Artemis Guitar Duo

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Brooklyn Public Library — Carroll Gardens
396 Clinton St, Brooklyn NY 11231

Artemis Guitar Duo combines Latin American rhythmic vibes with Italian lyricism. Classical guitarists Katty Mayorga and Isabella Abbonizio founded the ensemble in 2019. Together, they perform a varied repertoire from the past to the present, with particular attention to new music written by female and emerging composers.

The program will include music by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Ida Presti, Paulo Bellinati, Egberto Gismonti, Moira Lo Bianco, Jean Lopes Baiano, and Enrique Granados.

  • Isabella Abbonizio is an Italian-naturalized American guitarist, musicologist and educator, based in NYC. She holds a Ph.D. in musicology (University of Rome), M.A. with honors in musicology (University of Bologna) and Guitar Diploma (Conservatory of Bologna).

    As a guitarist, Isabella performs internationally as a soloist and in chamber ensembles as part of Artemis Guitar Duo with guitarist Katty Mayorga. She studied under the guidance of Griselda Ponce De Leon, a pupil of Andrés Segovia, and performed in masterclasses with Frédéric Zigante, Roland Dyens, Judicael Perroi, João Luiz Rezende, Paolo Bellinati, Marta Masters, Laura Snowden among others.

    Isabella is also a Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher and was recently selected for joining the RCM College of Examiners. A guitar advocate, she is co-founder and co-artistic director of Lanciano International Guitar Seminar and co-founder and CEO of DalMaestro.

    In addition to her performances, educational and entrepreneurial activities, Isabella is a published researcher, and was a visiting scholar at New York University 2012-2019. She has presented her works at prestigious international cultural and academic institutions including New York University, International Musicological Society and Guitar Foundation of America.

  • Katty Mayorga is a Nicaraguan-American guitarist, composer, educator and songwriter based in NYC. Her performances encompass various styles from classical and folkloric music from Latin America to the neo-classical. Katty actively performs in the USA, Latin America, and Europe as a soloist and as part of Artemis Guitar Duo with guitarist Isabella Abbonizio, and with the flute and guitar group JKLM Duo with Jamie Lee.

    She has premiered new musicals showcasing minorities and worked with award winning Latin American choreographers on classical, acoustic and electric guitar. Katty has shared the stage with Marvin Hamlisch, Kelli O’Hara, amongst other notable celebrities. Masterclasses and mentorships include: Peter Press, Laura Snowden, Susana Prieto, Dale Kavanagh, Douglas Lora, Paolo Bellinati, João Luiz Rezende. Katty graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY Purchase and holds a Master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance under the tutelage of Frederic Hand.