Viseu International Guitar Competition
Jury
The Jury for the 5th Viseu International Guitar Competition is composed of 8 elements from 5 different countries. We are proud to have immense talent and experience in this panel and we are sure the decision of this year’s winner is in good hands.
Chairman
Jérémy Jouve (France)
Competition Artistic Director
Paula Sobral (Portugal)
Festival Artistic Director
José Carlos Sousa (Portugal)
Jurors
Karol Samuelčík (Slovakia)
Alexis Muzurakis (Greece)
Susana Prieto (Spain)
Pedro Rufino (Portugal)
André Cardoso (Portugal)
Jérémy Jouve
About the jurors

JÉRÉMY JOUVE
Acclaimed by international radio FIP as « the ambassador for classical guitar worldwide », Jérémy Jouve multiplies international tours, recordings, and collaborations with the greatest performers and composers.
His studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique and at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse (CNSMD) in Paris where he followed the teaching of the great masters Alberto Ponce and Roland Dyens, oriented him towards a committed and poetic approach to music, an incessant search for beautiful sounding, and a deep love and respect for the original compositions.
His young prodigy career began with a first concerto with orchestra at the age of 10, a gold medal awarded by the conservatory at 13, a first European tour at 16, and the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) Prize won at the age of 24 in Mexico. From this extraordinary career, Jérémy Jouve keeps a strong mark of sincerity that he transmits today with passion to his students at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris and the Pôle Supérieur Paris Boulogne-Billancourt, as well as during the masterclasses he delivers while touring.
In 2003, the GFA Prize opened the doors to a five-month North American tour and a first recording with Naxos records. He then released, in 2008 and 2011, with the same label, two albums devoted to the challenging work for solo guitar of Joaquín Rodrigo. Following this, a Melbay Concert Live DVD released in 2009 and a Reference Recordings album, Traveling Sonata, with flutist Viviana Guzman, nominated for the Grammy Awards in 2012, completed this cycle of recordings.
Jérémy Jouve is currently devoted to the recording of two new albums, one featuring new chamber music compositions by Mathias Duplessy released on may 21st, 2021, and another one with his long-time accomplice and violinist Pierre Fouchenneret.
Jérémy Jouve plays on Savarez, Alliance red and Cantiga Premium blue strings
Acclaimed by international radio FIP as « the ambassador for classical guitar worldwide », Jérémy Jouve multiplies international tours, recordings, and collaborations with the greatest performers and composers.
His studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique and at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse (CNSMD) in Paris where he followed the teaching of the great masters Alberto Ponce and Roland Dyens, oriented him towards a committed and poetic approach to music, an incessant search for beautiful sounding, and a deep love and respect for the original compositions.
His young prodigy career began with a first concerto with orchestra at the age of 10, a gold medal awarded by the conservatory at 13, a first European tour at 16, and the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) Prize won at the age of 24 in Mexico. From this extraordinary career, Jérémy Jouve keeps a strong mark of sincerity that he transmits today with passion to his students at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris and the Pôle Supérieur Paris Boulogne-Billancourt, as well as during the masterclasses he delivers while touring.
In 2003, the GFA Prize opened the doors to a five-month North American tour and a first recording with Naxos records. He then released, in 2008 and 2011, with the same label, two albums devoted to the challenging work for solo guitar of Joaquín Rodrigo. Following this, a Melbay Concert Live DVD released in 2009 and a Reference Recordings album, Traveling Sonata, with flutist Viviana Guzman, nominated for the Grammy Awards in 2012, completed this cycle of recordings.
Jérémy Jouve is currently devoted to the recording of two new albums, one featuring new chamber music compositions by Mathias Duplessy released on may 21st, 2021, and another one with his long-time accomplice and violinist Pierre Fouchenneret.
Jérémy Jouve plays on Savarez, Alliance red and Cantiga Premium blue strings
Paula Sobral

PAULA SOBRAL
Born in Sernancelhe, Viseu, she began her musical studies at the Conservatory of Music in Viseu, where she studied Guitar with Luís Lapa and Christopher Lyall. In 1994, she started the Degree in Music Teaching at the University of Aveiro, in the area of Classical Guitar, under the guidance of Paulo Vaz de Carvalho.
