South Korean guitarist Young Taek Jo has won the 2024 Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition, securing a $10,000 prize and a custom-made guitar by renowned Australian luthier Jim Redgate, valued at $23,000. Additionally, he earned a performance engagement at the 2025 Adelaide Guitar Festival.
Sotiris Athanasiou, a Greek-born guitarist based in Paris, claimed second place with a $4,000 prize, while Japanese guitarist Nene Yokomura took third place, receiving $2,000.
This year’s competition attracted participants from countries such as Australia, the United States, Spain, Malaysia, and Germany.
Founded in 2010 as part of the Adelaide Guitar Festival, the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition has grown in prominence. This year, the competition became a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, which is affiliated with UNESCO’s International Music Council and represents over 110 global music competitions. The 2023 winner, South Korean guitarist Deion Cho, performed a recital at this year’s festival.
Notable past winners include guitarists Andrew Blanch, Miles Johnston, Andrey Lebedev, and Pavel Ralev.
Slava Grigoryan, Artistic Director of the Adelaide Guitar Festival, extended his congratulations to the 2024 winner, saying, “I would like to congratulate Young Taek Jo from South Korea, who triumphed over an exceptional group of guitarists from around the world to win first prize at this year’s Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition.”
Grigoryan also expressed gratitude to all the participants, adding, “A huge thanks to the international and Australian participants who traveled to Adelaide. Each year, we are amazed by the immense talent on display.”
The 2024 Adelaide Guitar Festival, currently in progress, marks its 10th year under Grigoryan’s artistic direction. The festival features a diverse lineup of both Australian and international acts, with more Adelaide-based artists showcased this year than ever before.
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