Guest Artist
Paul Psarras
Guitarist Paul Psarras has embraced a broad range of musical styles throughout his young career. Rooted by his Greek heritage, he was exposed to Greek folk music from a young age that led to his career as a professional musician.
This year's performances included an appearance with the San Francisco Symphony and conductor/composer John Adams in his nativity oratorio El Nino, with Soprano Dawn Upshaw. As a member with the Pacific Guitar Ensemble he performed in a five concert tour of the Bay Area. In addition, his own composition Alkioni for oud and mixed guitar ensemble was performed throughout the bay area.
In 2010 he was featured on a world premiere recording of acclaimed Russian composer Sophia Gubaidulina's Repentence, featuring guitarists David Tanenbaum and Thomas Viloteau. He was also recorded in Belinda Reynolds' ensemble work Begin with the Pacific Guitar Ensemble.
For the last decade Paul has been rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist with Fotia, a successful Bay Area-based Greek band that has played various cultural events through out the United States.
Paul took second prize in the 2008 Wesley Day solo classical guitar recording competition and was a prize winner at the 2010 Sierra Nevada classical guitar competition.
He was a finalist in the 2009 and 2011 San Francisco Conservatory of Music concerto competitions.
Watch videos of Paul in action below:
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