The Jury

Federica Repini graduated with honors in piano from the Conservatory ‘G. Tartini’ in Trieste under the guidance of Maestro Roberto Repini, achieving the highest marks and distinction. She further refined her skills with Maestro Bertucci in Naples and Maestro Ortis at the Hochschule in Bremen. She is a winner of the “F. Schubert” competition in Moncalieri.

She has performed as a soloist with orchestras and in various chamber music ensembles (through the Juventus Musicale circuit) across Italy. She has recorded for Italian, Slovenian, Croatian, and German radio and television networks. For several years, she worked as an accompanist pianist at the chamber music courses in Follina and Cologne.

Since 2006, she has been a member of the Ensemble Variabile alongside the renowned clarinetist Claudio Mansutti, performing in numerous theaters, concert halls, and festivals in Italy and various European countries, including France, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Norway, and Switzerland. As part of Ensemble Variabile, she was invited to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York for the first time in 2016.

In 2017, she performed in the United States at Jacksonville University, where she also held a master class. That same year, she had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall for the second time, presenting a world premiere by the emerging composer Cristian Carrara.

For many years, she has collaborated artistically with the Luigi Bon Foundation, actively participating in all artistic decisions. She has specialized in training talented musicians and conducting master classes in ensemble music. She primarily focuses on designing and implementing projects aimed at helping young artists integrate into the professional world.

Since 2016, she has been the assistant artistic director of the Luigi Bon Foundation, working alongside Director Claudio Mansutti to curate the musical seasons at the Teatro Bon, Carniarmonie, UdineEstateinCittà, and initiatives related to audience development and the training of emerging young talents. She oversees the educational program of Il Cantiere dell’Arte, an ensemble of emerging young talents that performs in Italy and abroad at theaters and festivals.

Since 2022, she has served as co-artistic director of the Luigi Bon Foundation. She has been actively involved in teaching as a piano instructor and in preparing chamber ensembles since 2002.

MUHAMMED YILDIRIR
Born in 1987 in Istanbul, Muhammed Yıldırır started his musical education at the age of 7
with his father Ali Yıldırır, a violinist.
After graduating from Marmara Academy with degrees in “Film Directing” and “Sound
Engineering”, he successfully completed the “Composition” program at Istanbul Technical
University State Conservatory.
Yıldırır achieved the title of “The World’s Fastest Violinist” by playing German violinist
David Garrett’s “Flight Of The Bumblebee” in 37 seconds, which he played in 66 seconds.
For this achievement, he was awarded the “Most Successful Musician of the Year” award by
the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In addition to his international solo and orchestral concerts of jazz music, classical music,
Turkish music, and jugend music;
Hungary-Turkey brotherhood with Hungarian violin virtuoso Roby Lakatos,
He successfully represented our country in Turkey and on international platforms within the
scope of India-Turkey brotherhood concerts with Indian violin virtuoso Dr. Subramaniam.
In the past period, under the title of ‘European Brotherhood’, he performed international
concerts in 11 cities accompanied by the Russian Red Army Choir and Dance Ensemble.
Since 2016, Yıldırır, who has been the General Art Director of Başakşehir Municipality, is the
founder of the Başakşehir Youth Orchestra consisting of 110 young musicians and
successfully conducts it.
Yıldırır plays the violin made by Ferdinand Gagliano in 1779.

Born in Mantua Leonardo Zunica studied at the Verona Conservatory, at
the Hochschule für Musik Vienna. at the Moscow State Conservatory. His
teachers include Renzo Bonizzato, Virginio Pavarana (former pupils of
A.B. Michelangeli), Alfredo Speranza, Kostantin Bogino, Lev Naumov,
Irina Chukowskaya. Guest in national and international festivals as a
soloist and chamber musician, Leonardo Zunica has performed in Italy,
France, Spain, Scotland, Finland, Ukraine, Croatia, Switzerland, Greece,
Russia. Interested in contemporary music he curated the firs
performances of solo and chamber music by Luigi Manfrin, Gabrio
Taglietti, Eero Hämmeeniemi, Evgen Stankovich, Corrado Rojac and
italian young composers. His concert repertorire has included complete
piano four hands works by Debussy (including original trascriptions),
chamber music by Olivier Messiaen (Visions de l’Amen, Quatour pour la
fin du temps, Oiseaux Exotiques and other works), George Crum
(complete Makrokosmos vol I, III,IV) and monographic projects with
music by Mozart, Satie, Szymanowsky, Gershwin, Piazzolla. His activity
includes collaborations with the violinist Oleksandr Semchuk, the

clarinetists Anton Dressler and Gabriele Mirabassi, pianist Maria Ala-
Hannula (Ebony piano duo), the cellist David Cohen, the saxophonist

