Guitar Festival

This year's Guitar Festival boasts a wide variety of artists from around the globe. Several include:

Leonela Alejandro

Leonela Alejandro is an award-winning classical guitarist from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has garnered attention as a soloist, captivating audiences with her powerful and energetic performance style. She has been invited to perform in numerous venues in the United States and Europe, including the Latino Arts Guitar Festival, Northern Illinois University International Guitar Concert Series, Southern Guitar Festival, Florida Guitar Festival, and José Tomás Villa de Petrer Guitar Festival.

Leonela has also placed in over a dozen competitions in the United States, with more than ten first-prize placements including the Guitar Foundation of America International Artist Competition, Louisville Guitar Festival, Appalachian State Guitar Festival, Columbus State University Guitar Symposium, Indiana Guitar Festival, and Chicago Guitar Festival, among others. She has also succeeded abroad as an international competitor, receiving prizes from the Le Domaine Forget de Charlevoix Guitar Competition, Ciudad de Coria International Guitar Competition, and the Iserlohn International Guitar Competition.

Leonela formally began her musical education when she was seven years old. Following her work with various Puerto Rican teachers including Jomel Rivera, Julio Reyes, and Rey Nieves, she decided to dedicate her professional life to this passion. In 2016, she was accepted into the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico at just 16 years old, studying with world-renowned performer Iván Rijos. After two fruitful years in the conservatory, she transferred to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and completed her undergraduate degree with Cuban virtuoso René Izquierdo in 2020. Leonela recently completed her graduate studies with Dr. Andrew Zohn at Columbus State University in 2023.

Apart from her celebrated resume in competition settings, Leonela has established herself as a soloist in orchestral settings. She has performed multiple concerti with the Puerto Rico Symphony under the direction of Roselin Pabón including Antonio Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D major, RV 93, and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Guitar Concerto No.1 in D Major, Op.99. She was the soloist in the recent premiere of Atanas Ourkouzounov’s Concertino for Guitar, Percussion and Strings under the direction of Paul Hostetter. She also has appeared as a solo mandolinist with the Schwob School of Music Wind Ensemble as a soloist in Ottorino Respighi’s Roman Festivals under the direction of Jamie L. Nix.

Leonela is an Augustine Strings Ambassador and her string of choice are Paragon Reds. She performs on a 2019 Stephan Connor guitar and a 2023 Martin Blackwell guitar.

Instagram @Leonelaguitar

Kevin Loh

Hailing from Singapore, Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation.

Kevin’s international acclaim has led to multiple invitations from renowned orchestras and international guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta amongst others. In 2013, he premièred the Guitar Concerto by Bernard Tan with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and in 2019, he performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo as Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘President’s Young Performer’. He has also performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall.

Kevin has also garnered numerous accolades, including his most recent 2nd prize at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.

Kevin is also passionate about giving back to society. He actively visits schools to share more about the guitar and music education. He also raises funds in Singapore and in the region for various charities and initiatives such as ChildAid, to provide opportunities for underprivileged children to have exposure to the arts.

Kevin studied with Richard Wright for seven years at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Britain. After finishing two years of mandatory military service in the Singapore Armed Forces, he completed his undergraduate degree in Music at Girton College, University of Cambridge as the College Music Scholar and a scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation. He recently earned both his Master of Music and his Performance Certificate in Guitar Performance as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Prof. René Izquierdo. Building upon his exceptional 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 is generously supported by Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings.

Andrew Zohn

Andrew Zohn has enjoyed a decades-long career as a performer, composer, and much sought-after teacher.  He has performed concerts on five continents including venues in China, Malaysia, Egypt, Argentina, as well as throughout North America and Europe. Students of Andrew Zohn have won prizes in over 100 international competitions and have been featured on National Public Radio.  Original compositions and transcriptions by Andrew Zohn are published through Les Productions d’Oz, Canada, Tuscany publications (Theodore Presser), and FJH Publications. His recordings for Clear Note and Centaur Records have received wide acclaim from American Record Guide, Classical Guitar Magazine, GuitArt Magazine, Soundboard, Guitarra Magazine, and Rosewood Review.  Zohn’s latest solo recording Saudade Eterna was released in 2019 through Contrastes Records (Spain).

