About the Instructor

"Alexander Milovanov's playing is simply transcendent. He has given phenomenal performances for us in the past, and we can't wait to have his elegant music-making featured on our stage again."

-Austin Classical Guitar

     Dr. Alexander Milovanov is one of his generation's leading classical guitarists who performed numerous solo recitals internationally and in major centers throughout the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore, Austin, and Saint Petersburg, Russia. Alexander has won top prizes in important guitar contests, including the preeminent International Concert Artist Competition of the Guitar Foundation of America and the Boston GuitarFest International Competition. In addition, he received the top prize in the professional category of the Vienna International Music Competition, where he competed with all types of string instruments. Finally, Alexander became the first solo classical guitarist to win the prestigious Beverly Hills National Auditions contest.

     Originally from Belarus, Alexander has earned his Bachelor of Music from the Glinka State College of Music, majoring in guitar performance, orchestral conducting, and music education. After moving to the U.S., Alexander received his Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, studying with Ray Chester, Manuel Barrueco, and Julian Gray. In addition, Alexander studied with the Grammy Award winner Ms. Sharon Isbin at the Aspen Music Festival as a full scholarship recipient. Later, Alexander completed the Artist Diploma program at the Yale University School of Music as a full scholarship and fellowship recipient under the tutelage of Benjamin Verdery. Finally, Alexander earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin under the direction of Adam Holzman.

     Dr. Milovanov has more than 18 years of teaching experience. Dr. Milovanov served on the faculty at the International School of Music in Washington D.C. and later as a graduate teaching fellow at the Yale University School of Music, instructing students at Yale College. Currently, whenever Dr. Milovanov is not touring, he also teaches at the French Conservatory of Music in Beverly Hills, CA, besides the South Bay Guitar Academy he founded.

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Substitute Teacher

     Lilit Mardiyan played solo recitals as well as participated in various music series and festivals throughout the United States, Europe, Russia and Armenia. She performed with Orchestra of State Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, and received top prizes at several international contests such as the American String Teachers' Association, Stafford Classical Guitar Recital Competition (England), International Youth Classical Guitar Competition in Sinaia (Romania), Armenian Allied Arts Association Competition (Armenia).

     Following her graduation from the Yerevan State Conservatory in Armenia, Lilit moved to the U.S. where she continued her education at the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music, under the direction of William Kanengiser and Pepe Romero. Later, Lilit received her Master of Music degree from the Yale University School of Music under the direction of Benjamin Verdery.

     Lilit has more than 10 years of teaching experience. She taught students of different levels and ages in music schools in Armenia, as well as at the USC Thornton School of Music and Yale College. Currently, Lilit teaches guitar at the Royal Academy the Sound of Music in Montebello, CA.