Uploaded May 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
We had the great pleasure to speak to Bokyung Byun, a rising star in the guitar world. Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine as “confident and quite extraordinary,” Byun enjoys a reputation as one of the most sought-after guitarists of her generation. She is the first female winner of the prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition and the grand prize winner of the 2021 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition – the first female guitarist to win the award in 20 years.
Born in Seoul, Korea, Byun began playing guitar at the age of six. At eleven, she took the stage for her first solo recital, leading to an early start in her teen years performing numerous concert tours around Korea. By her teen years, she had gained national attention for first-prize finishes in three renowned competitions: the Korea Guitar Association, the Music Association of Korea, and the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition.
Byun soon moved to the United States, where she briefly studied in Los Angeles before moving to New York City, where she entered The Juilliard School at the age of sixteen. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California. Byun is currently on the guitar faculty of California State University Fullerton.
Song- performed at the end of the video:
Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tárrega
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ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH - May 2022
Paying tribute to the local Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in a celebration of history and culture and in recognition of the communities’ struggle for inclusion and equity.
eglendalelac.org/aapi
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We have now reopened all of our branches for limited in-person services!
We're excited to offer physical collections, study/work spaces, and technology in a manner that is convenient, safe, and in compliance with State and County public health guidelines.
Visit In-Person Services page (eglendalelac.org/in-person-services) for hours of operation and additional information. We hope to see you soon!
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About Contactless Pickup: eglendalelac.org/contactless-pickup
--
Be The Change Series
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism
eglendalelac.org/bethechange
--
To learn more about Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and to visit our virtual library, go to: eGlendaleLAC.org
Follow us on Social Media: @myGlendaleLAC
Instagram: instagram.com/myglendaleLAC
Facebook: facebook.com/myglendaleLAC
Twitter: twitter.com/myglendaleLAC
To speak to a Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Librarian, give us a call at 818-548-2021 or send us an email to LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov
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This is a reupload of a video published on 5/16 at 6:30pm to add a special finale and improved audio.
We had the great pleasure to speak to Bokyung Byun, a rising star in the guitar world. Praised by Classical Guitar Magazine as “confident and quite extraordinary,” Byun enjoys a reputation as one of the most sought-after guitarists of her generation. She is the first female winner of the prestigious JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition and the grand prize winner of the 2021 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition – the first female guitarist to win the award in 20 years.
Born in Seoul, Korea, Byun began playing guitar at the age of six. At eleven, she took the stage for her first solo recital, leading to an early start in her teen years performing numerous concert tours around Korea. By her teen years, she had gained national attention for first-prize finishes in three renowned competitions: the Korea Guitar Association, the Music Association of Korea, and the Guitar Foundation of America International Youth Competition.
Byun soon moved to the United States, where she briefly studied in Los Angeles before moving to New York City, where she entered The Juilliard School at the age of sixteen. She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California. Byun is currently on the guitar faculty of California State University Fullerton.
Song- performed at the end of the video:
Recuerdos de la Alhambra by Francisco Tárrega
--
ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH - May 2022
Paying tribute to the local Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in a celebration of history and culture and in recognition of the communities’ struggle for inclusion and equity.
eglendalelac.org/aapi
--
We have now reopened all of our branches for limited in-person services!
We're excited to offer physical collections, study/work spaces, and technology in a manner that is convenient, safe, and in compliance with State and County public health guidelines.
Visit In-Person Services page (eglendalelac.org/in-person-services) for hours of operation and additional information. We hope to see you soon!
--
About Contactless Pickup: eglendalelac.org/contactless-pickup
--
Be The Change Series
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism
eglendalelac.org/bethechange
--
To learn more about Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and to visit our virtual library, go to: eGlendaleLAC.org
Follow us on Social Media: @myGlendaleLAC
Instagram: instagram.com/myglendaleLAC
Facebook: facebook.com/myglendaleLAC
Twitter: twitter.com/myglendaleLAC
To speak to a Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Librarian, give us a call at 818-548-2021 or send us an email to LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov
---
This is a reupload of a video published on 5/16 at 6:30pm to add a special finale and improved audio.
