12th Alhambra International Guitar Competition for Young People CIGAJ
21st and 22nd November 2025
Conservatorio Superior de Música ‘Óscar Esplá’ de Alicante (Spain)
The Alhambra Guitarras Foundation announces this Competition with the aim of encouraging young generations of guitarists in the study of the Spanish guitar, hoping that it will serve as an impulse and stimulus for them to continue to deepen their artistic trajectories. We are proud to present this 12th edition of the CIGA Junior Competition, which is already consolidating itself as one of the most important international guitar competitions for young people and will take place from 21st to 22nd November 2025 in Alicante.
The eliminatory phase will take place online and the deadline for registration is 24 October 2025. You can find all the information below in the rules.
Come and take part!
12th INTERNATIONAL ALHAMBRA JUNIOR GUITAR COMPETITION
(CIGAJ)
November 21–22, 2025
“Óscar Esplá” Higher Conservatory of Music, Alicante (Spain)
1. Competition Rules
Guitarists of any nationality may participate, except for previous First Prize winners in the same category of past editions.
You can download the rules in pdf here
2. Categories:
There are three age-based categories:
- Category A: up to 13 years old
- Category B: up to 17 years old
- Category C: up to 24 years old
3. Competition Rounds:
The competition consists of two rounds: a Preliminary (online) round and a Final (in-person in Alicante).
4. Participants must not exceed the age limit of their category as of October 24, 2025.
5. All pieces must be performed from memory, except in Category A where this is optional.
Repeating pieces between rounds is not allowed. The jury may interrupt performances at its discretion.
6. The Final Round will be open to the public and free to attend. It may be recorded and broadcast by any technical or audiovisual means. Participants waive all rights related to these recordings, as detailed in the authorization forms required during registration.
7. The Final Round will take place on Saturday, November 22, at the “Óscar Esplá” Higher Conservatory of Music, Alicante. The organization will inform each finalist via email or phone10 (after publication of the online round results) with the exact time and location, following alphabetical order.
Updates will be posted on social media (Facebook and Instagram) and the official website:
www.fundacionalhambraguitarras.org
8. The organization reserves the right to change dates, venue, and other aspects of the event as needed.
9. Finalists must show valid identification (passport, ID, or family record book). Failure to appear in the assigned order or providing false documentation will result in disqualification.
10. Participants must submit three copies of each piece they will perform before the Final Round begins.
11. The organization is not liable for any damages or losses suffered or caused by participants during the competition.
12. The jury’s decision is final. Registration implies full acceptance of these rules.
2. Rounds
1. The Preliminary Round will be conducted online.
2. Contestants must submit a video link as per their category’s time requirements. The link must be included in the registration form. For inquiries, contact:
dartistico@fundacionalhambraguitarras.org
3. The video must be original and unpublished, recorded exclusively for the 12th CIGAJ, with no cuts, edits, or sound manipulation. The guitarist must introduce the video by stating:
- Full name
- Date of recording
- Reason for recording (12th Edition of CIGAJ)
- Title(s) of the piece(s)
The video submission deadline is October 24, 2025.11
4. Preliminary Round results and the list/order of finalists will be announced on www.fundacionalhambraguitarras.org in early November.
5. The organization will notify finalists of their final round schedule in time to plan their attendance.
6. The official presentation of CIGAJ will take place on Friday, November 21, at the “Óscar Esplá” Conservatory of Alicante (Spain).
7. The Final Rounds will take place on Saturday, November 22, from 10:00 AM, in order:
Category A – B – C.
8. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 22 at 8:30 PM, after the competition ends. Winners must attend unless a justified excuse is provided. The time may vary slightly depending on the day’s proceedings.
Categories and Repertoire:
- Category A:
Preliminary and Final: Free repertoire, max. 5 minutes each. - Category B:
Preliminary: Free repertoire, max. 7 minutes
Final: Free repertoire, max. 15 minutes - Category C:
Preliminary: Free repertoire, max. 8 minutes
Final: Free repertoire, max. 20 minutes
3. Prizes
Category A
- 1st PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €150 scholarship
- 50% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 200 €
- 2nd PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €100 scholarship
- 35% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 100 €
- 3rd PRIZE:
- Diploma
- 25% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 100 €
Category B
- 1st PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €250 scholarship
- 50% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 200 €
- Study and accommodation scholarship for a masterclass (elementary-intermediate level) at the José Tomás International Guitar Festival - Villa de Petrer 2026
- 2nd PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €150 scholarship
- 35% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 100 €
- 3rd PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €100 scholarship
- 25% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 100 €
Category C
- 1st PRIZE:
- Diploma and recognition as "Alhambra Guitars Artist" for one year
€500 scholarship - Six concerts, including:
- Presentation Concert* at Verona International Guitar Festival (Italy)
- Presentation Concert* sponsored by the Pepe Romero Guitar Festival (Málaga)
- Presentation Concert* sponsored by Fundación Alhambra Guitarras
- Presentation Concert* at the Rust International Guitar Festival (Austria), Musikverein in Vienna
- Presentation Concert* sponsored by the University of Dallas (USA)
- Presentation Concert sponsored by RC Strings - Professional presentation video recording
- 50% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 200 €
- Study and accommodation scholarship for masterclass (advanced level) at the José Tomás International Guitar Festival - Villa de Petrer 2026
*Each concert includes a travel grant of €500.