Petar Jankovic

Petar Jankovic is associate professor of music in guitar at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

A rising star among the world’s top musicians, he has never stopped honing his skills and developing artistically. In 1998, he released Romantico, a CD exploring the sounds of the romantic Spanish and Latino-American world, and featuring his interpretations of pieces by composers such as Albeniz, Torrobba, Pipo, Piazzolla, and Ponce. The North American Society for Serbian Studies said, “Jankovic’s interpretation points to his interest in presenting the inherent beauty of the musical phrase with great care. . . . His interpretation testifies to his artistic maturity and dedication to the essence of the musical content of the works on this CD.”

In 2002, Jankovic released his Bogdanovic, Brouwer, and Dyens CD, featuring works by the most prominent and played classical guitar composers living today. Luis Zea, a well-known composer and guitar player from Venezuela, perhaps best captured the essence of Jankovic’s style by exclaiming, “He is a natural poet!”

For Jankovic’s 2007 Leyenda CD release, GuitarInternational.com said, “Jankovic has a character to his playing that is reminiscent of artists like Segovia or Bream. He performs as if he is conducting an orchestra, bringing every performance to life with his incredible dynamic palette and knowledge of the instrument and its repertoire.”

As a performer at major competitions around the globe, Jankovic’s universally evocative sound has won high regard with the world’s classical music community, and as a result, he has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including a bronze medal at the H. R. H. Princess Cristina 13th International Guitar Competition in Madrid (Spain); first prize at the First Annual Competition in Performance of Hispano-American music, Bloomington (Ind.); a bronze medal at the M. M. Ponce international guitar competition in 1998 in Mexico City (Mexico); 1997 Graduate Top Strings Award, Indianapolis Matinee Musicale (the first guitarist to win this award), and others.

The most appealing characteristic about Jankovic’s style is his genuine, expressive interpretation of any given composition. More than a classical guitar player, he is a person with the gift of communicating honest emotions of the human experience. His expressive performances and a technical mastery found only among the world’s top musicians make it easy to understand why he has received overwhelming international acclaim. From the latest review at GuitarInternational.com: “Petar Jankovic is one of the finest soloists on the scene today, and he possesses a unique, artistic, and highly expressive style.”

Dennis Davis

Dennis Davis directs the guitar program at Eastern Kentucky University and previously held guitar positions at the University of Kentucky Fine Arts Institute and The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts. His recent concert tours in Spain (2010 and 2012) featured performances at numerous music festivals and broadcasts on Spanish National Radio & Television. He has performed or shared the stage with Mel Tormé, Ben Vereen, Doc Severinsen, Matt Neiss, Jeff Tyzik, William Kanengiser, and the Los Angels Guitar Quartet. William Kanengiser described his performances as "very expressive and solid playing." He has performed in masterclasses for Christopher Parkening, Adam Holzman, Sharon Isbin, Frank Koonce, Joseph Hagedorn, and Oscar Ghiglia, and has received private coaching from David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Eduardo Fernandez, William Kanengiser, and Scott Tennant. Dr. Davis studied jazz guitar with Scott Henderson, jazz improvisation (masterclasses and clinics) with numerous educators, including Jamey Aebersold and David Baker, and has performed in professional jazz ensembles under the direction of Vince Dimartino, Miles Osland, and Dick Domek.

Dr. Davis holds a Ph.D. and undergraduate degrees from the University of Kentucky where he was the first guitarist to be selected as an Honors Recitalist [concert and cable television performance (1991, Lexington, KY)]. He also holds an M.M. in music performance from the University of Louisville, where he was invited to perform in the Grawemeyer Award ceremony concert for Toru Takemitsu.

Dr. Davis is a frequent guest clinician, adjudicator, and presenter. He also co-directs music technology studies at Eastern Kentucky University and his music technology curriculum has been adopted by other institutions. He is an active member of GFA, AMS, SAM, and TI:ME (Technology Institute for Music Educators) and has taught music technology certification workshops (Sibelius) for the University of Kentucky and TI:ME. He served several terms as the president of The Guitar Society of Lexington-Central Kentucky and was awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kentucky Arts Council, the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, the EKU Office of Institutional Effectiveness, the EKU College of Arts and Sciences, and the EKU Assessment Committee. 

His scholarship has appeared in several publications, including Soundboard, The Encyclopedia of Appalachia, and TI:ME. His most recent awards were earned for pioneering a technology-focused methodology for student self-assessment that culminated in invitations to teach sessions at the Appalachia State Guitar Festival and the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association Conference (KMEA).

