The finals of the GFA International Solo Competition took place on August 10 in San Francisco.  The winners were:

1st prize: Gabriel Bianco (France)Gabriel Bianco, Austin Moorhead, Pablo Garibay, and Otto Tolonen
2nd prize: Pablo Garibay (Mexico)
3rd prize: Otto Tolonen (Finland)
4th prize: Austin Moorhead (USA)

In the Youth Solo Competition 15-18 Division, the winners were:

1st prize: Molly Manarchy (USA; Teacher - Mark Maxwell)
2nd prize: Tim Callobre (USA; Teacher - Bill Kanengiser)
3rd prize: Vladimir Bashmakov (Russia; Teacher - Leo Konsky)
4th prize: Ryan Voldstad (USA; Teacher - Slobodan Vujisic)

In the Youth Solo Competition 14 and Under Division, the winners were:

1st prize: Saki Kato (Japan; Teacher- Shini Ichi Fukuda)
2nd prize: John-Marcel Williams (USA; Teacher - Stephen Aron)
3rd prize: Vincent Turner (USA; Teacher - Matthew Hinsley)
4th prize: Kevin Sherwin (USA; Teacher- Tali Roth)

Congratulations to all the winners!  For a summary of the week and photos, visit the Convention Photo Gallery.

Next year's convention will take place June 16-21, 2009 in Ithaca, New York.  The Board of Directors has selected "Compadre," from Piazzolla's Cinco Piezas, as the required piece for the International Solo Competition.  We look forward to welcoming you all to New York next summer!