Gonzalo A. Molano, a 22-year-old native of Colombia who now lives in Chicago, won the top prize of $1,000 last weekend at The University of Texas at Dallas in The First Annual Guitar Competition and Festival – a unique, Texas competition designed to showcase outstanding classical guitar students at least 16 years of age.
Molano received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Arizona and has trained under Sergio Restrepo, Thomas Patterson and Dennis Azabagic. He previously placed second in the Schaefer Guitar Competition and third in the Stevens Guitar Competition.
Second place, worth $500, went to Kristian Anderson, and third-prize of $250 was awarded to Milen Parashkevov.
Anderson, a native of Minnesota, currently resides in Denton, Texas, where he serves as adjunct faculty member in music at the University of North Texas. In addition to his work at UNT, Anderson is an Advisory Board Member of The Dallas Classic Guitar Society. Anderson received his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of North Texas studying under Thomas Johnson and his Master’s at Arizona State University studying under Frank Koonce. Anderson has received numerous awards and scholarships.
Parashkevov, a native of Bulgaria, currently resides in Lubbock, Texas. His formal training includes a performance diploma from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, a Master’s of Music from Texas Tech University, as well as instruction by Joaquin Clench, Maria Isabel Siewers, Elliot Fisk and James Bogle.
To obtain tickets or for more information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UTD, please call 972-883-2982, e-mail utdarts@utdallas.edu, or visit the School of Arts and Humanities’ web site at www.utdallas.edu/dept/ah. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations may call 972-883-2982. Texas Relay Operator: 1-800-RELAYVV.