Chris Wilke

Dr. Christopher Wilke integrates modern and historical performance on guitar and lute with his interests in composition and research. He is director of guitar and lute studies at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (CCM) and director of the CCM Guitar Workshop. In September 2022, the CCM guitar program celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Gala Concert featuring an alumni guitar orchestra under Wilke’s direction which gave the premiere of his composition, Double Shot.

Wilke holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music (historical plucked instruments under Paul O’Dette), Mt. St. Joseph University (guitar and composition), and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (classical guitar). He has had recordings released on Centaur Records (USA), original compositions published by Les Productions d’Oz (Montreal, Canada) and editorial work printed by Le Luth Doré (Paris, France). He’s lectured or published articles for the American Musicological Society, The Lute Society of America and the Guitar Foundation of America.

Recent performances include a special solo concert for members of the Congressional Caucus on the Arts in the US Capitol Building (Washington DC), the European Lute Festival in Füssen (Germany), the Central Coast Guitar Society (CA), the Boston Early Music Festival (MA), the Austin Peay State University Guitar Festival (TN), the Indianapolis Guitar Society (IN), the Xavier University (OH) International Concert Series and with Opera Notre Dame at the University of Notre Dame (IN). He has also performed with Flying Forms Baroque Ensemble in St. Paul (MN) and made appearances with the Columbus (OH) and Sarasota (FL) Symphony Orchestras, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the New Horizons Symphony (NM). He recently composed a piece entitled, “Strange Myth,” the first-ever duo for baroque guitars written in modern times, written for and premiered with Xavier Jara. As a scholar, he has presented lectures for the American Musicological Society, the Guitar Foundation of America, the University of Notre Dame, Stony Brook University and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music 2021 Historical Performance Conference.

Wilke formerly served as president of the Lute Society of America and currently serves on the board of the Greater Cincinnati Guitar Society.

Dieter Hennings

The musical endeavors of Dieter Hennings Yeomans span from new music on guitar to early music for lute, baroque guitar, and theorbo and can be heard on the Nonesuch, Bridge, Parma, Nre Branch, and Innova recording labels.

Mr. Hennings has been a soloist with Canada’s New Music Concerts Ensemble, Tito Sccipa Orchestra of Lecce, Italy, Eastman BroadBand Ensemble, Eastman School Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Guanajuato, Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonora, the University of Arizona Philharmonia, the Orquesta Filarmonica de Monterrey among many others. Mr. Hennings has won first prize in several prestigious competitions including the 2008 Aaron Brock International Guitar Competition (Toronto), 2005 Eastman Guitar Concerto Competition, the 2002 Villa de Petrer, Alicante (Spain) International Young Artists Competition, the 2001 Portland International Guitar Competition, among others.

Mr. Hennings is an active proponent of new music, particularly that of Latin America, having recently worked with composers Mario Davidovsky, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez, Juan Trigos and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. Mr. Hennings has recently premiered works by composers Jake Bancks, Wes Matthews, John Aylward, Beth Wiemann, Hebert Vazquez, Luca Cori, Juan Trigos and Scott Worthington and many more. Hennings has received grants from the Howard Hanson Institute for American Music, the Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (México) and the Fondo Estatal para la Cultura y las Artes (Sonora, México) to commission and premiere contemporary works for guitar.

Recent engagements include concerts with pop-singer Natalie Merchant and baroque violinist Monica Huggett as well as appearances at the Mexican Embassy in Rome, Festival SpazioMusica of Cagliari, Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia, Mexico, University of Chicago, Festival Internacional de Chihuahua, New York’s Joyce Theater, Julliard’s Paul Hall, and New England Conservatory. Mr. Hennings is a resident artist at the East Coast Composers Ensemble and the Eastman Broad Band Ensemble, with whom he maintains an active performing schedule.

Dieter Hennings is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Kentucky and curates the UK International Guitar Series, which has brought to Lexington some of the finest guitarists in the world. Some of the artists featured on the series include David Russell, Paul O'Dette, Paul Galbraith, Nicholas Goluses, Adam Holzman, Jorge Caballero, Marcin Dylla, Zoran Dukic, Grisha Goryachev, and many more.

