Guitarist Mak Grgić Kicks off Rising Stars

Westmont launches its new concert series, The Rising Stars, with a performance by 24-year old, world-renown guitarist Mak Grgić Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in Westmont’s Porter Theatre. Grgić, who will perform great masterpieces for solo guitar and guitar and cello, will be joined by Westmont cello instructor John Sant’Ambrogio, former principal cellist of the St. Louis Symphony. A suggested $10 donation helps fund the Westmont Orchestra’s tour to China in May 2012.

Sant’Ambrogio hopes the concert series will inspire young musicians and the Santa Barbara community by introducing them to the incredible talent of the many young musicians he has met during his 46 years with the Boston and St. Louis Symphonies.

Grgić, born in 1987 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, distinguishes himself as a versatile guitarist, playing classical and improvised guitar music in repertoires ranging from baroque to modern and jazz. He earned a bachelor’s degree with Alvaro Pierri at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria. He is studying to earn a master’s degree at the USC Thornton School of Music as a student of William Kanengiser of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.

Grgić took first prize at the Pacific Guitar Festival and Competition 2011, and has been honored with highest prizes at international competitions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Serbia. He performs the music of Nejc Kuharon on a new album, “String Modulations.” He has recorded a music score for the upcoming film “Regrets of White Camellias,” which stars Cybill Shepherd and is directed by Russell Brown.

In spring 2012, the Rising Stars concert series will present cellist Jonah Kim, associate principal cellist of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. The concert series is sponsored by Hotel Santa Barbara. For more information, please contact the Westmont Music Department at (805) 565-6040.