Guitar Foundation of America 2023

The Guitar Foundation of America ICAC (International Concert Artist Competition) results are in:

4th Place: Florent Aillaud

3rd Place: Xukun Alan Liu

2nd Place: Kevin Loh

Rose Augustine Grand Prize Winner:

Marko Topchii

VCGS would like to send a huge congratulations to all the GFA performers this year for their outstanding display of virtuosity and professionalism, especially the grand prize winner Marko Topchii who we look forward to hosting in the future.

Most VCGS patrons will also recognize the name Xukun Alan Liu. A local Vancouverite, Alan is currently completing his Masters's degree at the Julliard School of Music with guitarist Sharon Isbin, who was also inducted into the GFA “Hall of Fame” at this year’s convention. Alan is not a stranger to the GFA finals as he also placed 4th in the 2021 competition. We would like to extend a special congratulations to Alan who is held dear to many audience members and guitar enthusiasts here in the city. We look forward to hosting Alan in a future arrangement.

We would also like to announce the results of the IEC - international ensemble competition.

4: MoNo Guitar Duo  (Italy/Poland)
3: Duo StriAgo (Italy)
2nd: Cicchillitti-Cowan Duo (Canada)
1st: Mēla Guitar Quartet  (United Kingdom)

Congratulations to the Mēla Guitar Quartet and to everyone for your outstanding show of guitar mastery and artistic collaboration.

We are pleased to reveal that we are set to present the Canadian Cicchillitti-Cowan Duo next season, specifically near the end of April 2024. Congratulations on your hard work Steve (Cowan) and Adam (Cicchillitti). We look forward to having you as part of our 2023-24 series!

Below you will find some links of interest.

2023 ICAC Final Round - www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoZj9RF60Xo

2022 IEC Final Round - www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbzPGFzhtbo

Our 2021 interview with Alan Liu - www.vancouverguitar.org/podcast/2021/12/10/12-10-2021-interview-with-alan-liu