Free concert featuring classical guitar duo René Izquiedo & Elina Chekan and mandolin & classical guitar duo Carlo Aonzo & René Izuierdo. Sponsored by the Classical Mandolin Society of America and hosted by Austin Mandolin Orchestra.

Carlo Aonzo, a native of Savona, Italy, followed the family tradition of studying mandolin, first with his father, then with Ugo Orlandi at Padova’s Conservatory of Music. He founded and conducts the Italian Mandolin Academy Orchestra, regularly performs all over the world, and presents a workshop in Manhattan each summer.

René Izquierdo is a professor of classical guitar at the University of Wisconsin. As a concert artist, he has performed throughout the world, receiving wide critical acclaim for his performances. He is recognized as one of America’s classical guitar virtuosos, having won awards and competitions and shared the stage with many prestigious musicians.

Elina (Ella) Chekan teaches classical guitar at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she also directs the Suzuki and Pre-College Guitar Program. A native of Minsk, Belarus, Ella graduated from Minsk Music College, the Belarus Academy of Music, and Yale University. Combining active performance and teaching careers, Ella has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and abroad.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.