Laurel Harned: A Young Guitar Virtuoso at Siccas Guitars
We are thrilled to present the online concert of Laurel Harned, an incredibly talented 18-year-old classical guitarist from Redlands, California, on our YouTube channel. The concert was recorded in our studio in Karlsruhe, and we are excited to share this remarkable musical experience with the world.
Laurel began her musical journey at the age of nine under the guidance of Susan Graves and is currently studying with Jack Sanders. Her dedication and passion for the guitar have led to impressive achievements: in 2023, she won the Denver International Youth Competition and was the youngest semi-finalist in the Josephina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition. Additionally, she was selected as a semi-finalist in the James Stroud National Classical Guitar Competition in Cleveland for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023).
In the summer of 2023, Laurel attended the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute, where she worked intensively with the renowned Romero Quartet for ten days. She participated in masterclasses, solo performances, ensemble sessions, and private lessons. Laurel has completed the highest levels of the Certificate of Merit examinations in music theory and performance, receiving state honors, and was invited to audition for the Young Artist Guild of the Music Teachers’ Association of California.
Laurel has had the privilege of working with renowned musicians such as Ana Vidovic, Los Romeros, the Beijing Guitar Duo, Jason Vieaux, and Goran Krivokapić in masterclasses. In October 2023, she was one of only six young guitarists invited to participate in the exclusive Pre-College Guitar Virtuosos masterclass led by Manuel Barrueco at the Peabody Conservatory of Music.
Alongside her guitar studies, Laurel enjoys teaching beginner guitar students, outdoor activities like hiking and running, and helping out on her family’s small farm. In 2024, she will travel to Europe for the first time to attend the Volterra Project in Italy, a prestigious guitar program for which she received a full scholarship.
A major milestone in Laurel’s career is receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award 2024, which will allow her to study in Spain next summer and participate in additional festivals and competitions. In conjunction with this award, her music will also be featured in a special episode of NPR’s From The Top, titled “Musicians from Rural America,” airing in April 2024 on nearly 200 radio stations across the United States.
In 2024, Laurel will continue her studies to obtain a degree in guitar performance and plans to further her musical career. She has already competed in several high-profile competitions and is determined to pursue her path as a musician and performer. Her goal is to share her music worldwide, performing on both large stages and in more intimate settings.
Laurel’s impressive accomplishments and passion for music shine through in every performance. Her concert at Siccas Guitars is another highlight of her young but already remarkable career. We are proud to support her on this journey and warmly invite you to experience her incredible performance on our YouTube channel.
Laurel Harned is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of classical guitar – and this is just the beginning of her exciting musical journey.
