Gabriel Bianco wins 2008 GFA International Solo Competition
	16 August 2008 The final day of the convention featured concerts by Michael Nicolella, Gyan Riley, and Marcin Dylla, filling in for Xue Fei Yang (whose visa was not approved in time for her to make the trip to San Francisco).
In the 14 and Under Division, the winners were: 1st prize: Saki Kato (Japan; Teacher- Shini Ichi Fukuda) 2nd prize: John-Marcel Williams (USA; Teacher - Stephen Aron) 3rd prize: Vincent Turner (USA; Teacher - Matthew Hinsley) 4th prize: Kevin Sherwin (USA; Teacher- Tali Roth) In the 15-18 Division, the winners were: 1st prize: Molly Manarchy (USA; Teacher - Mark Maxwell) 2nd prize: Tim Callobre (USA; Teacher - Bill Kanengiser) 3rd prize: Vladimir Bashmakov (Russia; Teacher - Leo Konsky) 4th prize: Ryan Voldstad (USA; Teacher - Slobodan Vujisic) And finally, in the International Competition, the winners were: 1st prize: Gabriel Bianco (France) 2nd prize: Pablo Garibay (Mexico) 3rd prize: Otto Tolonen (Finland) 4th prize: Austin Moorhead (USA) Congratulations to all the winners! Next year's convention will take place June 16-21, 2009 in Ithaca, New York. The Board of Directors has selected "Compadre," from Piazzolla's Cinco Piezas, as the required piece for the International Solo Competition. We look forward to welcoming you all to New York next summer! Source: guitarfoundation.org