BGFest XVII Programs Continuing Education
The Continuing Education program is designed for guitarists and music lovers age 20 and above.
This program is a low-stress, high-information event in a hybrid format. It brings an international group of participants together with eminent guitar teachers and artists from around the world.
Individual lessons are combined with classes pinpointing and solving technical problems. A variety of topics are explored during the workshops.
BGFest XVII Continuing Education program includes:
- Two private lessons with Continuing Education faculty: Bruce Holzman, Jerome Mouffe, Zaira Meneses, Adam Levin, Scott Borg, Lautaro Mantilla, and Jim Davidson
- Digital and in person access to all events of BGFest XVII including concerts (including recordings of Academy workshops and all masterclasses)
BGFest XVII Continuing Education WORKSHOPS
The Chiaroscuro in Music
Participants in this workshop will explore the chiaroscuro in music: the spectrum from darkness into light on the guitar; subtleties and variety of color, expressive possibilities of articulation and choice of key.
Molina Twins
Classical Guitarists

Molina Twins
Classical Guitarists
Evelyn & Paola Molina are best known as The Molina Twins. They love to perform in duo and to explore their extraordinary skills to synchronize and communicate through music. Their musicality and expressivity have embraced audiences with a beautiful palette of colors and tones, through lively performances of a very selective repertoire of masterpieces, from renaissance to contemporary music, in Guatemala and abroad. The Molina Twins achieved bachelor's degrees in Architecture and Music in their home country Guatemala, and they hold a Master of Music (MM) in Guitar Performance from the New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston, where they studied with the virtuoso guitarist Eliot Fisk. At NEC, while pursuing a Music-in-Education (MIE) Concentration, they shaped guitar techniques and methodologies for teaching. The Molina Twins have experienced that Architecture and Music complement amazingly well for producing creative projects and environments for music performance. The mixture of knowledge has made them creative and innovative professionals, being able to see things from different perspectives, in an artistic and detailed way. The Molina Twins embrace challenges and love to be surrounded by music and artists. In times of social distancing, they have expanded venues to online master classes, workshops and events without borders.
“The Light of Improvisation”
In this workshop, students will explore and develop their own unique musical identities proceeding from practical exercises. Ear training is combined with hands- on work on the instrument to open new pathways for young musicians
Dr. Lautaro Mantilla
Composer / Guitarist

Dr. Lautaro Mantilla
Composer / Guitarist
LAUTARO MANTILLA, DMA is a guitarist, composer, and improviser from Bogota, Colombia. In his performances, he typically combines guitar, extended vocalization techniques, and homebuilt electronics to create music that is both viscerally affecting and conceptually rigorous. Based in Boston, Lautaro is active in the NY and Boston music scenes and is a faculty member of the Contemporary Improvisation department at New England Conservatory.
Lautaro holds a Master's in guitar and improvisation and a Doctorate in Composition both from New England Conservatory in Boston.
Guitar Technique
Have fun while learning essential tricks to improve technique. How to enjoy the entire process from daily practice to performance in any venue.