User:Virginia Luque/sandbox

A native of Algeciras (Cadiz), Spain, Ms. Luque began playing the guitar when she was four, started formal training when she was six, and gave her first concert at the age of seven. After hearing her play, Ms. Luque was invited by the legendary Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia to study privately with him in Madrid until his death.

She received her Master's degree in Spain and at Segovia's suggestion came to America where she also received a Master's degree from the Juilliard School in New York City. Ms. Luque has recently recorded Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. She has been awarded First Prize at several international competitions, including the "Manuel de Falla" Competition for Classical Guitar in Granada, Spain, and has received the Lincoln Center Scholarship among other awards.

Concerto performances have included the '' Aranjuez Concerto "with the New York Virtuosi Orchestra, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Riverside Symphony, the Seoul Symphony Orchestra, the Izmir Symphony Orchestra, Antalya Symphony Orchestra and she has premiered her own concerto with the Alexandria Symphony.

Recitals have included Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, The Metropolitan Opera House, The Frick Collection in New York City, and numerous concert halls throughout the United States. She was also invited by Christopher Parkening to do a special guest recital at the Christopher Parkening International Master Class at Montana State University.

Besides being a classical and flamenco guitarist, Ms. Luque has founded a Symphony Orchestra named New York Women's Ensemble from which she is the Music Director and Conductor.

She has also founded Music for Life NYC, a non-profit organization dedicated to humanitarian relief and cultural outreach through the musical arts. Music for Life NYC believes in the strength of philanthropic organizations joining forces and, therefore, collaborates with other established charities to effectively raise awareness and charitable contributions for their respective missions through music.

Ms. Luque's other pursuits have garnered her a First Prize in the International Competition of Poetry based in Puerto Rico and she has also graduated as "Chef" from the French Culinary Institute of New York.