Guitar in the Big Bend is thrilled to announce its 2026 festival featuring internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Bokyung Byun, bringing world-class performances and educational opportunities to the Big Bend region.
Concerts will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marfa, and on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine. Both concerts begin at 6 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
In addition to the concerts, Dr. Byun will lead a masterclass for Sul Ross State University students at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Fine Arts Building at Sul Ross State University. The masterclass is free and open to the public.
A special Wood Ring Guitars Showcase featuring Aaron Ringo of Wood Ring Guitars will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the museum. Ringo will discuss his guitar-building practices and present his instruments. This event is also free and open to the public.
Recipient of the 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Bokyung Byun is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after guitarists of her generation. She is the first female winner of the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition, where Falletta described her performance as “stunning, showcasing her gorgeous tone, immaculate technique and sophisticated musicianship.” Additional honors include the Grand Prize at the 2021 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition and the Montreal International Classical Guitar Competition.
Born in Seoul, Byun began playing guitar at age six and gave her first solo recital at 11. After extensive concert touring in Asia during her teen years, she moved to the U.S. and entered The Juilliard School at age 16. She holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Juilliard and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California. Her mentors include Scott Tennant, William Kanengiser, Chen Zhi, Tae-Soo Kim and Sharon Isbin.
Her debut recording was praised by Soundboard Magazine as “a very beautiful disc…extraordinary musicianship, technical assurance and beauty of sound.” In 2022, American Record Guide selected her Naxos Laureate Series recording as a Critics’ Choice Album, noting her style as “very reminiscent of Andrés Segovia.” Dr. Byun currently serves on the guitar faculty at the University of North Texas, is an Augustine Strings artist, and performs on a Dieter Mueller guitar.
For more information about the festival, visit www.guitarinthebigbend.com.
Photo: Dr. Bokyung Byun
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