UofL Guitar Festival and Competition Returns October 9-11, 2026

The University of Louisville Guitar Festival and Competition returns October 9 through 11, 2026, at UofL's Comstock Concert Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. Led by guitarist, UofL Assistant Professor, and TeacherNet instructor Carlos Bedoya as Festival and Competition Director, the weekend brings together performers, pedagogues, students, and guitar enthusiasts for a full slate of concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and competition rounds.

This year's guest artist roster includes 2025 GFA Competition winner Virgile Barthe, along with Hao Yang (this year's GSI Foundation scholar), Natan Zlodre, the W.E. Duo (Weiru Sheng and Erdong Li), Jiu Jiu Wu, the Chimera Guitar Quartet, and the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra. They are joined on the teaching faculty by Dennis Davis of Eastern Kentucky University, Dieter Hennings of the University of Kentucky, Daniel Duarte of Indiana University, Andrew Zohn of Columbus State University, Jason Martinez of the New Jersey Guitar Orchestra, and Carlos Bedoya himself.

The competition welcomes guitarists across four divisions, from a recreational Youth Division I for players under fifteen, through Youth Division II, the Collegiate Division, and the Open Division for guitarists of all ages. Online registration opens Friday, September 11, and closes Friday, October 2. Concert tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students, available online in September or at the box office before each performance.

For full schedule details, registration, and ticket information, visit the UofL Guitar Festival page.