestant biographies). NOTE: The Stroud Competition must receive and approve this biography before a Semi-Finalist will be sent the Semi-Final Round set piece.

Provided we receive from you all the above in a timely manner, we will send the required 2023 Semi-Final Round set piece to you by March 16. 2023.

I look forward to meeting you and your parents at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio.

Best wishes,
James Stroud, Founder and Grantor
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
stroudcompetition@gmail.com

TO ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE FOURTH ANNUAL JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION
(3/3/2023)

Here are my thoughts and observations thus far:

First, the level of this year's competitors is without question the best I have seen so far. Not only the level of technical accomplishment and musicianship, but the consistency of students is very impressive across the board. There were no weak links to be found.

Second, if you do not make this year's Semi-Final Round but are still in High School in 2024, by all means apply again next year as your odds of advancing to the Semi-Final Round are likely to increase dramatically after another year of work and instruction. This year's instructors are to be commended for a job done beyond my expectations.

Third, please know that our Preliminary Round Judges took this experience very seriously and were very passionate (and excited) about this process and took great care in their votes. All of the judges were very impressed by your preparation, dedication, and overall amazing level of playing. Again, all of you should be extremely proud of your accomplishments.

We will post the names of this year's Semi-Finalists here this Sunday afternoon, March 5th. 2023.

Sincerely,
James Stroud
Founder and Grantor
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
THE 2023 STROUD COMPETITION APPLICATION PERIOD HAS ENDED.
(2/16/2023)

Good luck to this year's JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR YOUTH COMPETITION PRELIMINARY ROUND APPLICANTS. This year's thirty accomplished applicants come to us from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts. Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

We will announce the 2023 Competition's Semi-Finalists on this page by March 5, 2023.

The 2023 required set piece will be sent to all qualified Semi-Finalists by March 15. 2023.

2023 FINAL ROUND PRIZES:

1st Place: $10,000.00
2nd Place:  $5,000.00
3rd Place:   $2,500.00
4th Place:   $1,250.00
LAST CALL FOR 2023 STROUD COMPETITION APPLICATIONS:
(2/8/2023)

Application information, entry fee, and video links for the fourth annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition will be accepted through Midnight Eastern Time, February 15, 2023.

All 2023 Stroud Competition applicants must submit their completed application, entrance fee, and two Preliminary Round YouTube video links on this website's ENTRY FORM. Please see the Stroud Competition RULES for important requirements.

We encourage all applicants to submit their completed Entry Form, Two Videos, and Entry Fee well before the entry deadline in case of any technical difficulty.
2023 JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR YOUTH COMPETITION ANNOUNCED:
(7/31/2022)

Application information, entry fee, and video links for the fourth annual James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition will be accepted from January 1, 2023 through Midnight Eastern Time, February 15, 2023.

All 2023 Stroud Competition applicants must submit their completed application, entrance fee, and two Preliminary Round YouTube video links on this website's ENTRY FORM. Please see the Stroud Competition RULES for important requirements.

We encourage all applicants to submit their completed Entry Form, Two Videos, and Entry Fee well before the entry deadline in case of any technical difficulty.

We will announce the 2023 Competition's Semi-Finalists on this page by March 5, 2023. The 2023 required set piece will be sent to all qualified Semi-Finalists by March 15. 2023.

2023 FINAL ROUND PRIZES:

1st Place: $10,000.00
2nd Place:  $5,000.00
3rd Place:   $2,500.00
4th Place:   $1,250.00
The winners of the 2022 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition are:
(6/8/2022)

First Prize: Eric Wang
Second Prize: Reade Park
Third Prize: Ethan Boyers
Fourth Prize: Elle Davisson

Congratulations to all this year's Finalists and Semi-Finalists. Your talent, obvious hard work, musicality, and instrumental proficiency are an inspiration to us all.

Best wishes to all of you in your future endeavors, musical and personal.

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

Armin Kelly, Founder and Artistic Director
Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival®
Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round performance schedule announced:
(4/14/2022)

The 2022 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Semi-Finalists will perform in the following order at the times designated below on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Mixon Hall, 11021 East Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio 44106:

10:15am Owen Wang
10:30am Reuben Akins
10:45am Taylor Klinsky

11:00am Break

11:15am Colin Guan
11:30am Mira Morales
11:45am Trent Park

LUNCH

1:00pm Elle Davisson
1:15pm Reade Park
1:30pm Laurel Harned
1:45pm Ethan Boyers

2:00pm Break

2:15pm Eric Wang
2:30pm Hilbert Chen
2:45pm Lukas Murdych
Attention all 2022 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists:
(3/29/2022)

You must send to me BY APRIL 15, 2022 the works and composers, and their order for both (1) your Semi-Final Round program and (2) your Final Round program (in the event you are chosen to advance to the Final Round). Please forward both your Semi-Final and Final Round programs to me at: jamstroud@gmail.com

Many thanks,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

Attention 2022 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists:
(3/2/2022)

You will receive e-mailed instructions within the next 24 hours requesting a color photo and short biography to be posted on this website and printed in the 2022 Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival® program book.

