Daniel Bolshoy is a Senior Lecturer in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, where he directs the guitar program. An Israeli-Canadian guitarist, he has performed as a soloist with over sixty orchestras internationally including the Mexico City Philharmonic, the Volgograd Symphony (Russia), and the symphony orchestras of New Mexico, Modesto, Fresno, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Kingston, Victoria, Okanagan, Saskatoon, Nova Scotia, as well as the Chamber Orchestras of Israel, Pennsylvania, Manitoba, Ottawa, The Northwest Sinfonietta, and many others.

An avid chamber musician, he has performed at numerous chamber music festival and concert series throughout North America, Europe, Russia, Asia and the Middle East. Daniel Bolshoy appears on seven commercial recordings and two documentary films on the Bravo! TV network. His recordings and live performances are often broadcast on CBC Radio, NPR and various classical music stations.

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The Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo is a landmark work for guitar and orchestra, known for its vivid Spanish character and emotional depth. Inspired by the gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, it moves from lively, rhythmic energy in the first movement to deep, heartfelt expression in the famous second movement, then returns to a bright, spirited finale. Its memorable melodies and rich orchestration have made it one of the most popular guitar concertos ever written.

The Concierto del Sur by Manuel Ponce is a major piece for guitar and orchestra, written for Andrés Segovia. It blends lyrical melodies with clear classical structure, drawing on Spanish and Mexican influences. The concerto moves between graceful, song-like passages and lively, dance-inspired sections, showing off both the guitar’s expressive range and technical brilliance. It remains a central work in the guitar repertoire.

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Founder of the Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival, Luis Angel Medina is an avid performer and teacher across North America. He is the recipient of the Silver Medal from the 2017 Vancouver International Music Competition and holds a Masters degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. Luis’s career has taken him to perform in various cities in Europe, China and all over North America.

​Luis was born in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico and began his formal studies in music theory and ear training at the age of fourteen when he enrolled in the Music Diploma at the University of Guadalajara. He then moved to Vancouver, Canada, where he began another Diploma at the Capilano University and won numerous awards and scholarships. He concluded his Bachelors of Music in Guitar performance at the University of British Columbia where he was part of the Dean’s List every year during his studies. 

He has now graduated from the Masters degree at the University of Georgia in Athens under the mentorship and guidance of guitarist Dr. Daniel Bolshoy where he functioned as Guitar Teacher Assistant. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Director's Excellence Award which recognizes students for excellence in musicianship, scholarship, leadership, and service, also passing his final oral examinations with distinctions. Among his roles at the University are teaching Guitar classes for non-music university students and individual guidance to other students pursuing a Bachelors in Guitar Performance at UGA. 

​Luis is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) program at the University of Toronto, where he is conducting research on the life and music of the prolific contemporary Mexican composer, Julio Cesar Oliva, under the guidance of acclaimed Canadian guitarist Dr. Jeffrey McFadden. As part of his Doctoral studies, he is currently furthering his guitar expertise with world-renown guitarist Jorge Caballero. Luis has taken lessons in masterclasses with some of the best guitarists in the world, such as David Russell, Roland Dyens, Rene Izquierdo, Jason Vieaux, Jerome Ducharme, Iliana Matos, Denis Azabagic, Marc Teicholz, and more. He continues to promote the guitar through public events and performances as well as through his active involvement with the Toronto Guitar Society, where he serves as Director of Operations. 

Tejay Liao is a performer, educator, and researcher from Vancouver, B.C who has spent his career bringing awareness to growth mindsets, musician mental health, and evidence-based learning strategies. With degrees in music and neuroscience from the University of British Columbia and McGill, Tejay bridges the gap between science and art, developing innovative approaches to guitar technique and pedagogy that challenge the misguided traditions commonly passed down in classical music. Tejay regularly guest lectures at colleges, universities, and music festivals, advocating for more effective strategies rooted in cognitive science and educational psychology.

As a performer, Tejay has been praised for his beautiful tone, technical clarity, and an extraordinary ability to play even the most demanding repertoire without ever looking at his instrument. This distinctive skill was inspired after a pivotal collaboration in Asia with the blind pianist Tse-Chen Hsu (許哲誠), which led Tejay to adopt a bold new approach: practicing and performing entirely with his eyes closed. What began as an experiment in empathy and discipline quickly evolved into a foundational aspect of his artistry.

By eliminating visual input, Tejay has trained himself to rely more deeply on tactile feedback and auditory perception—heightening his sensitivity to nuance, timing, and phrasing. This method has not only refined his physical technique, but also cultivated a more immersive and intuitive connection with the music he plays. His performances are marked by a heightened presence and emotional depth made possible only by a greater focus on sound and feel.

This approach to performance reflects Tejay’s broader philosophy: that limitations, when embraced mindfully, can become tools for growth. By challenging conventional habits and inviting vulnerability into his practice, Tejay opens the door to a more mindful, expressive, and internally driven form of musicianship—one that resonates deeply with both audiences and students alike.