Federico Mondelci, the musicologist Sandro Cappelletto, and Ivano
Fossati. His collaborations include those with contemporary music
ensembles such as Gruppo Musica Insieme (Cremona), Dedalo Ensemble
(Brescia), Icarus ensemble (Reggio Emilia) and, as a soloist, with
orchestras such as the Verona Arena Orchestra, I Virtuosi Italiani, the
National Orchestra of Ukraine. With Paolo Ghidoni and Antonio Mostacci
he is part of the Trio di Mantova. His cd releases include Concerto for
piano, violin and string quartet op. 21 by Ernest Chausson, the Debussy
First book of Préludes including recordingof historical piano trascription
of “Prélude a l’après-midi d’une” faune by Leonard Borwick. Leonardo
Zunica is artistic director of Eterotopie, a concert season project devoted
to new music and new ways of esploring concert experiences. He’s
teaching piano in italian conservatories.

Claudio Mansutti graduated in clarinet with full marks from the conservatoire “J.
Tomadini” in Udine under Maestro A. Pecile, and later studied with Maestros P.
Borali (RAI of Milan).
He has won 5 chamber music competitions of national and international level,
and recorded for RAI and ORF. He has founded the Diapason Ensemble and the
Accademia Ars Musicae Orchestra of Klagenfurt, where he was first clarinet, and
reached the national finals for the European Youth Orchestra.
He performed as a soloist with: Berliner Symphoniker, (Berliner Philarhmonie),
Mannheim Orchestra (Tonhalle Zurich), Accademia Ars Musicae Orchestra,
Zagreb Radio and Television Orchestra, Orchestra UECO in Sala Verdi (Milan),
Diapason Chamber Orchestra, Virtuosi di Praga, Salzburger Solisten, Vienna
Mahler Orchestra, Dolomiti Sinfonia, Budapest Chamber Orchestra, Moravian
Philharmonic Orchestra (Smetana Hall Praga), Zlin Philharmonic Orchestra,
Hradec Kralove Philharmonic Orchestra, Radom Chamber Orchestra, FVG
Mitteleuropea Orchestra, Orchestra Regionale Siciliana, Orchestra Sinfonica di
Sanremo, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Qingdao Symphony Orchestra,
Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (Bangkok) .
He has studied orchestra direction with Maestro L. Descev, formerly conductor of
the Sofia Opera, and musical interpretation with Maestro R. Repini. He has
performed in Italy, Austria, former Yugoslavia, Germany, France, Norway,
Belgium, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia collaborating with musicians of
international calibre
He collaborates on a regular basis with the Berliner Philarmoniker String Quintet,
with the Janacek Quartet he has founded Ensemble Variabile (a chamber group
with whom he played regularly throughout Europe). In 2001 he received the
“Moret d’aur” prize for Culture Personality of the Year in Friuli Venezia-Giulia.
Mansutti performed in duo at the prestigious Carnagie Hall in New York.

Originally from Catarroja, she began her musical studies at the L’Artesana Musical Society of
Catarroja, under the guidance of her father, studying violin under the tutelage of Daniel Albir. She
later studied at the Conservatories of Catarroja, José Iturbi in Valencia, and at the Superior
Conservatory Joaquin Rodrigo in Valencia with M.A. Gorrea, E. Palomares, and S. Juan. She also
refined her violin skills with V. Balaguer, A. León Ara, J. Dalhgren, and consistently under th
direction of Félix Ayo.
Her artistic career has always been closely linked to orchestras, having been a member of JONDE,
the Granada City Orchestra, the Oviedo Orchestra, and the Extremadura Orchestra, while also
collaborating with the Madrid Community Orchestra, Bilbao Orchestra, Castilla y León Orchestra,
and Collegium Instrumentale, under the batons of conductors such as J. Mena, J. Pons, A. Ròs
Marbà, Z. Metha, L. Köhler, W. Weller, among others, performing in major European venues.
As a soloist, she has performed the double concerto for violin and oboe by J.S. Bach, Suite No. 3
for Violin and Viola by K. Atterberg, and premiered the work “North Fantasy” by X. Arias, along
with violin and piano recitals.
In the field of chamber music, she formed a duo with guitarist Manuel Mateu, collaborated with th
Valencia String Quartet and Collegium Instrumentale, and is a member of the Dumka Trio.
Since 2003, she has been a member of the Valencia Orchestra.