Later, Paula continued to study the instrument with guitarist Jozef Zsapka. She combined the study of the guitar with the teaching activity at the Viseu Conservatory, meanwhile participated in several masterclasses. She also taught at the School of Music of the Colégio de S. José (Guarda, Portugal) and at the Conservatory of Seia. Currently teaches at the Conservatory of Music of Viseu Dr. José de Azeredo Perdigão. In 2007 she concluded her Master’s Degree in Chamber Music at the University of Aveiro under the guidance of Professors Paulo Vaz de Carvalho, Helena Marinho, Fausto Neves, and guitarist Odair Assad.
From 1999 to 2014, together with José Carlos Sousa, she was artistic director of the Sernancelhe International Classical Guitar Competition and Festival, a pioneering event in the country. Since 2015 she has been artistic director of the International Guitar Competition in Viseu, a competition inserted in the International Music Festival of Spring in Viseu.
Her artistic activity is marked by her performance in chamber music with the guitar duo Concentus Duo, where she has played with Manuel Tavares since 2000. The duo performed in several cities in the country, at the Ciclo de Guitarra Clássica de Oliveira do Bairro Festival, Guitar Festival of the António de Almeida Foundation, International Festival of Sernancelhe, CCB, International Guitarmania Festival (Almada and Lisbon) and International Guitar Festival of Santo Tirso. Outside Portugal she was present at the International Guitar Festival in Hondarribia, Basque Country, “Guitarre-Essone” in Paris and the International Guitar Festival in Palencia, Spain. She’s a member of the Guitar Quartet of Viseu with which she has toured various venues in the country in concerts and recitals.
Born in Sernancelhe, Viseu, she began her musical studies at the Conservatory of Music in Viseu, where she studied Guitar with Luís Lapa and Christopher Lyall. In 1994, she started the Degree in Music Teaching at the University of Aveiro, in the area of Classical Guitar, under the guidance of Paulo Vaz de Carvalho.
Later, Paula continued to study the instrument with guitarist Jozef Zsapka. She combined the study of the guitar with the teaching activity at the Viseu Conservatory, meanwhile participated in several masterclasses. She also taught at the School of Music of the Colégio de S. José (Guarda, Portugal) and at the Conservatory of Seia. Currently teaches at the Conservatory of Music of Viseu Dr. José de Azeredo Perdigão. In 2007 she concluded her Master’s Degree in Chamber Music at the University of Aveiro under the guidance of Professors Paulo Vaz de Carvalho, Helena Marinho, Fausto Neves, and guitarist Odair Assad.
From 1999 to 2014, together with José Carlos Sousa, she was artistic director of the Sernancelhe International Classical Guitar Competition and Festival, a pioneering event in the country. Since 2015 she has been artistic director of the International Guitar Competition in Viseu, a competition inserted in the International Music Festival of Spring in Viseu.
Her artistic activity is marked by her performance in chamber music with the guitar duo Concentus Duo, where she has played with Manuel Tavares since 2000. The duo performed in several cities in the country, at the Ciclo de Guitarra Clássica de Oliveira do Bairro Festival, Guitar Festival of the António de Almeida Foundation, International Festival of Sernancelhe, CCB, International Guitarmania Festival (Almada and Lisbon) and International Guitar Festival of Santo Tirso. Outside Portugal she was present at the International Guitar Festival in Hondarribia, Basque Country, “Guitarre-Essone” in Paris and the International Guitar Festival in Palencia, Spain. She’s a member of the Guitar Quartet of Viseu with which she has toured various venues in the country in concerts and recitals.
José Carlos Sousa

JOSÉ CARLOS SOUSA
José Carlos Almeida de Sousa was born in Viseu – Portugal, in 1972. He started his musical studies at the Regional Music Conservatory Dr. Azeredo Perdigão, in his hometown where he completed the general composition course in 1995.
In 1996 he continued his studies at the University of Aveiro, where he completed his degree in Composition, in the year 2000.
He studied composition and electronic music with Evgueni Zoudilkin, João Pedro Oliveira and Isabel Soveral. He also attended several seminars on composition and electronic music guided by the composers such as Jorge Antunes, Alain Sève, Tomás Henriques, Flo Menezes, François Bayle and Emmanuel Nunes.
In June 2005, he concluded, at the University of Aveiro, a master’s degree in music with a specialization in composition, under the theme “The Timbre and its Metamorphoses in the Compositional Process of Electroacoustic Music”.
He has taught at the University of Aveiro and at the Piaget Institute in Viseu.
He was, together with Paula Sobral, organizer and artistic director of the International Classical Guitar Competition and Festival of Sernancelhe, until its 15th edition.
