Dr. Emre Classical Guitarist from Pasadena, CA

Elegant classical, Latin, and Flamenco solo music from a world-class guitarist. Brief Biography: Dr. Emre Sabuncuoglu has established himself as one of the most gifted and versatile musicians of his generation. His broad academic background and wide-ranging musical interests have led him in many different directions, forging a unique career rooted in performance, ethnomusicology, and composition. Emre's work has earned many prestigious awards. In 1992, Emre won first prize in the nineteenth Arthez de Bearn International Guitar Competition, and in 1996, he captured first prize in the 1st Antonio Lauro Classical Guitar Competition. He has performed in South America, Europe, Mexico, and the United States, sharing the stage with some of the world's leading guitarists such as Rodrigo Riera, Alirio Diaz, Roland Dyens, Hopkinson Smith, Ernesto Bitetti, Luiz Zea, and Aquiles Baez. Emre holds a Master of Music degree, magna cum laude, from New England Conservatory in Boston, where he was a student of guitarist and composer David Leisner. He also studied composition with Michael Gandolfi and David Leisner. In February 2005, the Young Guru Academy selected Emre to participate in its inaugural USA Leadership Camp. The Young Guru Academy, whose mission is "to select, educate, train and inspire creative, innovative, and socially responsible leaders," selects young people to participate in its annual leadership camp for the purpose of sharpening their leadership skills, igniting their creativity, and inspiring them to seek ways in which they can use their gifts to benefit their communities and the world. In 2006, Emre completed his doctorate (D.M.A., Doctor of Musical Arts) at the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music as a student of Prof. James F. Smith. As an Andrés Segovia Endowed Music Scholarship recipient, he has pursued doctoral minors in the areas of Music Theory, Ethnomusicology and Flamenco Guitar, and has studied performance with the legendary guitarist Pepe Romero. Quotes on Emre's playing: "Outstanding recital. Very original programming and deeply musical playing." -James F. Smith, chair, USC Classical Guitar Dept. "One of the highly educated and talented Turkish musicians of this generation in the U.S." -USA Turkish Times "The artistry of Emre goes far beyond his superb instrumental command. His sensibility to stylistic nuance is refined and natural; his renditions of Bartok are world-class." -Scott Tennant, guitarist, LAGQ founding member "Emre played his ambitious program not only with technical certainty and a colourful interpretation, but also with professionalism." -Manfred Hecker, Staccato Magazine "Emre's crisp and clean tone projects his well-developed musicality." -Colin Cooper, Classical Guitar Magazine "Very balanced, voluminous, uniquely personal." - Savas Cekirge, Antonio Lauro Biannual Competition