Please provide your materials promptly.

Many thanks,
James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
The 2022 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Semi-Finalists
(2/26/2022)

We are pleased to announce that the 2022 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Preliminary Round judges have selected fourteen applicants to advance to this year's Stroud Competition Semi-Final Round to be held live on Friday, June 3, 2022 at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland Ohio. Our 2022 Semi-Finalists in alphabetical order are:

Reuben Akins
Ethan Boyers
Hilbert Chen
Elle Davisson
Colin Guan
Laurel Hamed
Taylor Klinsky
Mira Morales
Lukas Murdych
Reade Park
Trent Park
Ian Tubbs
Eric Wang
Owen Wang

Congratulations to this year's Semi-Finalists.

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition
The 2022 Preliminary Round Application Period Has Ended.
(2/16/2022)

Many thanks to all this year's many James Stroud National Classical Guitar Youth Competition Preliminary Round video applicants for sharing their enthusiasm, hard work, and impressive accomplishments with us. We will announce the 2022 Stroud Competition Semi-Finalists by March 1, 2022. Good luck and again many thanks to all our wonderful  applicants.

James Stroud, Founder and Director
James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition

Competition Entry Form
(12/22/2021)

The third annual James Stroud National Classical Guitar Youth Competition entry form can be accessed HERE.


2022 JAMES STROUD NATIONAL CLASSICAL GUITAR YOUTH COMPETITION JUDGES ANNOUNCED:
(11/23/2021)
Preliminary Round (video submissions only)
    Robert Gruca (USA), guitar
    Armin Kelly (USA), guitar
    Jack Sanders (USA), guitar
    Marco Sartor (Uruguay), guitar
    James Stroud (USA), guitar    
    
Semi-Final Round (live at the Cleveland Institute of Music)
    Stephen Aron (USA), guitar
    Molly Barth (USA), flute
    Jordon Chase (USA), composer
    Brad DeRoche (USA), guitar
    Dieter Hennings Yeomans (Germany), guitar
    Kimberly Patterson (USA), cello    
    Patrick Sutton (USA), guitar

Final Round (live at the Cleveland Institute of Music)
    Colin Davin (USA), guitar
    Drew Henderson (Canada), guitar       
    Yolanda Kondonassis (USA), harp
    Alexis Mousorakis (Greece), guitar
    Petra Polácková (Czech Republic), guitar
    Susana Prieto (Spain), guitar
    Jason Vieaux (USA), guitar

Access the biographies of all the 2022 Stroud Competition judges HERE.

2022 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR NATIONAL YOUTH COMPETITION update:
(10/24/2021)

All 2022 Stroud Competition applicants must submit their Preliminary Round applications and videos through this website's Entry Form by Midnight Eastern Time (12:00am ET), February 15, 2022.  Please see the Stroud Competition Rules page for important requirements.

We will announce the 2022 Competition's Semi-Finalists on this page by March 5, 2022. The 2022 required test piece will be sent to all Semi-Finalists by March 15. 2022.

Each Semi-Finalist will be given a $500 stipend to help defer travel expenses to and from the Cleveland International Classical Guitar Festival® to be held Thursday June 2 through Sunday, June 5, 2022 at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio, the venue and location of the Stroud Competition Semi-Final and Final  Rounds.

The Competition's Semi-Finalists will be expected to perform in person before a live audience and distinguished panel of judges at an appointed time during the day of Friday, June 3, 2022 at the Cleveland Institute of Music. We will announce the Competition's four Finalists on Friday, June 3 at the end of that evening's Festival concert.

The Competition's Final Round will take place at the Cleveland Institute of Music on Sunday, June 5, 2022 beginning at 6:30pm Eastern Time. The four Competition Finalists will be expected to perform in person before a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges. Each Finalist will be required to perform from memory three different works from three different time periods. Each Finalist's program must consist of no less than fifteen and no more than eighteen minutes of music. An extra two minutes will be allotted each Finalist for on stage tuning, etc.
THE 2021 JAMES STROUD CLASSICAL GUITAR COMPETITION WINNERS AND PRIZES ARE:
(6/19/2021)

First Prize $10,000.00 US: Jack Davisson

Second Prize $5000.00 US: Eric Wang

Third Prize $2500.00 US: Ethan Boyers

Fourth Prize $1250.00 US: Patricia Hernandez

To view the 2021 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition Final Round Performances and Awards' Announcement click HERE.