Classical guitarist Joseph Daval, of Sewickley, PA (a suburb of Pittsburgh), and a senior at Quaker Valley High School, was named a winner in the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Auditions this month. This competition is open to all instrumentalists, so it is difficult for a guitarist to succeed; the other finalists were pianists, a vocalist and a harpist.  (The last guitarist to win was my student, John Marcel-Williams, in 2010.) The prize is $500 plus a public performance at Carnegie Mellon University in March.



Joseph studied with John Marcinizyn before he started lessons with me privately in 2012. We have been working to prepare him for college guitar program entry auditions. His performance for this competition featured:

Theme and Variations, Op. 9 - Fernando Sor
Polifemo de Oro - Reginald Smith Brindle
Prelude Fugue and Allegro, BWV 998 - J. S. Bach
Angostura - Antonio Lauro

In addition to classical guitar, Joseph, is an active jazz guitarist, singer and actor. He was recently selected as a member of the Quaker Valley Hometown High Q team, and had a lead role in an award-winning production of "Guys and Dolls." In addition to continuing his guitar studies in college, Joseph plans to pursue history and political science.

Congratulations Joseph!!