Kang Min Shin

2015 Instrumental Scholarship Recipient

Kang's primary motivation for attending the Aspen Music Festival is the presence of his mentor, Sharon Isbin. As a renowned classical guitar teacher at Juilliard School, she has had a significant impact on Kang's musical development. Although initially intimidated by her, Kang found inspiration in her teachings and strived to improve under her guidance. The limited opportunities to work with her led Kang to apply for the Aspen Music Festival, where he hopes to study more intensively with her over the course of four weeks. With an expanded time frame, Kang aims to absorb more of Isbin's vast knowledge, explore additional repertoire, and enhance his musical abilities.

Apart from working with Sharon Isbin, Kang sees the Aspen Music Festival as an opportunity for performances and collaborations in chamber music. The festival attracts a diverse range of musicians, offering Kang the chance to experiment with various chamber music pieces for the guitar. Engaging in these collaborations will not only aid Kang in making music with his current chamber music partner but also provide valuable insights through interactions with other musicians.

Additionally, Kang's interest in the festival is further fueled by the presence of Oscar Ghiglia, a guest artist in the Guitar Program. Ghiglia, a former teacher of Sharon Isbin and a distinguished figure in the world of classical guitar, captivates Kang with his high-level musical performances. Kang yearns to learn from Ghiglia, as he experienced the profound and inspiring impact of one of Ghiglia's masterclasses in New York. Recognizing the rarity of such an opportunity, Kang considers the Aspen Music Festival as his best chance to study under Ghiglia's guidance.