Press Kit
Biography (ENG – Short)
Hailing from Singapore, Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation, captivating audiences worldwide.
Kevin’s international acclaim has led to multiple invitations from renowned orchestras and international guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta amongst others. He has also performed in some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall.
Kevin has also garnered numerous accolades, including his most recent 2nd prize at the prestigious 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Kevin is also passionate about giving back to society through music education, as well as raising funds for various charities in Singapore and across the region.
Having previously studied at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School and the University of Cambridge in Britain, Kevin is now pursuing his postgraduate degree in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Prof. René Izquierdo.
Kevin is generously supported by Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings.
[170 words]
last edited on 12th February 2024
Biography (ENG – Medium)
Hailing from Singapore, Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation.
Kevin’s international acclaim has led to multiple invitations from renowned orchestras and international guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta amongst others. In 2013, he premièred the Guitar Concerto by Bernard Tan with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and in 2019, he performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo as Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘President’s Young Performer’. He has also performed in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including London’s Wigmore Hall, the Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall.
Kevin has also garnered numerous accolades, including his most recent 2nd prize at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Kevin is also passionate about giving back to society. He actively visits schools to share more about the guitar and music education. He also raises funds in Singapore and in the region for various charities and initiatives such as ChildAid, to provide opportunities for underprivileged children to have exposure to the arts.
Kevin studied with Richard Wright for seven years at the Yehudi Menuhin School in Britain. After finishing two years of mandatory military service in the Singapore Armed Forces, he completed his undergraduate degree in Music at Girton College, University of Cambridge as the College Music Scholar and a scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation. He is now pursuing his postgraduate degree in Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Prof. René Izquierdo as the Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Kevin is generously supported by Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings.
[270 words]
last edited on 14th May 2024
Biography (ENG – Long)
Hailing from Singapore, Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation.
He stands as a distinguished artist, having achieved the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music, alongside the 2018 Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award and the 2010 HSBC Youth Excellence Award for his musical achievements. In 2023, Kevin earned multiple accolades, including 1st prizes at the XXII Concurso Internacional de Guitarra José Tomás Villa de Petrer, the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition, and the Boston GuitarFest. Most notably, he secured 2nd place at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Kevin’s journey commenced with a remarkable turning point when, at just 12 years old, he was talent-scouted by the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School through his YouTube channel. This recognition led to an extraordinary opportunity where he was awarded a grant from The Rolling Stones to pursue his musical studies at the illustrious institution as their first Asian guitarist. This pivotal chapter in Kevin’s musical voyage unfolded over seven transformative years at the Menuhin School, mentored by Richard Wright. During this period, Kevin was privileged to receive guidance from an array of distinguished guitarists and musicians worldwide, including luminaries such as John Williams, Paolo Pegoraro, Tilman Hoppstock, Pavel Steidl, Simone Fontanelli, Stephen Goss, and Jonathan Leathwood amongst others.
In 2019, Kevin fulfilled his two-year military commitments as a Combat Engineer in the Singapore Armed Forces. He subsequently pursued an undergraduate degree in Music at Girton College, University of Cambridge as the College Music Scholar and a scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation. Currently, he is embarking on his postgraduate studies in Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, under the tutelage of world-renowned guitarist, Cuban-born Prof. René Izquierdo.
Kevin’s artistic prowess has resonated across continents, having performed in esteemed venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. His international acclaim as a performing artist led to invitations from renowned guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta, among others, where he has captivated audiences not only through his performances but also through his masterclasses and insights on artistic growth. In recognition of his exceptional talent, Kevin was selected as a EuroStrings artist for the year 2020. As part of this prestigious initiative, he gave numerous online concerts to various European festivals, further extending his reach and impact on a global scale.
Kevin’s versatility as a musician shines through his collaborations with various orchestras, including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his diverse musical repertoire. Notably, he premiered the Guitar Concerto by Singaporean composer Prof. Bernard Tan in 2013. In 2019, he performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo as Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘President’s Young Performer,’ in the presence of former President Halimah Yacob.
In addition to his orchestral achievements, Kevin is also an accomplished chamber musician, having collaborated with many incredible musicians. One notable example is his recording of the complete ‘Histoire du Tango’ by Astor Piazzolla with the prodigious Singaporean violinist Chloe Chua. He has also released ‘I Molinisti,’ an album featuring the complete works for flute and guitar by Francesco Molino, in collaboration with Spanish flautist Roberto Alvarez, Section Flute/Assistant Principal Piccolo of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Besides his exceptional musical talent, Kevin’s appeal emanates from his unwavering passion, boundless optimism, and relentless dedication to enhancing the local arts scene and the broader region. An advocate of giving back, Kevin’s philanthropic journey began at just six years old when he immersed himself in fundraising activities and outreach programs. He remains deeply involved in nurturing young talent, frequently visiting schools to share his love for the guitar and music education. His charitable endeavors extend through his music, raising funds for initiatives like ChildAid, which champions arts exposure for underprivileged children.
Noteworthy milestones punctuate Kevin’s journey, including a groundbreaking solo debut concert at Esplanade Concert Hall in 2010, where he raised SGD$180,000 (USD$150,000) for The Business Times Budding Artist Fund and The Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. In 2016, he joined his peers from the Menuhin School to perform for refugees, migrants, and volunteers in the Calais “Jungle” refugee camp, alongside transporting supplies to aid them.