One of the most outstanding violists of his generation, nationally and internationally recognized as a
first-prize winner in viola, David Fons studied with Vicente Ortiz, Luis Roig, Luis Llacer, Jess
Levine, and Wilfried Strehle.
In orchestras such as OSN, OCV, RTVE, the Royal Opera House, and Collegium Instrumentale, he
has worked with masters like F. Ayo, N. Chumachenco, Y. Menuhin, V. Ashkenazy, Z. Mehta, F. X.
Roth, and N. Luisotti, among others.
He has participated in numerous prominent chamber music festivals across Europe and Latin
America, as a member of Capriccio Trío, Palomares-Fons duo, Trío Acento, Viola Sings Duo, and
as a collaborator with the Beethoven Klavier Quartett, Ensemble de Cadaqués, and V430.
As a versatile soloist, he has performed in auditoriums such as Zaragoza, Vigo, Badajoz, and
Valencia, collaborating with conductors and soloists like Cristóbal Soler, Beatriz Fernández, Jesse
Levine, Vasko Vassilev, and Franco Petrachi, performing pieces from the great viola and orchestra
repertoire by masters like W. Walton, K. Penderecki, W. Williams, and P. Hindemith.
In January 2019, he released his first album “Viola Oppression,” featuring the sonatas by R. Clark
and D. Shostakovich, and in 2022 he participated in a recording for the Naxos label, performing
Eduardo Grau’s Concertino for viola, piano, and string orchestra.
Driven by his passion for promoting viola repertoire, he premiered the Suite by Agustí Borgunyó
for viola and orchestra in Spain, and new compositions have been dedicated to him, such as the
concerto for viola and orchestra written by composer Javier Costa, De soledad sonando…
David performs on a 1954 Giacomo and Leandro Bisiach viola.

Erşahin, one of Turkey’s leading classical guitar players, started his guitar career in 1986 as a
student of Ahmet Kanneci at Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory, and was later
accepted as a performer in Milan Zelenka’s class, after successfully completing the performance
in Prague. He continued his postgraduate education at ITU Music Advanced Research Center
(MIAM) and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, and graduated from MSGSÜ Istanbul State
Conservatory with a Proficiency in Art diploma.
Erşahin, who gave many solo and chamber music concerts in the most important halls of the
world from Asia to America, was also invited by many festivals, gave concerts and masterclasses,
and was included in the jury classes in competitions. He worked with very important conductors
at national and international levels, and played multiple concerts as a soloist with symphony
orchestras in Turkey and with the initiated ones. Sinan Erşahin is an artist who presents the art of
classical guitar not only as playing an instrument but also as an emotional experience. With his
musicality, technical skill and tone, he is considered an inspiring artist for both classical music
lovers and new generation listeners.
The artist’s repertoire includes the most important works of classical guitar, as well as his own
unique arrangements. He has reached a wide audience with both his solo performances and his
work with various ensembles. In addition to his arrangements of traditional Turkish melodies for
guitar, his work titled Shaman Rituel “Cancion y Danza”, which he composed for solo guitar and
was commissioned by the “Roger Shapiro Fund For New Music” based in New York, has been
performed by many guitarists in various halls around the world. In addition, the soloist who will
play the piece called “Grand Rondo”, which he wrote for Guitar and Symphonic Orchestra, was
selected in a competition organized by Bilkent University, and the recording of the performance
made at Bilkent University was published as an album. Sinan Erşahin is known as an artist who
manages to make his listeners experience deep emotions with his music.
The artist, who currently works as a faculty member with the title of Professor as Head of Guitar
Art Department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul State Conservatory, as well as the
artistic director of Grand Pera concert halls, the music director of Fişekhane Main Stage, and the
coordinator of the Istanbul Young Chamber Orchestra, also aims to inspire young musicians. By
organizing various workshops and masterclasses, he contributes to the spread of classical guitar
education and continues to represent Turkish culture with his music on international platforms.