Stephen Mattingly

Stephen Mattingly – guitarist, has been warmly received by audiences in Europe, Africa, and the Americas as soloist and founding member of the Tantalus Quartet. Stephen’s solo performances have taken him from venues such as Weill Hall to major festivals across the US and abroad. An avid chamber music collaborator, he received the prestigious Theodore Presser Award for his work on the complete guitar chamber works by Franz Schubert. 

Stephen enjoys a vibrant career as Associate Professor of Guitar at the Florida State University where he nurtures the guitar legacy established by Bruce Holzman. During his 17-year tenure as Professor of Guitar at the University of Louisville, Stephen was recognized as a distinguished professor for creative activity. He has adjudicated, taught, and performed at the Silesian Guitar Autumn Competition in Poland, the Guitar Foundation of America Convention, the Iserlohn Guitar Symposium in Germany, and the Acadia Guitar Festival in Canada. Additionally, Stephen is chair of the Guitar Foundation of America Board of Trustees. 

His students have won top-prizes in competitions and graduate awards at revered programs. Graduates hold high school and collegiate teaching positions, and serve the GFA, the Sphinx organization, Louisville Guitar Society, and Cleveland Guitar Society. 

Stephen earned a Doctorate of Music and Theory Pedagogy certificate at FSU as a teaching assistant to renowned pedagogue Bruce Holzman. He received an Artist Diploma with Dale Kavanagh at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold in Germany and studied with Oscar Ghiglia at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. Prior studies with Nicholas Goluses at the Eastman School of Music led to Master’s and Bachelor Degrees, a Certificate in Arts Leadership, and a Performer’s Certificate. 

Stephen Mattingly is a D’Addario artist and his recordings are available on all streaming platforms.

Xavier Jara

Xavier Jara (1993) is an American guitarist of international acclaim. In 2016, he won the coveted First Prize of the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, which awarded him a sixty-concert tour. The tour, which began in September 2017, spanned locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama, including a concert at Carnegie Hall. 

A native of Minnesota, Xavier studied with Alan Johnston at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis until 2011, when he moved to Paris, France to study with Judicaël Perroy for the next six years.  During this time, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he also studied with French guitarist Olivier Chassain and lute master Eric Bellocq.  

He received 1st place in a number of international competitions including the Viseu International Competition (2014), the Boston Guitarfest (2014), the Gargnano, Italy Competition (2015), the Ciudad de Coria Competition (2015), and the Tokyo International Competition (2016).  In 2016, Xavier returned home to the United States to win the GFA’s prestigious Rose Augustine Grand Prize.

In May 2020, Xavier earned his Master’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He continues to perform around the world and joined the United States Guitar Orchestra as a soloist in 2022 on their tour of Spain. An active teacher as well, he previously served as the Adjunct Professor of Guitar at California State University Fullerton (Fullerton, CA) and recently taught the Spring 2022 semester at the University of Louisville (Louisville, KY), conducting and performing in Javier Farías’s Arauco with the U of L guitar ensemble. 

Xavier is sponsored by Augustine Strings and plays a guitar by Enrico Bottelli.  

Ascher Schroeder

Ascher Taylor-Schroeder is a passionate and highly active performer and music educator based in Louisville, KY. He currently serves as the Guitar Department Director and the Youth Performing Arts School, conductor and music director of the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra, President of the Louisville Guitar Society, is a member of the KMEA Kentucky Guitar Council and is a founding member of the Chimera Quartet. Ascher holds a Bachelors of Music Education from Murray State University and a Masters of Music, with an emphasis in string pedagogy, from the University of Louisville. Ascher lives with his wife, Shelby and their dogs, Ella and Dahlia.

Alejandro Gonzalez

Cuban guitarist, Alejandro Gonzalez, has performed on various stages worldwide, such as: Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Nicaragua, Poland, and the Dominican Republic. He has also been awarded in competitions such as: International Guitar Competition of Havana (Cuba) 1996, “Andres Segovia” International Guitar Competition (Spain) 1995, “Michele Pittaluga” International Guitar Competition (Italy). As a pedagogue, he has always done hard work as an instructor in all subjects related to guitar teaching at all levels. He has taught at the Higher Institute of Art of Havana, Provincial Conservatory of Music “Amadeo Roldan”, Center of Culture of Santiago, and currently teaches and directs the Cibao Music Academy (AMCIB) in Santiago, Dominican Republic. 

