eight countries
The Master’s degree program in Classical Guitar Performance kicks off a new season at the University of Alicante, welcoming a diverse cohort of twelve students from around the globe. This twelfth edition of the Alicante Classical Guitar project is steered by the Spanish Guitar Association of the Valencian Community, with active participation from the Provincial Council and the City Council of Alicante. Over the years, more than a hundred students from over forty countries have completed these specialized trainings, under the guidance of renowned guitar masters. Notable instructors have included David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, and Ignacio Rodes. The program blends rigorous study with high-level performance, creating a hub for serious classical guitar training in southern Spain, and it is positioned within the larger cultural framework of the region and its international connections.
Teaching activities unfold from January through June, beginning with a formal Master’s opening ceremony hosted at the Palcio del Portalet. The event will feature a cultural council member, a university rector for research, program directors, and representatives from partner institutions. The ceremony signals the start of a season that emphasizes academic excellence, artistic growth, and collaborative opportunities across organizations dedicated to music education and cultural exchange. This opening moment also sets the stage for ongoing classroom instruction, master classes, and public performances that showcase the talents of the cohort and visiting artists.
eight countries
Admission remains free and is limited by capacity to accommodate the new class. The international slate includes artists from Brazil, China, the United States, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, and Taiwan. A short recital by students from previous editions will accompany the intake, underscoring the program’s ongoing commitment to live performance and peer learning. Support for learners is provided by foundations dedicated to guitar arts and cultural philanthropy, including organizations that fund instrument access, instructional programs, and outreach activities that extend beyond the campus.
The selected cohort features a group of promising talents with diverse backgrounds, including Lucrezia Bonasia, Carlos Carpizo, Weija Chen, Nicholas Luis de Anda, Fábio Fernandes, Hsuan-Lien Liu, Filippos Manoloudis, Matheus Ng, Luis Emilio Ramírez, Ederaldo Sueiro, Nicholas Vellanikaran, and Miguel Villanueva. The campus community will host a series of free admission recitals starting Sunday, January 14 at noon, continuing through June with roughly twenty performances—two or three each month—at a variety of venues around Alicante. Venues include the Palcio del Portalet, the Casa de la Música de Las Cigarreras, the UA Headquarters in Alicante, and Calp, along with neighborhood cultural programs and library-inspired initiatives. The first recital will feature Fábio Fernandes of Portugal and Lucrezia Bonasia of Italy, offering a compelling preview of the season’s musical breadth, technique, and interpretive insight.
Guitar Loop Poster at ADDA
Information
News from the Classical Guitar cycle
The same month marks the start of the XII Guitar Cycle at ADDA, featuring Scottish guitarist David Russell, a frequent mentor in the Master’s program. On Friday, January 19 at 20:00, attendees can experience a varied program that includes pieces by Brocá, Borrono, Da Milano, Dalza, Moreno Torroba, Bach, Kleynjans, and Tárrega. The cycle will also present a series of classical guitar recitals.
Manuel Barrueco and Ignacio Rodes will participate in the cycle for the first time, presenting concerts that pair guitar with other instrumental timbres under the guidance of renowned artists Sergio Assad and Richard Scofano. A new element this year is a performance by flamenco guitarist Alejandro Hurtado from Alicante, who will introduce his latest album, alongside new works by French guitarist Judge Perroy and the duo Melis, created by guitarists Susana Prieto and Alexis Muzurakis. These events reflect the festival’s expanding scope, integrating diversified styles and collaborators while maintaining a strong focus on classical guitar excellence and community engagement. [Citation: UA Music Program notes and event summaries]