Juan Carlos Chacón

Mexican guitarist considered one of the most important musicians of his country. Originally from Chihuahua, Chih., he began his studies in his hometown with Cleofas Villegas (who passed away in 2001) and continued with Javier Iturralde Alonso, a professor at the Burgos Conservatory in Spain. He later completed and perfected his musical and guitar studies at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico (National Institute of Fine Arts), under the guidance of guitarist Selvio Carrizosa.In addition to his knowledge of modern guitar repertoire, Juan Carlos has complemented his career with the study and interpretation of ancient instruments with Maestro Javier Hinojosa. He also studied in the "Polyphonic Studies and Composition Workshop" with Maestro Humberto Hernández Medrano.He made his professional debut in 1978 and since then has had a constant and intense career as a concert performer and recitalist in Mexico, France, Austria, the United States, and Spain, countries where his guitar art has been successful and received critical acclaim.He has participated as a soloist with various symphony and chamber orchestras, as well as in all of the most important concert halls in the country such as the Palace of Fine Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra, performing the most important works in the guitar repertoire. During his 45-year musical career, he has played more than 900 recitals and concerts.He has recorded several albums, one of which, titled "Latin American Soul," made it to the "Top Ten" (last ten for nominations for the Latin Grammys), and he recently recorded Claude Bolling's Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio.Chacón has also been a successful guitar instructor and has contributed to the training of young guitarists by teaching classes in Mexico, Spain, Austria, and the United States. Since 1985, he has been teaching at the National Conservatory of Music, where he currently holds the position of titular professor in the guitar department.In addition to his knowledge of modern guitar repertoire, Juan Carlos has complemented his career with the study and interpretation of ancient instruments with Maestro Javier Hinojosa. He also studied in the "Polyphonic Studies and Composition Workshop" with Maestro Humberto Hernández Medrano.He made his professional debut in 1978 and since then has had a constant and intense career as a concert performer and recitalist in Mexico, France, Austria, the United States, and Spain, countries where his guitar art has been successful and received critical acclaim.He has participated as a soloist with various symphony and chamber orchestras, as well as in all of the most important concert halls in the country such as the Palace of Fine Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra, performing the most important works in the guitar repertoire. During his 45-year musical career, he has played more than 900 recitals and concerts.He has recorded several albums, one of which, titled "Latin American Soul," made it to the "Top Ten" (last ten for nominations for the Latin Grammys), and he recently recorded Claude Bolling's Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio.Chacón has also been a successful guitar instructor and has contributed to the training of young guitarists by teaching classes in Mexico, Spain, Austria, and the United States. Since 1985, he has been teaching at the National Conservatory of Music, where he currently holds the position of titular professor in the guitar department.

ISOLDA HENRÍQUEZ CEJUDO

Born in Mexico City, she began her piano studies with Victor Urban and later at the National Conservatory of Music with Hector Rojas, where she graduated as a "Concert Pianist".She has attended piano improvement courses with Shirley Woodward, Eddisson Quintana, Stefan Arnold, Jörg Demus, and has participated in masterclasses with Harold Ossberger and Michael Lipp. She has taken composition courses with teachers Mario Lavista, Paul Barker, Stefano Discordanibio, and Alfredo Delmónaco; traditional Mexican music with the marimba player Nandayapa; jazz interpretation with Eduardo Piastro, Pablo Hidalgo Wong, and Enrique Neri.She frequently performs in solo recitals and chamber music with various instrumentalists, as well as accompanying singers, choirs, dance shows, and poetry in different concert halls in Mexico, Austria, and the United States, as well as giving masterclasses.She has been a soloist with various chamber orchestras, symphonic bands, wind bands, and symphony orchestras.She has held honorary positions at the National Conservatory of Music, such as Coordinator of the Piano Academy, titular advisor in the area of piano, organ, and harpsichord, and Academic Secretary; she is currently a Piano Teacher at the same institution, as well as President of the Manuel M. Ponce Musical Association, A.C., through which she organizes concert seasons in the Ponce Hall of the Palace of Fine Arts, National Museum of Art, Old Archbishop's Palace, Jose Luis Cuevas Museum, and other important halls in the country. She collaborates with the International Guitar Contest and Festival of the National Conservatory of Music and is the Academic Director of the "Raíces México" International Piano Festival.
Born in Mexico City, she began her piano studies with Victor Urban and later at the National Conservatory of Music with Hector Rojas, where she graduated as a "Concert Pianist".
She has attended piano improvement courses with Shirley Woodward, Eddisson Quintana, Stefan Arnold, Jörg Demus, and has participated in masterclasses with Harold Ossberger and Michael Lipp. She has taken composition courses with teachers Mario Lavista, Paul Barker, Stefano Discordanibio, and Alfredo Delmónaco; traditional Mexican music with the marimba player Nandayapa; jazz interpretation with Eduardo Piastro, Pablo Hidalgo Wong, and Enrique Neri.
She frequently performs in solo recitals and chamber music with various instrumentalists, as well as accompanying singers, choirs, dance shows, and poetry in different concert halls in Mexico, Austria, and the United States, as well as giving masterclasses.
She has been a soloist with various chamber orchestras, symphonic bands, wind bands, and symphony orchestras.
She has held honorary positions at the National Conservatory of Music, such as Coordinator of the Piano Academy, titular advisor in the area of piano, organ, and harpsichord, and Academic Secretary; she is currently a Piano Teacher at the same institution, as well as President of the Manuel M. Ponce Musical Association, A.C., through which she organizes concert seasons in the Ponce Hall of the Palace of Fine Arts, National Museum of Art, Old Archbishop's Palace, Jose Luis Cuevas Museum, and other important halls in the country. She collaborates with the International Guitar Contest and Festival of the National Conservatory of Music and is the Academic Director of the "Raíces México" International Piano Festival.