Cristina Bedoya

Born in Rezina, Moldova, Cristina Bedoya began her musical studies at the Republican Lyceum of Music “Ciprian Porumbescu” under the guidance of Professor Larisa Jar. She has participated in numerous festivals and competitions across Europe and the United States.

In 2017, Cristina was awarded Third Prize at the Osaka International Music Competition in Japan. She is also a First Prize winner of the NJMTA Artist Competitions and has performed as a soloist with the Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Teleradio-Moldova. Her achievements include the Jacobs Music Company Steinway Award and the W. Clarke Pfleeger Award for Outstanding Pianistic Ability and Musicianship. Cristina holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Rowan University (NJ) and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University (GA).

Currently based in Louisville, Kentucky, Cristina serves as a collaborative pianist at the University of Louisville. She is also a ballet pianist with the Louisville Ballet and the Chautauqua Institution (NY), continuing to contribute her versatile musicianship to both academic and performing arts communities.

Goran Ivanovic

Goran Ivanovic is a genre-defying solo guitarist whose original compositions draw from a rich tapestry of influences—classical, Balkan, cinematic soundtracks, and contemporary harmonic language. Rooted in the acoustic tradition yet constantly evolving, his music blends intricate fingerstyle technique with deeply emotional storytelling.

Born into the cultural crosscurrents of Eastern Europe and shaped by years of classical training and global collaboration, Goran's solo work is a deeply personal exploration of identity, place, and sound. Each piece is a journey—at once intimate and expansive—merging the precision of classical music with the soulful intensity of Balkan folk and the evocative depth of film scores.

This season, Goran will debut a never-before-performed original set, offering audiences a first glimpse of his new material. Additionally, he is set to release a highly anticipated solo record later this year.

Performing on both classical and acoustic guitars, Goran’s playing is virtuosic and lyrical, captivating listeners with fluid dynamics, harmonic complexity, and rhythmic drive. He performs exclusively on masterfully crafted instruments: acoustic guitars by Collings Guitars and classical guitars by renowned Granada luthier Juan García Fernández. These exceptional instruments are integral to his artistry, offering nuanced expression and commanding projection.

Goran’s compositions bridge tradition and modernity, showcasing the solo guitar as a profoundly expressive and complete musical language. Whether on stage or in the studio, his performances are immersive musical journeys—transcending genres and borders to resonate deeply with audiences everywhere.

Carlos Bedoya, Festival and Competition Director

“A complete musician that excels in all range of styles.” (Ernesto Bitetti), Colombian guitarist

Carlos Bedoya is a rising concert artist who also enjoys a teaching career as lecturer in guitar at the University of Louisville. Apart from performing, Bedoya enjoys teaching, chamber music collaborations, and furthering cultural enrichment through community engagement and volunteering opportunities.

His performance career has taken him to stages in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Italy, Germany, Portugal, and from coast to coast in the United States. Special appearances include recitals at the International Clarinet Association, the Cartagena Music Festival, Spivey Hall, and at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. In addition, he has performed as soloist with several symphonic orchestras throughout the United States, including appearances with renowned conductor Gavriel Heine. As a chamber musician, Bedoya has collaborated with international figures such as Alexander Markov (violin), Yosif Feigelson (cello), and Yuri Gandelsman (viola), as well as a single release with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

An avid competitor, Bedoya has garnered more than 20 top prizes in national and international competitions including first prizes in the New Orleans International Guitar Festival, Appalachian State University Festival, Chicago Guitar Festival, Florida State University, and other top prizes in the United States, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His commitment to new music is reflected by his multiple premieres of music by composers from the United States, Colombia, Cuba, Moldova, Venezuela,mand Peru. Additionally, his compositions, arrangements, and editions have been published by Publications D’Oz, Azahar Press, and other independent publishers.

In addition to his teaching and performing activities, Bedoya serves as director of the annual UofL Guitar Festival and Competition, as summer faculty at the Northern Lights Music Festival in Minnesota, and as faculty at the Solstice Guitar Symposium in Connecticut. He is a Yamaha classical guitar ambassador and plays a Glenn Canin guitar with Knobloch strings. Aside from his career as a guitarist, Bedoya has a devoted enthusiasm for singing and conducting. He also enjoys playing chess and racquetball, and spending time with his wife and puppy.

