Winner of the Rose Augustine Grand Prize at the 2024 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition (GFA), Leonela Alejandro has quickly become one of the most exciting young guitarists of her generation. Originally from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and now based in Columbus, Georgia, she is known for her powerful, energetic, and charismatic performances that captivate audiences.
Leonela has earned more than ten first prizes at national competitions including the Louisville Guitar Festival, Appalachian State Guitar Festival, Columbus State University Guitar Symposium, and the Chicago Guitar Festival. She has also won top prizes internationally at the Ciudad de Coria Competition in Spain, the Iserlohn Competition in Germany, and the Domaine Forget Competition in Canada.
Her artistry has been featured at leading festivals and series such as the Latino Arts Guitar Festival, Florida Guitar Festival, Marlow Guitar Series, and the José Tomás Villa de Petrer Guitar Festival. She has also appeared as a concerto soloist with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, performing major works including Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D major and Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D major. In 2022, she premiered Atanas Ourkouzounov’s Concertino for Guitar, Percussion, and Strings.
Having begun her musical education at age seven, Leonela trained with Maestro Iván Rijos at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico before completing her studies with René Izquierdo at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Andrew Zohn at Columbus State University. This distinguished training, combined with her competition success and orchestral appearances, has established her as a rising star on the international stage.
Now, Leonela makes her San Francisco debut with the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts. Don’t miss the chance to experience a young artist whose charisma and artistry are placing her firmly at the forefront of the classical guitar world.
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