Critical acclaim:

“…he approaches his instrument the way a priest might approach his alter…” –John Darling, Medford’s Mail Tribune

“…he plays like a veteran twice his age.” –Joe Camarlinghi, NBC-5

“…a passionate performer, full of emotion and color.” –Christy Dolan, Friends of Music Scholarship Competition Chair

Tye Austin (www.tyeaustin.com), born September 25, 1989, is a rising young guitarist and composer from the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. Tye recently made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 23 as first prizewinner of the American Protégé International Piano & Strings Competition, 2013 for his solo performance and transcription of Enrique Granados’ Spanish Dance No. 5. Other first prizes and student scholarships include the Oregon Friends of Music Regional Scholarship Competition 2012 and the Southern Oregon Arts and Research Symposium 2009. Tye made his solo debut at the Britt Festivals-Classical Series 2011 in Jacksonville, Oregon as opening act for Sharon Isbin, multiple Grammy Award winning guitarist and chair of guitar studies at the Juilliard School. Other solo performances include venues such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival-Greenshow, the Jefferson Classical Guitar Society, and the Southern Oregon University Music Recital Hall. Receiving a total of three commissions, he is also a guest liturgical composer for Grace Lutheran Church in Ashland, Oregon. In the autumn of 2008, Tye began his guitar studies at age 18 as a music performance major at SOU. He is currently a guitar student and Teacher Assistant of James Edwards, head of SOU guitar department. Tye will complete his BA degree magna cum laude in guitar performance this June 2013. He is currently auditioning for master programs at the Manhattan School of Music, London’s Royal Academy of Music, and NYC’s Juilliard School. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain-hiking, riding his bicycle and practicing yoga/meditation.

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