• Competitors will be evaluated on technique, musicianship, and overall presentation. Judges’ comments will not be made available until after the final round of the competition. Competitors are encouraged to inquire for comments directly from the judges only after the competition has ended.
• Choice of music is entirely at the discretion of the competitor. A competitor may perform the same or different music from round to round without penalty.
• It is expected that each competitor's program fits within the time allowed for each round. Timing begins with the first note of the performance and continues between pieces. If a competitor exceeds the given time allotted, that competitor will be asked to stop but at no penalty to their evaluation.
• All judge's decisions are final.
• By participating in the live rounds of the competition, all performers agree to terms allowing the University of Louisville to use audio and video recording of their performances for archival and promotional purposes.
• Competitors may register for any division in which they remain eligible. In other words, multiple division registration is allowed for youth in all three divisions and for collegiate competitors in both the collegiate and open divisions. 

Open Division Competition

• The Open Division Competition is open to classical guitarists of all ages.
• Three rounds of free-choice repertoire, which may be repeated in all rounds.
• Program time limits:
  • Preliminary Round (online) - 7 minutes
  • Semi-final Round - 10 minutes
  • Final Round - 15 minutes
• Prizes:  
  • 1st place - $1,000 and S9 Saers Guitar ($1,300 value), plus possibility of returning engagement
  • 2nd place - $500
  • 3rd place - $250
  • 4th place - $125
• The Preliminary Round is by online video submission. All video recordings must be submitted with the application as an unlisted YouTube link. Please include your name and “2025 UofL Guitar Competition” in the title, and the repertoire to be performed in the description of the video.
• Videos must frame the entire guitar and allow a clear view of the performer's head and hands at all times.
• Videos must be made in color and consist of a single take per piece.
• Videos and a $30 online-round submission fee are due by September 19.
• Participants advancing to the semifinal round will be announced online and emailed by September 26.
• Following the semifinal round, 4 players will be selected to participate in the final round.
• Semi-final and Final Rounds will be held at the University of Louisville School of Music. See the Guitar Festival schedule for date, time, and location. 

Collegiate Division Competition

• The Collegiate Competition is open to classical guitarists of all ages who have not completed an undergraduate degree as of the first day of the competition. Four performers will be selected to participate in the final round.
• Free-choice program for all rounds
• Program Time Limits:
  • Preliminary Round - 7 minutes
  • Final Round - 10 minutes
• Prizes:  
  • 1st place - $500 and S9 Saers Guitar ($1,300 value)
  • 2nd place - $250
  • 3rd place - $125
  • 4th place - $75

Youth Competitions (Category I: under 15 - Category II: 15-18 years old)

• The Youth Divisions are open to performers 18 years old or younger as of the first day of competition. There are two categories within the Youth Divisions: under 15 and 15-18 years old. Three performers will be selected from each category to participate in the final round.
• Participants in the Youth Competition must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must present proof of age at registration.
• Free-choice program for all rounds.
• Program Time Limits:
  • Preliminary Round - 5 minutes
  • Final Round - 7 minutes
• Prizes in both divisions:
  • 1st place - $100  and guitars donated by Saers and JoLuck
  • 2nd place - $50
  • 3rd place - $25

*All prize winners will also receive generous string packages from Knobloch Strings and credit vouchers by Strings by Mail. 

Learn more about visiting the UofL School of Music and directions to the Guitar Festival.

Check out our Belknap Campus map.

Hotels and Housing

Residence Inn by Marriot
700 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209

• Recommended stay – Book through this link to get 20% off each night (reservation-link)
• Breakfast included
• 5 minutes away from campus

Courtyard by Marriot
819 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209

• Recommended stay
• 5 minutes away from campus

Quality Inn
311 East Gaulbert Avenue, Louisville, KY 

• Walking distance to the UofL School of Music
• Indoor pool

Days Inn
1620 Arthur Street, Louisville, KY

• Adjacent to the Quality Inn
• Also within walking distance to the UofL School of Music

Louisville is a fantastic city to explore. This visitor guide will guide you in the direction of your choosing.