Since 2008, he has organized and is the Artistic Director of the Viseu International Spring Music Festival.
In 1995 he won the first prize in the 1st composition contest at the conservatory where he studied, with the children’s work for piano, “Almofada (Cushion)”.
In the Electroacoustic Composition Competition “Música Viva 2000”, he was awarded an Honorable Mention. In April 2001 he was awarded his work “Viagem” in the aforementioned competition, integrated into Porto 2001 European Capital of Culture.
His latest works are the result of orders from several national and international institutions and his music has been played in several Portuguese cities and in several music festivals: Música Viva Festival (Portugal), Primavera en La Habana (Cuba), Aveiro S Synthesis (Portugal), “33e Festival International des Musiques et Créations Electroniques” (Bourges – France), Contest and International Guitar Festival (Sernancelhe – Portugal), 14th World Saxophone Congress (Slovenia), “Guitarmania” – International Classical Guitar Festival (Almada – Portugal), Guitar Festival of Palencia (Spain), Dias Festival of Electroacoustic Music (Seia – Portugal), “Synthesis” – Guarda Contemporary Music Cycle (Portugal), Santo Tirso International Guitar Festival (Portugal), Festival Spring Music Festival in Viseu (Portugal), 8th International Guitar´Essonne Festival – (Paris – France), Electroacoustic Music Days at the Santa Cruz Air Race (Portugal), VIII Sevilla Guitar Festival (Spain), Tempo Reale Festival 2018 Florence (Italy).
He is currently a professor of composition at the Conservatory of Music of Viseu, also holding the position of Pedagogical Director of the Conservatory since 2004.
José Carlos Almeida de Sousa was born in Viseu – Portugal, in 1972. He started his musical studies at the Regional Music Conservatory Dr. Azeredo Perdigão, in his hometown where he completed the general composition course in 1995.
In 1996 he continued his studies at the University of Aveiro, where he completed his degree in Composition, in the year 2000.
He studied composition and electronic music with Evgueni Zoudilkin, João Pedro Oliveira and Isabel Soveral. He also attended several seminars on composition and electronic music guided by the composers such as Jorge Antunes, Alain Sève, Tomás Henriques, Flo Menezes, François Bayle and Emmanuel Nunes.
In June 2005, he concluded, at the University of Aveiro, a master’s degree in music with a specialization in composition, under the theme “The Timbre and its Metamorphoses in the Compositional Process of Electroacoustic Music”.
He has taught at the University of Aveiro and at the Piaget Institute in Viseu.
He was, together with Paula Sobral, organizer and artistic director of the International Classical Guitar Competition and Festival of Sernancelhe, until its 15th edition.
Since 2008, he has organized and is the Artistic Director of the Viseu International Spring Music Festival.
In 1995 he won the first prize in the 1st composition contest at the conservatory where he studied, with the children’s work for piano, “Almofada (Cushion)”.
In the Electroacoustic Composition Competition “Música Viva 2000”, he was awarded an Honorable Mention. In April 2001 he was awarded his work “Viagem” in the aforementioned competition, integrated into Porto 2001 European Capital of Culture.
His latest works are the result of orders from several national and international institutions and his music has been played in several Portuguese cities and in several music festivals: Música Viva Festival (Portugal), Primavera en La Habana (Cuba), Aveiro S Synthesis (Portugal), “33e Festival International des Musiques et Créations Electroniques” (Bourges – France), Contest and International Guitar Festival (Sernancelhe – Portugal), 14th World Saxophone Congress (Slovenia), “Guitarmania” – International Classical Guitar Festival (Almada – Portugal), Guitar Festival of Palencia (Spain), Dias Festival of Electroacoustic Music (Seia – Portugal), “Synthesis” – Guarda Contemporary Music Cycle (Portugal), Santo Tirso International Guitar Festival (Portugal), Festival Spring Music Festival in Viseu (Portugal), 8th International Guitar´Essonne Festival – (Paris – France), Electroacoustic Music Days at the Santa Cruz Air Race (Portugal), VIII Sevilla Guitar Festival (Spain), Tempo Reale Festival 2018 Florence (Italy).
He is currently a professor of composition at the Conservatory of Music of Viseu, also holding the position of Pedagogical Director of the Conservatory since 2004.
