to the eleventh edition of Miami International GuitART Festival (MIGF) at the Florida International University Wertheim School of Music. It is my honor and privilege to serve as the Artistic Director of MIGF. Since the inaugural edition of the MIGF in 2016, the festival continues to present successful programs to more and more audiences, local, nationwide, and international. Thanks to our sponsors, including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs, Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and many other individual and corporate sponsors, we are able to continue supporting artists.
The 2026 festival events include ten concerts, five masterclass/workshops, six lectures, and a luthiers expo.
Featured festival artists include Rene Izquierdo (Cuba/U.S.A.), Celil Refik Kaya (Turkey/U.S.A.), Luis Zea (Venezuela/U.S.A.), Deepak Ram (South Africa/USA), Maurizio Mastrini and Sandro Lazzeri (Italy), Freddie Bryant (U.S.A.), Liamna Pestana (Cuba), Hande Cangökçe (Turkey), Emiliano Leonardi (Italy), Ielyzaveta Pluzhko (Ukraine), Sinan Çayır (Turkey/U.S.A.), Federico Bonacossa (Italy/U.S.A.), Amanda Kaya (U.S.A.), and Mesut Ozgen (Turkey/U.S.A.).
Lectures will be presented on a variety of topics by Federico Bonacossa, Luis Zea, Amanda Kaya, Deepak Ram, Liamna Pestana, and Mesut Ozgen. Masterclass/Workshops will be conducted by Rene Izquierdo, Celil Refik Kaya, Luis Zea, Freddie Bryant, and Mastrini & Lazzeri. The Luthiers Expo will be presenting wonderful guitars of talented luthiers both virtually and in-person. Luthier registrations with video submissions continue until February 1, 2026.
The MIGF has been a successful annual festival thanks to all guest artists, our generous sponsors at all levels, tireless student volunteers, and audiences. Without you, it wouldn’t have been possible for us to accomplish this tremendous task of organizing a major international festival and making it a successful contribution to the lives of South Florida residents and in general to the music and guitar world. Thank you so much for sharing our excitement and joy of being part of this great festival. You can view the photos and videos from the festival events here on the media pages, as well as the festival facebook page and youtube channel.
I look forward to seeing you in February 2026, as we celebrate the music, our beloved instrument, and the Art in general.
Sincerely,
Mesut Özgen
Artistic Director and Founder
MESSAGES
Brian Schriner
Dean, FIU College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts
I couldn't be more proud of Dr. Mesut Ozgen and the FIU School of Music for hosting the MIFG. I encourage you to participate in this wonderful celebration of culture and artistic talent!
Joel Galand
Interim Director, FIU Wertheim School of Music
My most heartfelt congratulations for Dr. Mesut Özgen on this, the eleventh anniversary of the Miami International GuitART Festival. Over the past decade, this festival has become one of the highlights of FIU's concert season. I look forward to seeing many of you this February for an exciting array of festival events. Thank you for your support.
Fredrick Kaufman
Composer, Founding Director of FIU School of Music
I was simply amazed by the magnitude, professionalism and quality of every detail of the inspiring Miami International GuitART Festival...Bravo!
Equal Opportunity/Access Employer and Institution
Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to CRCA at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.