- Diploma and recognition as "Alhambra Guitars Artist" for one year
- 2nd PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €250 scholarship
- 35% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 100 €
- 3rd PRIZE:
- Diploma
- €150 scholarship
- 25% discount on Alhambra guitar
- Musical materials courtesy of RC Strings worth 100 €
Prizes are subject to Spanish tax laws and applicable personal income tax withholdings.
4. Registration
1. Deadline for registration and video submission: October 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM GMT
2. Registration via the link at: https://alhambraguitarras.com/
3. Participants must complete and sign the Authorization Forms, downloadable from the registration page, and email them to:
dartistico@fundacionalhambraguitarras.org
There are two forms:
- For minors, to be signed by legal guardians
- For adults, to be signed by the participant
Subject line:
AUTHORIZATION FORM + PARTICIPANT'S NAME
4. Registration Fee: €30
Payable to the following bank account:
- Account holder: Fundación Alhambra Guitarras
- IBAN: ES56 0081 5122 1000 0131 4233
- BIC: BSAB ESBB
5. CONTACT INFORMATION
- Email: dartistico@fundacionalhambraguitarras.org
- Website: www.fundacionalhambraguitarras.org
- Phone: +34 610 43 77 06
- Organized by: Fundación Alhambra Guitarras
6. DATA PROTECTION14
In accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR 2016/679) and Spanish Law 3/2018 on
Personal Data Protection and Digital Rights:
- Data Controller: Fundación Alhambra Guitarras
- CIF: G10686103
- Address: C/ Duquesa de Almodóvar, 17, 03830 Muro de Alcoy, Alicante, Spain
- Data Collected: name, surname, address, email, date of birth, phone number
- Purpose: To manage and organize the competition as per these rules
- Legal Basis:
- o Execution of these legal rules
- o Legal obligations (e.g., Spanish Consumer Protection Law)
- o Consent (when required)
- Data Sharing:
- Data may be shared with service providers under Fundación Alhambra Guitarras or Manufacturas Alhambra SL
- No international transfers outside the EU
- Retention: Data will be kept for one year until the next edition or as required by law
- Rights:
- Participants may exercise rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition, limitation, portability, and objection to automated decisions via:
- Email: rgpd_alh@alhambraguitarras.com
- Mail: C/ Duquesa de Almodóvar, 17, 03830 Muro de Alcoy, Alicante
- Proof of identity may be requested. Maximum response time: 30 days (extendable to 2 months if needed)
- Minors:
Under-14s need explicit consent to participate, requested via: rgpd_alh@alhambraguitarras.com - Commercial Use:
Users who provide explicit consent may receive promotional emails from Manufacturas Alhambra.
Consent can be withdrawn anytime. No data will be shared with third parties.
List* of participants of the eliminatory phase of the 12th edition of the CIGAJ
A CATEGORY
- Miguel Andérica Sureda, Spain
- Yago Arnau Canós, Spain
- Axel Bastián Rosales Ascención, Mexico
- Citlali Sophie Bravard Varela, France-Mexico
- João Vítor Camoesas Jorge, Portugal
- Hector Carrasco Puentes, Spain
- Emanuelle Cooper, Canada
- Fiodar Fursevich, Belarus
- Wai Nam Cheung (Aristo), China
- Adrian Leon Ruger, Spain
- Clara Onieva Gálvez, Spain
- Tiago Pinheiro Pereira, Portugal
- Álvaro Sánchez Climente, Spain
- Iskren Todorov, Bulgaria
- Anastasia Tudor, Romania
- Tarek Yahyaoui Marín, Spain
B CATEGORY
- Samuel Albiach del Cerro, Spain
- Magdaléna Bezáková, Slovakia
- Nicole Cóndori García, Bolivia-Chile
- Zacharia Cooper, Canada
- Joan Toni Franch Mas, Spain
- Nicola Gallo, Italy
- Lucía Gil Cisneros, Spain
- Nacho Márquez Alemañy, Spain
- Luis Márquez Hinchado, Spain
- Nicolás Martín Kienzl, Spain
- Víctor Mateos Ponferrada, Spain
- Patrícia Mendes, Portugal
- José Manuel Peralta Vargas, Spain
- César Sánchez Vicent, Spain
C CATEGORY
- Gwenyth Aggeler, USA
- Matvei Anchugin, Russia
- Eneko Aristondo, Spain
- Sebastián Bairon Silva Sifuentes, Peru
- Asier Candial Martínez, Spain
- Daniel Daiu, Italy-Albania
- Michele Festa (Italy)
- Eliot Fretwell, France
- David Heredia Rius, Spain
- Gabriel Hernández Ruiz, Spain
- Matteo Hornig, Germany
- Guillem Louvet de Montella, France
- Eislebe Oriana Ereipa Valbuena, Venezuela
- Francesco Gigliotti, Italy
- Ioanna Kazoglou, Greece
- David Manzanares-Salguero, United States
- Carmen Montañez, Spain
- Giulio Mucci-Kanagawa, Australia
- Enrique Muñoz de la Vega, Spain
- Nicanor Narváez, Venezuela
- Alejandro Nogales Almagro, Spain
- Samo Novak, Slovenia
- Matheus Oliveira, Brasil
- Pedro Parente, Portugal
- João Patrão, Portugal
- Eva Pišek, Slovenia
- Daniel Puig Garrido, Spain
- Andrés Rubio Figuera, Spain
- Eduardo Salmerón Gutiérrez, Mexico
- Lucas Sánchez Pazo, Spain
- Paula Talavera Capilla, Spain
- John Edwin Tangarife, Colombia
- Gabriel Tiziano Ostuni, Italy
- Óscar Toribio Abalde, Spain
- Alberto Torres Soto, Mexico
- David Tudor, Romania
- Gheorghe Valentin, Romania
* If there is an error in the name or nationality, or if an entry does not appear on this list, please write as soon as possible explaining the problem to:
dartistico@fundacionalhambraguitarras.org
Publication Date for the First Finalists
The Finalists who will participate in person in the finals, which will take place on November 22 at the CSM in Alicante, will be announced on November 6-7. The Alhambra Guitars Foundation would like to warmly congratulate all the participants for their determination, study, perseverance, and personal effort.