Karol Samuelčík

KAROL SAMUELČÍK
Karol was born in 1991, Banská Bystrica (Slovakia), where he also studied at Music school of J. Cikker with Zuzana Meleková. During years 2007 – 2011 gained education at the Conservatory in Žilina in class of doc. Ján Labant. Between 2011-2016 was studying at the Academy of music and performing arts in Bratislava with prof. Jozef Zsapka. He has graduated with the highest honour, Prize of the Rector. He enriched his musical progress during exchange studies at Conservatorio Superior de Música in Vigo (Spain, pedagogue – Margarita Escarpa) and during studies at Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya in Barcelona (Spain, pedagogue – Álex Garrobé). In 2019 he finished his postgraduate study at Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava under tuition of world renowned professor Jozef Zsapka. Currently, he is teaching at Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava (Slovakia).
Karol had performed in the numerous cities in the whole Slovakia (Bratislava – International guitar festival J.K. Mertz, Sunday matinee; Žilina – Allegretto; Nitra – Cithara Aediculae; Prešov – Presov Music Spring, Presov Days of Classical Guitar, Iuvenilis Cithara; Banská Bystrica; and many others) and abroad (Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Czech republic, Italy, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, China, Hong Kong, …). In 2019 realized his debut tour in countries of South America, in cities of Buenos Aires (Argentine), Montevideo (Uruguay), Santiago, Temuco (Chile) or Porto Alegre (Brazil). As a soloist performed with orchestras as The Slovak Philharmonic; The Slovak State Philharmonic, Košice; Cappella Istropolitana; The Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina; Hong Kong Metropolitan Pop Orchestra; Musica Cassovia and with string quartet Mucha quartet.
He recorded for company Diskant records two CDs: debut CD with compositions by Isaac Albéniz, Johann Sebastian Bach and Vicente Asencio and CD Impresiones de Catalunya focused on catalan music.
He has attented a lot of International guitar festivals and masterclasses with such a great artists like L. Brouwer, S. Assad, P. Steidl, C. Domeniconi, M. Socias, R. Smits, M. Dylla, A. Pierri, C. Marchione, R. Dyens and the others. Karol gained 1. prize at the International guitar competition of J.K. Mertza 2012, Thailand International Guitar Competition 2016, Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Scholarship program 2012/2013, International guitar competition of Ivan Balla in Dolný Kubín 2009, The Slovak Conservatories Students Competition 2009. In 2013 received a prize for the best performance of an italian piece in international competition Udine (Italy). In 2015 became one of laureates at Forum Gitarre Wien. He was awarded prize of Student personality of Slovakia in acad. year 2016/2017 in category Culture and art.
From 2013 he has joined to the organization team of J. K. Mertz festival in Bratislava. Karol is playing the guitar by Dennis Tolz and the romantic guitar, model Stauffer, made by slovak luthier Martin Okenica.
Karol was born in 1991, Banská Bystrica (Slovakia), where he also studied at Music school of J. Cikker with Zuzana Meleková. During years 2007 – 2011 gained education at the Conservatory in Žilina in class of doc. Ján Labant. Between 2011-2016 was studying at the Academy of music and performing arts in Bratislava with prof. Jozef Zsapka. He has graduated with the highest honour, Prize of the Rector. He enriched his musical progress during exchange studies at Conservatorio Superior de Música in Vigo (Spain, pedagogue – Margarita Escarpa) and during studies at Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya in Barcelona (Spain, pedagogue – Álex Garrobé). In 2019 he finished his postgraduate study at Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava under tuition of world renowned professor Jozef Zsapka. Currently, he is teaching at Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava (Slovakia).
Karol had performed in the numerous cities in the whole Slovakia (Bratislava – International guitar festival J.K. Mertz, Sunday matinee; Žilina – Allegretto; Nitra – Cithara Aediculae; Prešov – Presov Music Spring, Presov Days of Classical Guitar, Iuvenilis Cithara; Banská Bystrica; and many others) and abroad (Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Czech republic, Italy, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, China, Hong Kong, …). In 2019 realized his debut tour in countries of South America, in cities of Buenos Aires (Argentine), Montevideo (Uruguay), Santiago, Temuco (Chile) or Porto Alegre (Brazil). As a soloist performed with orchestras as The Slovak Philharmonic; The Slovak State Philharmonic, Košice; Cappella Istropolitana; The Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina; Hong Kong Metropolitan Pop Orchestra; Musica Cassovia and with string quartet Mucha quartet.
He recorded for company Diskant records two CDs: debut CD with compositions by Isaac Albéniz, Johann Sebastian Bach and Vicente Asencio and CD Impresiones de Catalunya focused on catalan music.
