Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • FALL 2015 • PAN PIPES 5 SISTERS ABROAD F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z My name is Kathy Acosta Zavala, and I am a proud member of the Alpha Beta Chapter at the University of Arizona. is past summer I had the most incredible musical experience, which was made possible thanks to the Summer Music Scholarship that our beloved sisterhood awards every year. I am a classical guitar player starting my graduate degree this year at the University of Arizona, and this summer I attended MusicAlp, a summer program that takes place during the end of July and beginning of August in Tignes, France. e journey to Europe was in itself an unimaginable moment, but getting to study with one of the most renowned teachers and performers in the classical guitar world was an unforgettable and life-changing experience. I had daily lessons with Judicaël Perroy, a charismatic, strict, and patient teacher. We worked on my new competition repertoire for the upcoming year and on the pieces that I would keep from my old repertoire for preliminary rounds in competitions. During my time in Tignes, I was also able to listen to daily evening concerts featuring the other professors, who were top performers in their own instrumental field. We had several evening lectures - my favorite: J.S. Bach's Dance Suites by Jacqueline Ross. e guitar concentration was one of the most dynamic at MusicAlp. We had a public masterclass and fun excursions with our professor, Judicaël, and the rest of the guitarists. is allowed me to become very good friends with my colleagues, whom I hope to visit soon. e guitar concentration also had an additional end-of-the-session concert, which was well attended and it allowed me to learn a lot from my peers. I was chosen at the end of the camp to perform at the final showcase concert, which took place at the Tignes Space Concert hall. is was such an exiting performance and I was so honored to have been chosen to represent my instrument. e music immersion I experienced during my summer in France has taken my music to the next level, allowing me to play passionately every day. I feel that this experience will be forever treasured in my heart, and I can't thank our sisterhood enough for making this a reality. A classical guitarist born in Lima, Peru, Acosta Zavala has participated in recitals across the world. Aer acceptance to the University of Arizona's Bolton Guitar Program, one of the most renowned guitar studios in the world, she received the Mulcahy Foundation Scholarship and the International Tuition Award. She also received the prestigious Presser Foundation Award, the Medici Scholars Award, and the Honors College 2013- 2014 Research Grant. An initiate of Alpha Beta at the university, she returned to Lima to expand her repertoire by studying folklore music and Peruvian valses arranged for the classical guitar. She earned her Bachelor's from the university and is pursuing her Master's there. She plays a Gnatek 2014 guitar. She performed at the SAI 2015 National Convention in St. Louis in July. My Summer in Tignes Above, Alpha Beta initiate Kathy Acosta Zavala in France this summer. At right, Acosta Zavala during rehearsal at the 2015 SAI National Convention.

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