Maria José Seguí Cosme
Born in Valencia in 1968, Maria José began studying music and languages at a young age. In 1994,
she earned a degree in Law from the University of Valencia, followed by a degree in Translation
and Interpretation from the Sorbonne University (ESIT – Paris) in 1999, where she completed her
training with a Master’s in economic, legal, and technical translation and conducted research on
human rights. In 2004, she also completed a Master’s in Aesthetics and Musical Creativity at the
University of Valencia. Since 2002, she has been a sworn translator of French and Spanish for the
Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2015, she obtained her doctorate from the University of Valencia, with
a thesis on opera in Valencia.
She was a professor of Legal Translation and French at the University of Castellón from 1999 to
2005. Since 2003, she has taught Applied Languages for Singing at the “José Iturbi” Municipal
Conservatory in Valencia, and from 2006 to 2022, she worked in the Programming Coordination
department at the Valencia Opera Theater. In 2019, together with the theater’s management, she
founded the Plácido Domingo Training Center, where artists from around the world come to pursue
their lyrical training. Since 2022, she has been managing her own Artist Agency in Spain, dedicated
to supporting young talents in the field of musical performance.

Born in Malaga in 1966, he begins the study of the guitar under the direction of
his father, the guitarist and professor of the Conservatory of Music of Malaga,
Antonio García Azuaga, years later, he continues his studies at the Royal
Conservatory of Music in Madrid, where he is distinguished by unanimity with
the “End of Career Honor Award”.

In 1985, he received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and was awarded
the “I Eduardo Ocón Scholarship” by the Diputación de Málaga, to further his
training in international courses. In 1987 he is appointed Professor of the
Conservatory “Manuel de Falla”, in 1988 he opts for the
Competition-Competition for Professors of Music and Performing Arts obtaining
the number 1 in the aforementioned call. He obtains the research sufficiency at
the University of Malaga by the department of plastic and musical expression
and within the program “Expressive elements in the field of education”,
currently holds the “category of director of educational centers”, awarded by the
Junta de Andalucía, in addition to various distinctions, awards and merits of
other national and international institutions. Recently, he has been
distinguished with the “Alirio Díaz” Master Commendation granted by the
Bolivarian Government.
After being awarded in important national and international competitions, he
began a very intense artistic career, performing in halls and theaters in Spain,
France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, England, Switzerland, Holland, Italy,
Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, (former) Yugoslavia, Turkey, the
United States, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Japan, etc.
He has performed as a soloist in many theaters and halls, the Carnegie Hall in
New York, the National Auditorium in Madrid, the Casa Museo “Andrés
Segovia”, the Guitar Palace in Japan or the Cervantes Theater in Malaga, among
others, and has participated in the International Festival “Andrés Segovia”,
Festival “Cueva de Nerja”, International Guitar Festival “Ciudad de
Vélez-Málaga”, International Music Festival “El Hatillo”, (Venezuela), Andrés
Segovia Guitar Series Miami, (Florida), Sonderho Guitarfestival, (Denmark),
Francisco Tárrega (Holland), “Guitarras del Mundo”, (Argentina), etc. ..
He has performed as soloist in the Berlin Chamber Orchestra, the Simón Bolivar
Orchestra of Caracas, the Chamber Orchestra of the European Union, the
Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lublin Philharmonic Orchestra among
others, being acclaimed for his special interpretation of the “Concierto de
Aranjuez”.
He is co-author of the New Guitar Method (a didactic method used in many
schools) and has participated as a concert performer and actor in the film “El
Maestro”.

He regularly gives Master Classes in Conservatories and Universities in Europe
and the United States, and makes recordings for Radio and Television channels
in several countries, as in Japan, where he has published an edition of his album
Chaconne.

Due to his work and tireless concert activity all over the world, he is considered
by the International Critics as one of the most outstanding and important
guitarists of his generation. Innumerable quotes from the most prestigious
national and international magazines praise his interpretations. Example of the
specialized magazine Sound Board, United States, in which he expresses of his
1993 concert at George Washington University:
“His magnificent interpretation and his warm and attractive sound, full of
richness
and attractive sound, full of richness, made
the hall to break into tireless and untiring applause”.