Jury composed by:
Selective Phase:
- Giovanni Grano (Italia)
- Pepe Payá (España)
- Wolfgang Weigel (Alemania)
Final Phase:
- Joe Ott (Cuba)
- Mª Esther Guzmán (España)
- Pepe Payá (España)
- Paco Seco (España)
- Wolfgang Weigel (Alemania)
List of Finalists of the 12th edition of the CIGAJ
21, 22 de noviembre 2025, Alicante
The Jury congratulates the contestants who have registered and adds that, due to the high number of entries and the excellent standard of this 12th edition, it has been very difficult to make the selection. It therefore encourages all those who have not been able to pass this first test to continue working with the same dedication and enthusiasm as before.
The finalists are invited to the CIGAJ Opening Ceremony, which will take place on Friday 21 November at 6.30 pm at the Oscar Espla Conservatory of Music in Alicante.
You will shortly receive instructions by email on how to participate in the Final on Saturday 22 November.
Good luck!
We want to be your dream!
We share your passion!
CATEGORY A
- Axel Bastián Rosales Ascención, México
- Citlali Sophie Bravard Varela, Francia- México
- Emanuelle Kiridi Cooper, Canadá
- Adrian Leon Ruger, España
- Clara Onieva Gálvez, España
- Tiago Pinheiro Pereira, Portugal
- Iskren Todorov, Bulgaria
CATEGORY B
- Magdaléna Bezáková, Eslovaquia
- Joan Toni Franch Mas, España
- Nicola Gallo, Italia
- Lucía Gil Cisneros, España
- Nacho Márquez Alemañy, España
- Patrícia Mendes, Portugal
CATEGORY C
- Gwenyth Aggeler, USA
- Matteo Hornig, Alemania
- Ioanna Kazoglou, Grecia
- David Manzanares-Salguero, EEUU
- Alejandro Nogales Almagro, España
- Samo Novak, Eslovenia
- João Patrão, Portugal
Winners of the 12th edition of CIGAJ
12TH EDITION OF THE ALHAMBRA JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION
21st to 22nd November 2025
JURY MINUTES
FINAL
The final was held in a public session on 22 November in the Auditorium of the CSM ‘Oscar Esplá’ in Alicante, and after listening to the contestants in the different categories, who participated and performed works in accordance with the rules of the Competition,
The Jury, made up of Mª Esther Guzmán (Spain), Joe Ott (Cuba), Pepe Payá (Spain), Paco Seco (Spain) and Wolfgang Weigel (Germany), after deliberation, decided to award the following prizes:
Category A
- 1st: Axel Bastián Rosales Ascención, (Mexico)
- 2nd: Adrian Leon Ruger, (Spain)
- 3rd: Iskren Todorov, (Bulgaria)
Finalists:
- Citlali Sophie Bravard Varela, (France-Mexico)
- Emanuelle Kiridi Cooper, (Canada)
- Clara Onieva Gálvez, (Spain)
- Tiago Pinheiro Pereira, (Portugal)
Category B
- 1st: Lucía Gil Cisneros, (Spain)
- 2nd: Nicola Gallo, (Italy)
- 3rd: Nacho Márquez Alemañy, (Spain)
Finalists:
- Joan Toni Franch Mas, (Spain)
- Magdaléna Bezáková, (Slovakia)
- Patrícia Mendes, (Portugal)
Category C
- 1st: Gwenyth Aggeler, (USA)
- 2nd: Ioanna Kazoglou, (Greece)
- 3rd: Samo Novak, (Slovenia)
Finalists:
- Matteo Hornig, (Germany)
- João Patrão, (Portugal)
- David Manzanares-Salguero, (USA)
- Alejandro Nogales Almagro, (Spain)
And for the record, the members of the Jury sign these Minutes.
Alicante, 22 November 2025