He has attented a lot of International guitar festivals and masterclasses with such a great artists like L. Brouwer, S. Assad, P. Steidl, C. Domeniconi, M. Socias, R. Smits, M. Dylla, A. Pierri, C. Marchione, R. Dyens and the others. Karol gained 1. prize at the International guitar competition of J.K. Mertza 2012, Thailand International Guitar Competition 2016, Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Scholarship program 2012/2013, International guitar competition of Ivan Balla in Dolný Kubín 2009, The Slovak Conservatories Students Competition 2009. In 2013 received a prize for the best performance of an italian piece in international competition Udine (Italy). In 2015 became one of laureates at Forum Gitarre Wien. He was awarded prize of Student personality of Slovakia in acad. year 2016/2017 in category Culture and art.
From 2013 he has joined to the organization team of J. K. Mertz festival in Bratislava. Karol is playing the guitar by Dennis Tolz and the romantic guitar, model Stauffer, made by slovak luthier Martin Okenica.
Alexis Muzurakis

ALEXIS MUZURAKIS
Alexis Muzurakis was born in Athens (Greece) in 1976. He began his musical studies at the Conservatory of Lamia with Dimitris Condoyiannis, finishing his studies with honours. He continues his musical education with Costas Cotsiolis at the High Conservatory of Athens. After that he makes
postgraduate studies at the Royal High Conservatory of Madrid (Spain) with Miguel Ángel Jiménez and at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Holland) with Zoran Dukic. Then he makes master studies at the High Music School “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” of Leipzig (Germany) with Carlo Marchione, finishing in every occasion with the highest marks. He studied also Chamber Music at the High Music School “Hanns Eisler” of Berlin (Germany) with Eugenia Kanthou.
He has attended masterclasses with David Russell, Sergio and Oddair Assad, Joaquín Clerch, Hopkinson Smith and others.
He was scholarship holder of the Onassis Foundation and the NaFöG Stipendium.
He has won the following competitions: First prize in the National Competition of young musicians of Greece (1989); International Guitar Competition of Volos (Greece, 1992).
He has played concerts in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, and more.
Since 1999 he plays duo with the Spanish guitarist Susana Prieto, founding the Guitar Duo Melis.
From 2006 teaches at the Music Academy of Strasbourg (France).
Alexis Muzurakis was born in Athens (Greece) in 1976. He began his musical studies at the Conservatory of Lamia with Dimitris Condoyiannis, finishing his studies with honours. He continues his musical education with Costas Cotsiolis at the High Conservatory of Athens. After that he makes
postgraduate studies at the Royal High Conservatory of Madrid (Spain) with Miguel Ángel Jiménez and at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Holland) with Zoran Dukic. Then he makes master studies at the High Music School “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” of Leipzig (Germany) with Carlo Marchione, finishing in every occasion with the highest marks. He studied also Chamber Music at the High Music School “Hanns Eisler” of Berlin (Germany) with Eugenia Kanthou.
He has attended masterclasses with David Russell, Sergio and Oddair Assad, Joaquín Clerch, Hopkinson Smith and others.
He was scholarship holder of the Onassis Foundation and the NaFöG Stipendium.
He has won the following competitions: First prize in the National Competition of young musicians of Greece (1989); International Guitar Competition of Volos (Greece, 1992).
He has played concerts in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Spain, Mexico, and more.
Since 1999 he plays duo with the Spanish guitarist Susana Prieto, founding the Guitar Duo Melis.
From 2006 teaches at the Music Academy of Strasbourg (France).
Susana Prieto

SUSANA PRIETO
Susana Prieto was born in Santander (Spain) in 1975. She studied with José Luís Fernández and Margarita Escarpa at the Conservatory of Gijón (Asturias), finishing her studies with honors. She continued her musical education at the Royal High Conservatory of Madrid with Manuel Estévez. After that she made postgraduate studies with Zoran Dukic at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Holland) and master studies at the High Music School “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” of Leipzig (Germany) with Carlo Marchione, finishing on both occasions with the highest marks. She studied also Chamber Music at the High Music School “Hanns Eisler” of Berlin (Germany) with Eugenia Kanthou.
She has attended masterclasses with David Russell, Costas Cotsiolis, Manuel Barrueco, Joaquín Clerch, Hopkison Smith, Sergio y Odair Assad, Gerardo Arriaga and others.
