Rene Izquierdo is currently a professor of classical Guitar at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. As a concert artist, Rene has performed throughout North America, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Europe as solo recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestra. He has received wide critical acclaim for his performances, and is recognized as one of America's classical guitar virtuosos. Rene has shared the stage with prestigious guitarists Eliot Fisk, Benjamin Verdery and Jorge Morel, renowned flutist Ransom Wilson, soprano Lucy Shelton, Carlo Aonzo, The Quintet of the Americas, David Jolley and recorded with Paquito d' Rivera, among others. Composers such as Jorge Morel and Carlos R. Rivera have dedicated works to him.
A native of Cuba, Rene graduated from the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory and Superior Institute of Art in Havana. In the United States, he earned a Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the Yale University School of Music.
As one of the world's leading classical guitarist Mr. Izquierdo is recipient of numerous awards. He is a winner of the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Competition in 2004, Extremadura International Guitar Competition, and Stotsenberg International Guitar Competition among others.
" Izquierdo is a very self-assured performer who demonstrated amazing technical and expressive command of the music" – Classical Guitar Magazine, Oct. 2007
"… flawless performance." -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 2007.
"…the command and character of his playing lived up to the impressive credentials. His sound carried the guitar-friendly Recital Hall with power to spare. His secure technique eliminated the usual clicks, muffles and buzzes. Speed was no problem for him.
…Izquierdo is a painterly guitarist. He changes angle of attack in the right hand and moves it from bridge to fingerboard to produce a wide spectrum of sonic color. He applies it thoughtfully, to cast particular light on particular melodies…"-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nov 20, 2004.
" Cuban Rene Izquierdo does for the guitar what Stephen Hawking does for physics"…. - The Austin Chronicle. April 9, 2004
"…Izquierdo is already a seasoned performer of great accomplishment. His tone is clear, warm and robust, his musicianship impeccable, and his desire and capability equally great…" -Eliot Fisk, 2003.
"I have rarely seen a musical talent equal to Rene Izquierdo. He is a virtuoso guitarist and a profound musical thinker" -Benjamin Verdery, 2001.
"Rene is without any question one of the finest young guitarist in the country" -Ransom Wilson, 1999.
During a day that saw performances by many well-known professional concert guitarist, Izquierdo's work here provided, in many ways the most exiting playing of the day" -Soundboard Magazine, spring 1998.
"Rene Izquierdo is one of the most promising young guitarist to come from Cuba, not only for his purist approach to technique, but for his artistic gift as an interpreter, giving him a voice of his own at such a young age" -Jesus Ortega, 1994.
