Spanish guitarist PABLO SÁINZ VILLEGAS quickly established himself as one of the world’s leading classical guitarists by winning the Gold Medal at the first Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition in May 2006. Sáinz Villegas’ prize-winning performance with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has led to concerts in more than 30 countries. These include his four-performance debut with the New York Philharmonic under renowned conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos; the success of these performances resulted in two subsequent engagements with the orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall.

Sáinz Villegas made his debut with the Houston Symphony under conductor Alondra de la Parra, with whom he once again collaborated as a soloist for a Sony recording with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas. In June 2009 he also completed a very successful 12-concert-tour with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Israel under the baton of Frühbeck de Burgos. Among his other orchestral highlights include appearances with internationally acclaimed orchestras in U.K., Spain, Russia, Denmark, France, Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, Austria, and the United States.

Sáinz Villegas’ worldwide recitals earned him return engagements in Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow and Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia. His upcoming recital schedule takes him to Europe, Central America, South America, North America, and Asia.

He was born in Spain, but now lives in New York City. Sáinz Villegas’ combination of charismatic stage presence, deep passion for his music, and stunning technical abilities delivers performances that have consistently brought audiences to their feet. Recently, Sáinz Villegas won Spain’s prestigious “El Ojo Crítico” Award (The Critics Eye). Only one award a year is given in the field of classical music and it is the first time the Spanish award has ever been presented to a guitarist. Prior to winning the Parkening Competition, Sáinz Villegas was already the recipient of more than 30 international awards, including the Andrés Segovia Award. In 2012 he debuted Rounds, the first piece for guitar written by the great American composer John Williams.

Known for his outreach programs, Sáinz Villegas is the founder of “The Music Without Borders Legacy,” a program that seeks to leverage the inspirational power of classical music to bridge communities across cultural, social, and political borders for the benefit of children and youth.

Future and recent engagements include performances with the San Francisco Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Houston Symphony, Orquesta de Valencia, Aarhus Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others.