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 HSBC Youth Excellence Award for his
musical achievements. In 2023, Kevin earned multiple accolades,
including 1st prizes at the XXII Concurso Internacional de Guitarra José
Tomás Villa de Petrer, the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar
Competition, and the Boston GuitarFest. Most notably, he secured 2nd
place at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert
Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar
competition in the world.
Kevin’s journey commenced with a
remarkable turning point when, at just 12 years old, he was
talent-scouted by the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School through his
YouTube channel. This recognition led to an extraordinary opportunity
where he was awarded a grant from The Rolling Stones to pursue his
musical studies at the illustrious institution as their first Asian
guitarist. This pivotal chapter in Kevin’s musical voyage unfolded over
seven transformative years at the Menuhin School, mentored by Richard
Wright. During this period, Kevin was privileged to receive guidance
from an array of distinguished guitarists and musicians worldwide,
including luminaries such as John Williams, Paolo Pegoraro, Tilman
Hoppstock, Pavel Steidl, Simone Fontanelli, Stephen Goss, and Jonathan
Leathwood amongst others.
In 2019, Kevin fulfilled his two-year
military commitments as a Combat Engineer in the Singapore Armed Forces.
He subsequently pursued an undergraduate degree in Music at Girton
College, University of Cambridge as the College Music Scholar and a
scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation. Most recently, Kevin earned
both his Master of Music and his Performance Certificate in Guitar
Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a Graduate
Teaching Assistant, studying under the guidance of world-renowned
guitarist, Cuban-born Prof. René Izquierdo. Building upon his
exceptional educational experience there, he has now transitioned into a
faculty role as a Lecturer in the Classical Guitar Department at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Kevin’s artistic prowess has
resonated across continents, having performed in esteemed venues such as
London’s Wigmore Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall.
His international acclaim as a performing artist led to invitations from
renowned guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta, among
others, where he has captivated audiences not only through his
performances but also through his masterclasses and insights on artistic
growth. In recognition of his exceptional talent, Kevin was selected as
a EuroStrings artist for the year 2020. As part of this prestigious
initiative, he gave numerous online concerts to various European
festivals, further extending his reach and impact on a global scale.
Kevin’s
versatility as a musician shines through his collaborations with
various orchestras, including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra,
showcasing his diverse musical repertoire. Notably, he premiered the
Guitar Concerto by Singaporean composer Prof. Bernard Tan in 2013. In
2019, he performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo
as Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘President’s Young Performer,’ in the
presence of former President Halimah Yacob.
In addition to his
orchestral achievements, Kevin is also an accomplished chamber musician,
having collaborated with many incredible musicians. One notable example
is his recording of the complete ‘Histoire du Tango’ by Astor Piazzolla
with the prodigious Singaporean violinist Chloe Chua. He has also
released ‘I Molinisti,’ an album featuring the complete works for flute
and guitar by Francesco Molino, in collaboration with Spanish flautist
Roberto Alvarez, Section Flute/Assistant Principal Piccolo of the
Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Besides his exceptional musical
talent, Kevin’s appeal emanates from his unwavering passion, boundless
optimism, and relentless dedication to enhancing the local arts scene
and the broader region. An advocate of giving back, Kevin’s
philanthropic journey began at just six years old when he immersed
himself in fundraising activities and outreach programs. He remains
deeply involved in nurturing young talent, frequently visiting schools
to share his love for the guitar and music education. His charitable
endeavors extend through his music, raising funds for initiatives like
ChildAid, which champions arts exposure for underprivileged children.
Noteworthy
milestones punctuate Kevin’s journey, including a groundbreaking solo
debut concert at Esplanade Concert Hall in 2010, where he raised
SGD$180,000 (USD$150,000) for The Business Times Budding Artist Fund and
The Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. In 2016, he joined his peers from
the Menuhin School to perform for refugees, migrants, and volunteers in
the Calais “Jungle” refugee camp, alongside transporting supplies to aid
them.
Kevin is an Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings artist.
Artist's Website: kevinlohguitar.com/