Competition Winners

University of Louisville Guitar Competition Winners

2024 

Youth Division I (under 15)

1. Jonah Rosenthal
2. Alexandria Cutting
3. Caleb Lyons

Youth Division II (15-18)

1. Benjamin Poczatek
2. Ryland DeStefano
3. Amanda Pazos-Guerra

Collegiate Division 

1. Matthew Kuplack
2. Benjamin Richardson
3. Dan Holban
4. Chaitan Grewal

Open Division

1. Sara d’Ippolito Reichert
2. Kyle Khembunjong
3. Audrey Oden
4. Mia Padilla

2023

Youth Division I (under 15) 

1. Alexandria Cutting
2. Lincoln Hall 

Youth Division II (15-18) 

1. Owen Wang
2. Amanda Pazos
3. Asher Wedin
4. Griffen Farnsley 

Collegiate Division 

1. Nik Divall
2. Owen Wang
3. Suvan Agarwal
4. William Tanner 

Open Division 

1. Gwenyth Aggeler
2. Alvaro Henrique
3. Nik Divall
4. Jeremy Waldrip 

2022 

Youth Division 

1. Leonardo Prado
2. Noah Rairick
3. Asher Wedin
4. Amanda Pazos 

Collegiate Division 

1. Parsa Sabet
2. Mia Padilla
3. Zhengji Li
4. Logan Wong

Open Division 

1. Leonela Alejandro
2. Parsa Sabet
3. Jeremy Waldrip
4. Chandler Dillingham 

2021

Youth Division

1. Nathaniel Zsedenyi
2. Noah Rairick
3. Blake Logsdon

Collegiate Division

1. Jack Osborne
2. Joe Tollefsen
3. Jake Giles
4. Matt Wherley

Open Division (postponed to 2022)

2020

Youth Division

1. Micha Rand
2. Kassandra Hughes
3. Paula Glaser
4. Landon Vandergriff

Collegiate Division

1. Gonzalo Peñalosa
2. Jorge Manuel Atanacio López
3. Jake Giles
4. Logan Florence
5. Maxwell Rothman

Open Division

1. Gonzalo Peñalosa
2. Chinnawat Themkumkwun
3. Jasmin Lacasse Roy
4. Alessandro Infante

2019 

Youth Division

1. Maxwell Rothman

2. Ian Tubbs

3. Kassandra Hughes

Collegiate Division

1. Leonela Alejandro

2. Jake Giles

3. Fangfang Liu

Open Division

1. Gonzolo Alonso 

2. Samuel Hines

3. Evan Taucher

4. YunZhe Lin

2018

Youth Division

1. Naia Andrews

2. Josefina Stone

3. Noah Rairick

4. Henry Davidson

Collegiate Division

1. Liam Hedrick

2. Brandon Walker

3. Jakob Giles

4. Andrew Ramsey

Solo Artist Division

1. Jesus Serrano Huitron

2. Samuel Hines

3. Christopher Mrofchak

4. Matthew Gillen

2017

Youth Division:

1. Gabriela Hertel

2. Michael Bremmer

Collegiate Division:

1. Jeremy Waldrip

2. Liam Hedrick

3. Jonno Garver

4. Jakob Giles

Solo Artist Division:

1. Andrew Wilder

2. Samuel Hines

3. Evan Taucher

4. Marco Villa

2016

Youth Division:

1. Liam Hedrick

2. Kieran Waigel

3. Benjamin Duncan

Solo Artist Division:

1. Ilie Dragos

2. Jesus Serrano

3. Nicholas Emilfork

4. Noe Garcia

2015

Youth Division:

1. Hannah Wade

2. Craig Salgh

Solo Artist Division:

1. Stephen Lochbaum

2. Austin Wahl

3. Naeim Rahmani

4. Eli Schille-Hudson

2014

Youth Division:

1. Jeremy Waldrip

2. Hannah Wade

3. Craig Salgh

Solo Artist Division:

1. Jeremy Collins

2. Stephen Lochbaum

3. Steven Cowan

4. Matthew Rohde

Honorable mention: Marco Villa

2012

Youth Division I (ages 14 and under):

1. Mallory Richards

2. Hannah Wade

Youth Division II (ages 15-18):

1. Joseph Douglas

2. Victoria Medley

3. Devin Brown

Solo Artist Division:

1. Joseph Palmer

2. Celil Refik Kaya

3. Jeremy Collins

4. Antoniy Kakamakov

2011

Youth Division:

1. Toby James

2. Audra Vigil

3. Joseph Douglas

Solo Artist Division:

1. Brendan Evans

2. Zhivkov Nikolov

3. Jeremy Collins

4. Gideon Whitehead

Honorable mention: John Marcel Williams

2010

Solo Artist Division:

1. You Wang

2. Brendan Evans

3. Gideon Whitehead

4. Maja Radovanliga