A Curated Series of Genre-Redefining Classical Guitar Performances to Be Held at Carnegie Hall

– Award-winning guitarists Thibault Cauvin and Kyu-Hee Park to open the 2012-2013 D’Addario Performance Series presented by the D’Addario  Foundation –

NEW YORK, NY—A  revolution is developing in the world of underground classical guitar, and the D’Addario Performance Series gives New York City its first look  into the dramatically updated sounds of this rapidly evolving genre.

The 2012-2013 Performance Series opens Thursday, October 18, 2012, with a pair of extraordinary guitar performances including the Carnegie Hall debut of French phenomenon Thibault Cauvin.

Cauvin, who was recently cited by the Los Angeles Times as a “technically adroit and highly musical player who’s also blessed with open ears,” has developed a unique and electrifying  playing style that is blazing the trail for the new generation of modern, musically adventurous classical guitarists. Percussive, precise and passion-filled, Cauvin’s style is reinvigorating the genre and introducing an entirely new audience to its  sound.

Charismatic and magnetic South Korean guitar prodigy Kyu-Hee Park will also perform at October’s event. She has quickly gained international acclaim for her ferocious, though musical attack and acute sense of tone, recently taking home the coveted First Prize and Audience Prize at the prestigious Alhambra  International Competition.

“The D’Addario Performance Series has always been about hand-selecting the finest international rising stars and providing an opportunity for them to inspire New York City audiences. But that’s only half the story,” commented Suzanne D’Addario  Brouder, director of the D’Addario Foundation. “These uniquely talented  musicians also help us bring inspiration to city children during school visits organized with partnering education programs.”

Since 1981, the D’Addario Foundation has been committed to inspiring and assisting the growth and appreciation of music throughout the world. The primary mission of the foundation is to support community-based music-education programs in underserved areas. School visits are arranged for many of the musicians who perform in the foundation’s D’Addario Performance Series.

D’Addario Performance Series events are held at Weill  Hall, the adorned and intimate 268-seat theater nestled inside New York City’s famous Carnegie Hall. From Billie Holiday to Bob Dylan to the Buena Vista Social Club, the celebrated Manhattan  landmark is no stranger to bold and dynamic performers of all musical  genres who pushed the limits and defied expectation.

An after party will be hosted by the foundation in Carnegie Hall’s Jacob Room directly following the event. During the party audience members will have the opportunity to meet the performers  and enjoy the open bar. All ticket holders are invited  to the after party.

Ticket prices begin at $20 and can be purchased through Carnegie Hall’s website at http://bit.ly/Nhkk8U.

For more information about the event, the D’Addario Foundation or the D’Addario Performance Series please email  foundation@daddario.com or visit daddariofoundation.org.

Praise for the D’Addario Performance Series:

“If you want to see the future of the classical guitar, go to the  D'Addario Performance Series at Carnegie Hall! The Series' aim is to  present the very best of upcoming classical  guitar talent, many of whom are making their U.S. debuts. Today's  international classical guitar scene is just exploding with spectacular  new talent and this wonderful series, underwritten by the D'Addario  Music Foundation, provides a unique opportunity to  hear these amazing young musicians in the intimacy and pristine  acoustics of Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.”

-- John Dearman (member of GRAMMY® award-winning guitar ensemble LAGQ)

“We can’t wait for October 18, which marks the  beginning of this season’s wonderful D’Addario Performance Series of  International Competition Winners in Concert, featuring two sensational  young award-winning guitarists in a concert of brilliant  contrasts—Kyu-hee Park’s refined interpretations of masterpieces of the  guitar literature, and Thibault Cauvin’s dynamic renditions of new  music from around the world.”

-- Laura Oltman and Michael Newman (Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo)

"One of the best things can happen to young  up-and-coming musician is a Carnegie Hall debut. I think this kind of  support provided by the D'Addario Foundation is priceless."

-- Artyom Dervoed (performer, D’Addario Performance Series 2011; 2010 winner of the JoAnn  Falletta International Competition, the Boston International Guitar  Competition and the Iserlohn  International Competition)

"Playing at the D´Addario Performance Series at  Carnegie Hall has been one of the highlights of my career so far. The  place feels so modern and aristocratic at the same time, and one really  wants to give his best at the moment he is on that  legendary stage. That combined with New York’s energy makes it an  unforgettable experience."

-- Rafael Aguirre Miñarro (performer, D’Addario Performance Series 2010)