Kevin is an Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings artist.
[709 words]
last edited on 13th October 2023
传记 (中文)
娄楷文，一名我国非常优秀的年轻古典吉他演奏家，他是当今古典吉他国际舞台上，一颗受瞩目的新星。
他在2010年荣获新加坡汇丰银行颁发的杰出青少年音乐奖，他也是去年2018年吴顺畴百年纪念奖的得主。
娄楷文生长于新加坡，他从小受到父亲的影响，热爱古典吉他音乐，他在年纪很小时已掌握一手惊人的吉他弹奏技巧。2010年、他仅十二岁的时候，受到英国著名梅纽因专业音乐学校的关注，並且获得英国摇滚乐队颁发的助学金，独身赴英国梅纽因音乐学校进修古典吉他，度过七年非常充实的音乐之旅，也为他想在日后成为一名国际演奏家，打下很好的基础。
在梅纽因一流的世界级音乐教育的熏陶下，娄楷文受过无数位世界级音乐大师的启蒙。尤其是当代著名的古典吉他大师John Williams, Paolo Pegoraro, Tilmann Hoppstock, Pavel Steidl, Simone Fontanelli, Stephen Goss 和Jonathan Leathwood ，从而启发了他的音乐潜能。他那逐渐成熟的音乐表达方式，也渐渐地为他树立起自己独特的演奏风格。
在梅纽因吉他教授Richard Wright 的悉心指导下，楷文屡次在欧美获得多个世界著名古典吉他比赛的冠军，如美国古典吉他基金会国际青年吉他大赛和德国安德烈斯·塞戈维亚国际青年吉他大赛，还有2017年在希腊的沃洛斯举行的国际吉他比赛，他为新加坡在国际音乐舞台上增添了一个个美好的烙印。
今天的娄楷文活跃于国内外古典吉他舞台，成为新加坡一名文化艺术大使。他常受邀代表新加坡参加国际大赛和参与各个大型吉他艺术节的演出，与不同大乐团合作。他在2013年就曾与新加坡交响乐团合作，首演本地作曲家Bernard Tan教授的吉他交响曲。
他不但热爱舞台，也极积参与推广本地古典吉他音乐的教育工作，常常到不同的大、中小学分享自己学习音乐的心得，他也热心参与公益活动，如本地的ChildAid慈善活动，希望通过音乐传达美好的信息给更多有需要的青少年。
娄楷文刚于八月初完成两年的兵役，在当兵的那段期间他並没有放弃吉他演奏，他更加努力地爭取各种练习的机会，更被新加坡交响乐团选为今年2019年总统青年演奏家，他将于9月27日在维多利亚音乐厅， 与新加坡交响乐团合作演奏吉他名曲《阿兰胡埃斯协奏典》 。
在来临的10月份，娄楷文将踏上另一段学习旅途，在陆淑佳基金会的支持下，他将远赴英国，展开在剑桥大学的三年音乐学士课程。日后，他希望成为一名音乐家，为新加坡做出更大贡献。
Biografía (español)
Originario de Singapur, Kevin Loh es uno de los guitarristas clásicos más destacados de su generación.
Su reconocimiento internacional ha resultado en múltiples invitaciones de orquestas de renombre y festivales internacionales de guitarra como en Londres, Hong Kong y Calcuta, entre otros lugares. En 2013, estrenó el Concierto para Guitarra de Bernard Tan con la Orquesta Sinfónica de Singapur, y en 2019 interpretó el icónico Concierto de Aranjuez de Joaquín Rodrigo como ‘Joven Intérprete del Presidente’ de la Orquesta Sinfónica de Singapur. También se ha presentado en algunas de las salas de conciertos más prestigiosas del mundo, incluyendo el Wigmore Hall de Londres, el Konzerthaus de Berlín y el Suntory Hall de Tokio.
Ha sido galardonado con numerosos premios, incluyendo el segundo lugar en el Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition en 2023, considerado por muchos como el concurso de guitarra clásica más prestigioso del mundo.
Como parte de su quehacer musical, a Kevin le apasiona retribuir a la sociedad, visitando activamente escuelas para compartir más sobre la guitarra y la educación musical. También recauda fondos en Singapur y en la región para varias organizaciones benéficas y altruístas como ChildAid, para brindar oportunidades a niños que no pueden tener acceso a educación artística y musical.
Realizó sus estudios con Richard Wright durante siete años en la Yehudi Menuhin School en Gran Bretaña. Después de cumplir dos años de servicio militar obligatorio en las Fuerzas Armadas de Singapur, completó su licenciatura en Música en el Girton College, por la Universidad de Cambridge, como becario musical del College y becario de la Fundación Loke Cheng-Kim. Actualmente se encuentra cursando su posgrado en Interpretación de Guitarra Clásica en la Universidad de Wisconsin-Milwaukee con el renombrado profesor René Izquierdo, desempeñandose como asistente en su cátedra.
Kevin cuenta con el generoso patrocinio de Altamira Guitars y Augustine Strings.
[305 palabras]
editado por Alvaro Aguirre, Alberto Quintanilla y René Izquierdo
última edición el 1 de mayo de 2024