She has been a scholarship holder from several foundations: Alvargonzález Foundation, Segundo Gil Dávila Foundation, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and NaFöG Stipendium.
She has won the following prizes: Second prize at the International Guitar Competition of Canarias (Spain, 1996); First prize at the International Guitar Competition of Volos (Greece, 1997); First Prize at the National Music Competition of Yamaha-Hazen (Spain, 1998); First prize at the International Guitar Competition of Comillas (Spain, 1997); Second prize at the Young Musicians Competition (Spain, 1998).
She has played concerts in Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece, and more.
Since 1999 she plays in the Guitar Duo Melis with the Greek guitarist Alexis Muzurakis.
From 2006 teaches at the Music Academy of Strasbourg (France).
Susana Prieto was born in Santander (Spain) in 1975. She studied with José Luís Fernández and Margarita Escarpa at the Conservatory of Gijón (Asturias), finishing her studies with honors. She continued her musical education at the Royal High Conservatory of Madrid with Manuel Estévez. After that she made postgraduate studies with Zoran Dukic at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Holland) and master studies at the High Music School “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” of Leipzig (Germany) with Carlo Marchione, finishing on both occasions with the highest marks. She studied also Chamber Music at the High Music School “Hanns Eisler” of Berlin (Germany) with Eugenia Kanthou.
She has attended masterclasses with David Russell, Costas Cotsiolis, Manuel Barrueco, Joaquín Clerch, Hopkison Smith, Sergio y Odair Assad, Gerardo Arriaga and others.
She has been a scholarship holder from several foundations: Alvargonzález Foundation, Segundo Gil Dávila Foundation, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and NaFöG Stipendium.
She has won the following prizes: Second prize at the International Guitar Competition of Canarias (Spain, 1996); First prize at the International Guitar Competition of Volos (Greece, 1997); First Prize at the National Music Competition of Yamaha-Hazen (Spain, 1998); First prize at the International Guitar Competition of Comillas (Spain, 1997); Second prize at the Young Musicians Competition (Spain, 1998).
She has played concerts in Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany, Italy, Greece, and more.
Since 1999 she plays in the Guitar Duo Melis with the Greek guitarist Alexis Muzurakis.
From 2006 teaches at the Music Academy of Strasbourg (France).
Pedro Rufino

PEDRO RUFINO
Pedro Rufino was born in Nisa and started his first contacts with music at Sociedade Musical Nisense. In 1987 he joined the Castelo Branco Regional Conservatory where he studied guitar under the Professor Paulo Valente Pereira until the 5th grade and finished the complementary course under the Professor Eli Camargo Júnior.
He concluded in the Superior School of Music of Lisbon the Licentiate and the Master in Music Teaching – Instrument and Ensemble Class in the Superior School of Applied Arts of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco. Since 1996 he has been teaching the discipline of Guitar and Ensemble Class in the Music and Dance Academy of Fundão where he has developed various projects. Since 1997 he is a member of the jury of the International Competition “Cidade do Fundão” – Guitar Variant. He also works in the Music and Arts Conservatory of the Centre.
He has participated in several festivals such as the III International Guitar Festival of Tomar, the participation in the International Festival of Novosibirski-Siberia, in the recital organized by the Camões Institute in Moscow (Russia), in Warsaw (Poland), in the XII International Winter Festival of Domingos Martins (Brazil), in the International Guitar Festival of Sernancelhe (Portugal), in the concert organized by the Professional Music Conservatory of Bilbao “Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga” (Spain), in the Guitar’Essonne International Festival (France), Elogio da Guitarra Festival (Portugal), Allegromosso Festival (Italy), Castelo Branco Guitar Festival and in several concerts promoted by RDP- Antena 2, highlighting the one held in Belém Cultural Centre.
Currently he is a member of the Quarteto Concordis and Artistic Director of Fundão International Guitar Festival.
Pedro Rufino was born in Nisa and started his first contacts with music at Sociedade Musical Nisense. In 1987 he joined the Castelo Branco Regional Conservatory where he studied guitar under the Professor Paulo Valente Pereira until the 5th grade and finished the complementary course under the Professor Eli Camargo Júnior.
He concluded in the Superior School of Music of Lisbon the Licentiate and the Master in Music Teaching – Instrument and Ensemble Class in the Superior School of Applied Arts of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco. Since 1996 he has been teaching the discipline of Guitar and Ensemble Class in the Music and Dance Academy of Fundão where he has developed various projects. Since 1997 he is a member of the jury of the International Competition “Cidade do Fundão” – Guitar Variant. He also works in the Music and Arts Conservatory of the Centre.
