Concert Fundraiser with Artemis Guitar Duo
Saturday December 3, 2022
4:00 pm
ARTEMIS GUITAR DUO
Artemis Guitar Duo combines Latin American rhythmic vibes with Italian lyricism. Classical guitarists Katty Mayorga and Isabella Abbonizio founded the ensemble in 2019. Together, they perform a varied repertoire from the past to the present, with particular attention to new music written by female and emerging composers.
The Fundraiser
Proceeds from this concert support the dojo in its efforts to recover from the pandemic. Pandemic recovery has required a great deal of investment. The dojo received no financial aid from the city, state, or federal government despite closing and operating at reduced capacities. Meanwhile, our operating costs and expenses have greatly increased. By purchasing tickets, you’re supporting the dojo and live classical music in NYC!
The Performers
Isabella Abbonizio is an Italian guitarist and musicologist based in NYC. She holds a Ph.D. in musicology (University of Rome), M.A. with honors in musicology (University of Bologna) and Guitar Diploma (Conservatory of Bologna). A published researcher, she was a visiting scholar at New York University 2012-2019 and has presented her works at prestigious international cultural and academic institutions including New York University and Guitar Foundation of America.
Isabella performs internationally as a soloist and in chamber ensembles. She is a professional music and guitar teacher with more than ten years of experience in public and private schools in Italy and the United States. She is a Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher in Guitar and Music Theory. Her students have been awarded RCM Gold Medals and Awards of Excellence and are annually selected to perform in Carnegie Hall for the Celebration of Excellence Award Recital. Isabella is a USA Teacher Agent for Ramirez Guitars (Madrid, Spain). A guitar advocate, she is co-founder and co-artistic director of Lanciano International Guitar Seminar and co-founder and CEO of DalMaestro.
Katty Mayorga is a Nicaraguan-American guitarist, composer, educator and songwriter based in NYC. Her performances encompass various styles from classical and folkloric music from Latin America to the neo-classical. Katty actively performs in the USA, Latin America, and Europe as a soloist and as part of Artemis Guitar Duo with guitarist Isabella Abbonizio, and with the flute and guitar group JKLM Duo with Jamie Lee.
She has premiered new musicals showcasing minorities and worked with award winning Latin American choreographers on classical, acoustic and electric guitar. Katty has shared the stage with Marvin Hamlisch, Kelli O’Hara, amongst other notable celebrities. Masterclasses and mentorships include: Peter Press, Laura Snowden, Susana Prieto, Dale Kavanagh, Douglas Lora, Paolo Bellinati, João Luiz Rezende. Katty graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY Purchase and holds a Master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance under the tutelage of Frederic Hand.
Music in the Dojo
The concert also brings together Josh Sensei's two great passions: aikido and music. It also continues a tradition of music in the dojo. Many of our adult and youth members are performing musicians, and Josh Sensei's first aikido teacher was Joseph Jarman Sensei, a founding member of the renowned Chicago Art Ensemble.