pgs Guest artist series
​The Phoenix Guitar Society Presents
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Yifan Zhang
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Sunday, October 13, 2024, 1:00PM
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First United Methodist Church of Phoenix,
5510 N. Central ave, Phx. 85012,
Wesley Lounge​
The church is located on the north west corner of Central and Missouri. There is ample parking and the Wesley Lounge has easy access for everyone.
Join us Sunday, October 13th for Yifan Zahng.
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Yifan Zhang​
Classical guitarist Yifan Zhang hails from Wuhu, China. He is an active solo performer, chamber musician, and experienced educator living in Phoenix.
His dedication and talent bore fruit as he clinched impressive accolades in his journey. He won the 4th prize at the Xi'an International Guitar Art Festival in 2023 and achieved the 3rd prize at the China Wuhu Guitar Festival in 2018.
He has been selected for the 2022-2023 Richard & Babette Burns Guitar Scholarship and the 2021-22/2023-24 John Mardinly Guitar Award for excellence at Arizona State University.
His achievements also include a 2nd prize at the 5th Guitar Festival in 2013 at Hefei Normal University in China.
Zhang has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout his career, establishing his reputation in both the United States and China.
He has been a member of several acclaimed ensembles, including the University of Cincinnati Guitar Ensemble, the San Francisco Conservatory Guitar Ensemble, and the Arizona State University Guitar Ensemble.
Beyond his classical repertoire, Zhang holds a profound passion for Chinese music.
He aspires to expand the guitar's repertoire and capabilities by collaborating with composers to commission new guitar works. Notably, composer Yangfan Xu wrote her first guitar solo piece, "Soberless Dance (in the Mountains)," for Zhang in March 2021.
He premiered this composition in May 2021 at Sol Joseph Recital Hall in San Francisco.
Zhang made his Arizona recital debut in 2022 at the Katzin Concert Hall in Tempe.
Zhang made his San Francisco recital debut at Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall in 2019.
Zhang received both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with David Tanenbaum and Judicael Perroy.
He is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree as a student of Dr. Martha Masters. He is a Teaching Assistant at Arizona State University where he instructs collegiate-level classes.
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​PGS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and enrichment of Classical Guitar. This pursuit relies on the support of our generous community to continue its mission. Making a charitable donation is as easy as clicking on the link provided below. You can donate directly to PGS using PayPal or you can also make a donation at of one of our concerts. Please come and enjoy the concert Sunday 10/13.
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Connect & Support | PhoenixGuitarSociety
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Please donate to the Phoenix Guitar Society, without you we cannot exist.
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PGS COVID and Mask Policy:
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The Phoenix Guitar Society has developed a statement regarding COVID-19 and Mask requirements.
The CDC is not recommending wearing a mask at an indoor event in Maricopa County, PGS will not require wearing a mask or proof of vaccination, to our events at this time.
You are always welcome to wear a mask if you desire to do so. PGS will have a box of mask at the door for our indoor events.
This policy is subject to change based on community health and safety conditions. The Phoenix Guitar Society continues to follow guidance from the CDC, Maricopa County Health Department and other recognized health advisors.
Previous Artists (2024-2025)
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The Phoenix Guitar Society
Presents
Grupo Riken
Sunday, September 8, 2024, 2:00
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Biography - Grupo Riken,
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Grupo Riken has been performing in Arizona since 2009. They specialize in folkloric music from the Caribbean and Latin America. Genres like the Cuban bolero, Puerto Rican jibaro music, llanero, Latin jazz, salsa, and bossa nova.
The group’s unique sounds come from folk instruments like the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar, Peruvian Cajon, Afro-Caribbean percussion bongos, and congas, accompanied by the guitar.
The name Riken derives from the name given by the indigenous Tainos in Puerto Rico, which is called the island Boriken.
Grupo Riken has participated in local music festivals such as the Tucson Meet Yourself and has participated in Tohono Chul’s Sunday in the Garden concert series since 2015, as well as many collaborations with the University of Arizona and the Tucson Guitar Society.
They released their first CD titled De Aqui pa’ allá in 2016. In Spring 2019 they won second place at the SAACA Folk Music Festival in Oro Valley.
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José Luis Puerta (guitar), a native of Puerto Rico, has been an active Board Member of the Tucson Guitar Society since 2009. He is the Director of Education and the conductor for the Tucson Guitar Society Orchestra since 2013.
As a soloist and ensemble artist, he has performed in Canada, Spain, the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. He currently holds the position of Associate Professor of Music at the School of Music at the University of Arizona.
Alexis Rivera (cuatro) native of Puerto Rico, has been performing with different instruments, such as the bass, drums, guitar, and cuatro, with different groups throughout the Tucson area. Most recently with the LFP Project, Tradiciones, and Grupo Riken. He also records, composes, and edits some of the music for the group.
David Pérez (percussion) originally from Mexico City, studied congas with a Cuban teacher which gave him a deep understanding of Caribbean music such as the salsa, boleros, and guaguancó. He has performed with multiple groups and is an active member of Vox Urbana. Vox Urbana is a seven-piece band that combines Latin-based sounds with stories and experiences that occur in the Arizona/Sonora border region. The bi-national band is based in Tucson, Arizona, and has been creatively narrating stories of the border community since 2010.
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