He has participated in several festivals such as the III International Guitar Festival of Tomar, the participation in the International Festival of Novosibirski-Siberia, in the recital organized by the Camões Institute in Moscow (Russia), in Warsaw (Poland), in the XII International Winter Festival of Domingos Martins (Brazil), in the International Guitar Festival of Sernancelhe (Portugal), in the concert organized by the Professional Music Conservatory of Bilbao “Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga” (Spain), in the Guitar’Essonne International Festival (France), Elogio da Guitarra Festival (Portugal), Allegromosso Festival (Italy), Castelo Branco Guitar Festival and in several concerts promoted by RDP- Antena 2, highlighting the one held in Belém Cultural Centre.
Currently he is a member of the Quarteto Concordis and Artistic Director of Fundão International Guitar Festival.
André Cardoso

ANDRÉ CARDOSO
André Cardoso was born in 1980. He attended the Alves Martins Secondary School in Viseu in the Arts and Crafts Technological Course. He enrolled in the Visual and Technological Education Course which he abandoned in order to dedicate himself exclusively to the study of music. He attended the Conservatório Regional de Música de Viseu Dr. Azeredo Perdigão, where he studied classical guitar with teachers Paula Sobral and Christopher Lyall. Later he entered in the University of Aveiro, in the course of Licentiate in Music Teaching, in the specific instrument of Classical Guitar. His teachers were Josef Zshapka and Paulo Vaz de Carvalho. In the discipline of Chamber Music he studied with the teacher António Chagas Rosa. He participated in masterclasses of classic guitar and chamber music oriented by Christhopher Lyall, Timothy Walker, Olga Prats, Betho Davezac, Roberto Aussel, Carlo Marchione, Judicael Perroy, Tal Hurwitz, Yamandu Costa, Jérémy Jouve, Thibault Cauvin among others. He has recorded for RDP Antena 2 and Antena 1. He was soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Beiras. He has played with Orquestra Clássica do Centro and Orquestra Aeminium. He has played chamber music with a variety of formations highlighting ‘Duo Lontano’ (2003-2010, classical guitar duo) and the Guitar Quartet of Viseu (2012-). Within folk and world music he played and participated in projects such as Quimera Quinteto (music by Astor Piazzolla), Toques do Caramulo (folk mountain), Contracorrente (world intervention music), Tocar o Chão (music by Carlos Peninha), Terra da Fraternidade – ACERT (tribute to Zeca Afonso), Isabel Silvestre and Cantares de Manhouce, among other groups and musicians. He integrated the group ‘A Presença das Formigas’ (2009-) where he is interpreter and composer. This group won the Zeca Afonso Award at the Festival Cantar Abril in Almada (2009). At the same festival he won the Adriano Correia de Oliveira Award with ‘Contracorrente’ (2013). He participates as guest interpreter and musician in the albums: ‘Ciclorama’ (2010) and ‘Pé de Vento’ (2014) from ‘A Presença das Formigas’; ‘Contracorrente’ – D’Orfeu (2013); ‘A Viagem do Elefante’ – ACERT (2014) 14 songs from the show, with Luís Pastor and ‘A Cor da Língua ACERT’; ‘Mina’ (2016); ‘Tocar o Chão’ (2017); Sara Vidal (2018); Manuel Maio (2019). He also participated as performer and composer in ‘Fil’Mus’ (2010-2020, live music cinema), ‘Crónicas de Inverno’ (2015, poetry), ‘O Banco do Tempo’ (2014, dance), ‘Fogo Correndo’ (2019-, theatre). He composed with Manuel Maio, music for the choreographic video ‘Perpetuum’ (2016). He started doing amateur theatre at the age of 14. He co-founded the ‘AdHoc’ Project (1998) where he won awards with the original works ‘If I wasn’t from here, I’d find all this very strange’ (1999) and ‘Madness, is this madness?’ (2000). He participated as actor and creator, in the play ‘Twister’ (2002) with direction and texts by Jorge Fraga. He has directed several artistic projects with communities and amateur theatre groups mainly in the district of Viseu. In 2007 he co-founded the ‘Zunzum’ Cultural Association and integrated its artistic and directive body until 2017. He was founder and artistic director of the festival ‘Outono Quente’ (2012-2017). He has participated in dozens of theatrical works as narrator, director, actor, musician. He has performed regularly, throughout the country and abroad, with different musical and artistic projects namely in Spain, France, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Holland, USA, Switzerland. He was part of the jury of the International Competition of Classical Guitar at the Spring Music Festival of Viseu (2016-). He taught at Conservatório de Música de Águeda (2002-2004) and Conservatório de Música da Guarda (2004-2006). Since 2004, he has been teaching classical guitar at Conservatório Regional de Música Dr. Azeredo Perdigão in Viseu.
