The Peck School of the Arts guitar program is recognized for its distinguished faculty and the achievements of its students and alumni. Led by internationally renowned artist René Izquierdo, the program continues to produce musicians who thrive on competitive stages around the world.
Annika Nelson, a senior and student leader for the Classical Guitar Organization at UWM, spent her summer training and performing at major festivals. She received a full scholarship to study with the Volterra Guitar Project in Tuscany, Italy, and attended the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina on scholarship.
“During the school year I applied to a couple of different programs for over the summer, and I ended up receiving a full scholarship to go to a festival in Italy called the Volterra Guitar Program,” said Nelson. “Before that I went to the Brevard Music Center for a music camp for orchestra students. There’s an in-depth guitar program with a professor from Austin and I got a partial scholarship to attend for two weeks.”
In addition to her studies, Nelson competed at the Chicago Guitar Festival, placing third in the collegiate division. She also found time to teach guitar, ukulele, and piano in her hometown of Plymouth, Wisconsin.
“I placed third in the collegiate competition and one of our graduate students received second place in the open division,” said Nelson. “An upcoming TA and graduate student had won in his division last year, so he played a full concert. There was a lot of UWM representation this year.”
The graduate student Nelson referenced is Kyle Khembunjong, who placed second in the open division of the Chicago Guitar Festival and returned to Domaine Forget de Charlevoix’s International Guitar Festival for his winner’s performance.
Recent Master of Music graduate Aidan Wiley Lippke also competed at Domaine Forget, earning second prize in this highly selective international competition.
Another standout this summer was Alberto Daniel Quintanilla, a recent Master of Music graduate and current Performance Certificate student. Quintanilla captured First Prize at the Festival Internacional de Guitarra “Villa de Petrer” in Spain, one of the most prestigious international competitions in classical guitar. His achievement places him among the top emerging artists on the global stage.
Alumna Leonela Alejandro (BFA 2020), who recently completed her master’s degree at Columbus State University, continues to remain closely connected to UWM’s guitar program. This summer she opened the Guitar Foundation of America’s 2025 convention in Louisville, adjudicated the youth competition, and taught a technique workshop.
“I got to open the concert this year which was nerve wracking and exciting,” said Alejandro. “I got to play a recital in front of all my guitar heroes and the festival attendees. This was a big part of what I did this summer and a big part of my guitar career.”
Alejandro was also honored as a rising star at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City, where she performed in celebration of her heritage.
“They have a list for honorees who are Puerto Rican or of Puerto Rican descent every year and this year I was one of the honorees,” Alejandro said. “I was one of the rising stars which was a really cool experience.”
From Spain to Italy, Canada to New York, UWM guitarists are carrying their artistry onto the global stage, continuing the tradition of excellence and serving as shining examples of the quality of instruction that defines the Peck School of the Arts guitar program.
Payton Murphy ’27 (BFA Film)