Columbia College

Tickets for performances may be purchased online here:

 

For complete information about registration for the competition, visit http://www.marinaalexandra.com/index.php/festival-registration

 

 

9:00 a.m. Registration at Spears Center for the Arts

10:00 a.m. First round competitions DivisionI (College students and older) in recital hall.

10:30 a.m. Division III (elementary division) in the band room.

11:30 a.m.DivisionII (high school and middle school division)in the band room.

1:00-2:30 p.m. Lunch break

2:30-5:00 p.m.Continue first round Category I division only (recital Hall)

2:30-5:30 p.m. Master class by Matt Palmer (open to all participants, parents with Parent Passes, and those who have purchased the registration package) 

 

 

1:30-2:00 Local talent showcase(open to public)

2:15-4:15 Final round for Division I (open to public)

4:30-5:30 Lecture and workshop by Romanian-born guitarist and vocalist, Silviu Ciuleia on Flamenco guitar origin and playing techniques

7:45-Award ceremony

 

Matt PalmerMatt Palmer ranks among the elite virtuosos of his generation of classical guitarists. Recipient of the 2010 “Up and Coming Guitarist of the Year” award by Guitar International Magazine, Matt is gaining worldwide recognition as a virtuosic and soulful concert artist. His performances have been described as “powerful and emotional,” “highly expressive,” and “positively nuclear.” An active performer, winner of numerous international guitar competitions, and author of The Virtuoso Guitarist method, Matt is emerging as a major force in the modern guitar world. 

 

In demand as a performer and teacher, Matt Palmer has performed and lectured at numerous guitar festivals including The Las Vegas Guitar Festival, Tennessee Guitar Festival, Interlochen Guitar Festival, WIU Guitar Festival, Tucson International Guitar Festival, Appalachian Guitarfest, and Texas A&M Guitar Symposium. In addition, his pioneering scale method and workshop has been recognized as a valuable addition to guitar pedagogy.  www.mattpalmerguitar.com

 

Vladimir GorbachVladimir Gorbach is a Russian virtuoso born in the city of Novosibirsk. He began his guitar lessons at an early age in the class of Professor Yuri Kuzin at the State Music School in Novosibirsk and continued in the class of Arkady Burkhanov at the Glinka Conservatorium to complete his collegiate degree. Thereafter, Vladimir studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz in Cologne, Germany in the class of Professor Roberto Aussel.

 

Vladimir has played as a soloist and a chamber musician in countries such as Russia, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, USA, and Australia. Additionally, he has been a soloist with the Orchestra de Las Beiras, the Orchestra de Aveiro, and the Russian Academic Chamber Orchestra Musica Viva.

 

Vladimir was a prize winner at these prestigious international competitions: Guitar Foundation of America; Naxos International Guitar Festival, Greece; Guitar Competition Barmenia-Insurance, Germany; Concurso e Festival de Guitarra Clasica, Portugal; International Guitar Festival, Gevelsberg, Germany; Concorso Internazaionale de Chitarra Mauro Giuliani, Italy; Concurso de Guitarra Ciudad de Velez-Malaga, Spain; International Guitar Competition, Niksic, Montenegro; International Guitar Competition, Koblenz, Germany

 

Maharajah Flamenco TrioMaharajah Flamenco Trio, led by Romanian-born guitarist and vocalist, Silviu Ciulei, delivers a moving and dynamic expression of Flamenco Nuevo, the ‘new’ flamenco promulgated by such giants as Paco de Lucia and the more recent Vicente Amigo among others. Centered around original compositions, the Maharajah Flamenco Trio builds upon the main Flamenco Puro styles of bulerias, soleares, farrucas, alegrias and fandangos and blends it with international traditions, such as American jazz, Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, and the Rumba Flamenca brought to the popular music world stage by the famous Gipsy Kings.

 

Classically trained guitar virtuoso Silviu Ciulei's interest in Flamenco was first awakened while on a family holiday in Spain. It was not long before he moved to Cardiz, Andalusia-the heartland of Flamenco. There he began several years of intense study, which he brought with him to Tequila, a band that gained national attention in his native Romania. He is currently working towards his Doctor of Music degree in classical guitar performance under the tutelage of Bruce Holzman, Director of the Guitar Program at Florida State University. He is also seen competing in competitions, and performing in music festivals around the U.S.

 

Bassist David Cobb began his musical journey in the middle school brass section, but was soon lured by the sound of strings and began teaching himself guitar and electric bass, expanding his classical background into the American styles centered around these instruments: blues, rock, and soul. He studied composition and classical guitar at the University of South Carolina and performed and recorded with numerous ensembles, including J’Ouvert Steel Band, Israeli composer Ayala Asherov, and Danny Bedrosian’s Som’n Fierce. A xenophile from an early age, David’s playing mixes the feel of soul with a wealth of Latin American/Caribbean rhythms and melodic sensibilities of Western Asia.

 

Rounding out the rhythm section, percussionist Ramin Yazdanpanah’s sounds echo the Outback, the Silk Road, the Caribbean and his native Florida home. Ramin draws out the soulful and passionate rhythms of his Cuban-Iranian heritage on cajon, dumbek, and a variety of percussion and wind instruments from around the globe. He has performed and recorded with numerous artists in numerous musical forms, ranging from classical, jazz and folk, to funk, Latin, and hip-hop.

 

The unique cultural and musical backgrounds of these three musicians coalesces to create the high-energy and daring music of the Maharajah Flamenco Trio.