Dear Friends,
By now you all know about our upcoming concert with Korean guitar virtuoso Bokyung Byun Saturday night, but did you know we’re also hosting a masterclass with Bokyung earlier in the day? That, in fact, we’ll be hosting masterclasses with no fewer than four international guitar virtuosos this season, including Ms. González, Bokyung Byun from Korea, Jordan Dodson from New York City, and GFA winner Raphaël Feuillâtre from France? Witnessing these young virtuosos’ artistry in concert is certainly gratifying, but learning from such artists is a rare opportunity indeed. Masterclasses are an incredible opportunity to gain insight into what makes musicians tick, and what makes their music so very beautiful – and now you have that chance!
Coming up this Saturday, February 22nd, Korean classical guitar virtuoso Bokyung Byun will be teaching a masterclass at 1:30 pm in the West Room of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (doors open at 1:00 pm). Bokyung, who started playing the guitar at age 6, has been performing as a concert artist for many years, and has won numerous international competitions. Recent competition wins include the JoAnn Faletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, where she beat out GFA Winner Tengue Zhang for first place, and the GFA International Concert Artist Competition, where she took second place in a field crowded by fantastic players. Most recently she has been completing a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California. Bokyung has a lifetime of experience to share, and we can’t wait to hear what she has to teach our masterclass participants.
Bokyung recently visited the GSI showroom in California to record on some of their amazing guitars. Take a listen and allow yourself to be captured by her delightfully inventive playing.
Tedesco ‘El Rey Don Alonso El Bueno’ – Bokyung Byun plays 2017 Jochen Rothel
Tedesco ‘Gallarde’ – Bokyung Byun plays 2004 Fritz Ober
Now, you may be asking, what is a masterclass? Picture a masterclass as a public lesson in which a visiting artist listens to and critiques students one at a time in front of an audience so that everyone in attendance may benefit from their instruction. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study, if only for a short time, with some of the brightest rising stars of the music world.
Intrigued? Sign up to perform for Bo and receive personalized coaching from one of the finest young musicians in the world, who has studied with some of the most highly respected pedagogues of classical guitar. Musicians of all levels are welcome to perform. Don’t feel ready to perform, or just curious? Sign up as an auditor for FREE, and take advantage of the advice given to our masterclass performers.
All masterclasses are open to the public and free to observe, but registration is required. There are only two performance slots left, so don’t hesitate to reserve the last slot if you’d like to perform in the class (a small performer fee applies). Register as either an auditor or performer for Saturday’s class in our Online Store.
Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best. Sign up to perform or audit a masterclass today!
Best,
Matthew Lavanish
President & Artistic Director, Wilmington Classical Guitar
PS – Don’t miss our Concert with Bokyung Byun taking place later in the evening of February 22nd at 7:30 pm at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. Full details are on our website. Tickets are on sale now!