Variations à travers les Siècles, Op. 71 -- Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

7 December 2017, Madison Classical Guitar Society ((Variations Through the Centuries)) American classical guitarist Xavier Jara (1993) is the 1st prize winner of the 2016 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. A native of Minnesota, he was a student of Alan Johnston at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis until 2011 when he moved to Paris, France to study with Judicaël Perroy. Mr. Jara studied in Paris for six years with Perroy. During this time he completed his Bachelor’s Degree at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris where he also studied with French guitarist Olivier Chassain, and lute master Eric Bellocq. He received 1st place in a number of international competitions including the Viseu International Competition (2014), the Boston Guitarfest (2014), the Gargnano, Italy Competition (2015), the Ciudad de Coria Competition (2015), and the Tokyo International Competition (2016). In 2016, Mr. Jara returned home to the United States to win the prestigious GFA’s Rose Augustine Grand Prize. His 2017-2018 concert tour began in September 2017. He performed more than 50 concerts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala & Panama, including a concert at Carnegie Hall (April 5, 2018). In May 2020, Mr. Jara earned his Master’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He continues to perform around the world and maintains a vibrant studio as Adjunct Professor of Guitar at California State University Fullerton (Fullerton, CA). Mr. Jara is sponsored by Augustine Strings and plays a guitar by Enrico Bottelli. (If you are interested in purchasing this particular instrument, please contact Xavier through his website: xavierjara.com)