André Cardoso was born in 1980. He attended the Alves Martins Secondary School in Viseu in the Arts and Crafts Technological Course. He enrolled in the Visual and Technological Education Course which he abandoned in order to dedicate himself exclusively to the study of music. He attended the Conservatório Regional de Música de Viseu Dr. Azeredo Perdigão, where he studied classical guitar with teachers Paula Sobral and Christopher Lyall. Later he entered in the University of Aveiro, in the course of Licentiate in Music Teaching, in the specific instrument of Classical Guitar. His teachers were Josef Zshapka and Paulo Vaz de Carvalho. In the discipline of Chamber Music he studied with the teacher António Chagas Rosa. He participated in masterclasses of classic guitar and chamber music oriented by Christhopher Lyall, Timothy Walker, Olga Prats, Betho Davezac, Roberto Aussel, Carlo Marchione, Judicael Perroy, Tal Hurwitz, Yamandu Costa, Jérémy Jouve, Thibault Cauvin among others. He has recorded for RDP Antena 2 and Antena 1. He was soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Beiras. He has played with Orquestra Clássica do Centro and Orquestra Aeminium. He has played chamber music with a variety of formations highlighting ‘Duo Lontano’ (2003-2010, classical guitar duo) and the Guitar Quartet of Viseu (2012-). Within folk and world music he played and participated in projects such as Quimera Quinteto (music by Astor Piazzolla), Toques do Caramulo (folk mountain), Contracorrente (world intervention music), Tocar o Chão (music by Carlos Peninha), Terra da Fraternidade – ACERT (tribute to Zeca Afonso), Isabel Silvestre and Cantares de Manhouce, among other groups and musicians. He integrated the group ‘A Presença das Formigas’ (2009-) where he is interpreter and composer. This group won the Zeca Afonso Award at the Festival Cantar Abril in Almada (2009). At the same festival he won the Adriano Correia de Oliveira Award with ‘Contracorrente’ (2013). He participates as guest interpreter and musician in the albums: ‘Ciclorama’ (2010) and ‘Pé de Vento’ (2014) from ‘A Presença das Formigas’; ‘Contracorrente’ – D’Orfeu (2013); ‘A Viagem do Elefante’ – ACERT (2014) 14 songs from the show, with Luís Pastor and ‘A Cor da Língua ACERT’; ‘Mina’ (2016); ‘Tocar o Chão’ (2017); Sara Vidal (2018); Manuel Maio (2019). He also participated as performer and composer in ‘Fil’Mus’ (2010-2020, live music cinema), ‘Crónicas de Inverno’ (2015, poetry), ‘O Banco do Tempo’ (2014, dance), ‘Fogo Correndo’ (2019-, theatre). He composed with Manuel Maio, music for the choreographic video ‘Perpetuum’ (2016). He started doing amateur theatre at the age of 14. He co-founded the ‘AdHoc’ Project (1998) where he won awards with the original works ‘If I wasn’t from here, I’d find all this very strange’ (1999) and ‘Madness, is this madness?’ (2000). He participated as actor and creator, in the play ‘Twister’ (2002) with direction and texts by Jorge Fraga. He has directed several artistic projects with communities and amateur theatre groups mainly in the district of Viseu. In 2007 he co-founded the ‘Zunzum’ Cultural Association and integrated its artistic and directive body until 2017. He was founder and artistic director of the festival ‘Outono Quente’ (2012-2017). He has participated in dozens of theatrical works as narrator, director, actor, musician. He has performed regularly, throughout the country and abroad, with different musical and artistic projects namely in Spain, France, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Holland, USA, Switzerland. He was part of the jury of the International Competition of Classical Guitar at the Spring Music Festival of Viseu (2016-). He taught at Conservatório de Música de Águeda (2002-2004) and Conservatório de Música da Guarda (2004-2006). Since 2004, he has been teaching classical guitar at Conservatório Regional de Música Dr. Azeredo Perdigão in Viseu.