Hailing from Singapore, Kevin Loh is one of the leading classical guitarists of his generation.
Kevin stands as a distinguished artist, having achieved the esteemed Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music, alongside the 2018 Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award and the 2010 HSBC Youth Excellence Award for his musical achievements. In 2023, Kevin earned multiple accolades, including 1st prizes at the XXII Concurso Internacional de Guitarra José Tomás Villa de Petrer, the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition, and the Boston GuitarFest. Most notably, he secured 2nd place at the 2023 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, arguably the most prestigious classical guitar competition in the world.
Kevin’s journey commenced with a remarkable turning point when, at just 12 years old, he was talent-scouted by the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School through his YouTube channel. This recognition led to an extraordinary opportunity where he was awarded a grant from The Rolling Stones to pursue his musical studies at the illustrious institution as their first Asian guitarist. This pivotal chapter in Kevin’s musical voyage unfolded over seven transformative years at the Menuhin School, mentored by Richard Wright. During this period, Kevin was privileged to receive guidance from an array of distinguished guitarists and musicians worldwide, including luminaries such as John Williams, Paolo Pegoraro, Tilman Hoppstock, Pavel Steidl, Simone Fontanelli, Stephen Goss, and Jonathan Leathwood amongst others.
In 2019, Kevin fulfilled his two-year military commitments as a Combat Engineer in the Singapore Armed Forces. He subsequently pursued an undergraduate degree in Music at Girton College, University of Cambridge as the College Music Scholar and a scholar of the Loke Cheng-Kim Foundation. Currently, he is embarking on his postgraduate studies in Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, under the tutelage of world-renowned guitarist, Cuban-born Prof. René Izquierdo.
Kevin’s artistic prowess has resonated across continents, having performed in esteemed venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. His international acclaim as a performing artist led to invitations from renowned guitar festivals in London, Hong Kong, and Calcutta, among others, where he has captivated audiences not only through his performances but also through his masterclasses and insights on artistic growth. In recognition of his exceptional talent, Kevin was selected as a EuroStrings artist for the year 2020. As part of this prestigious initiative, he gave numerous online concerts to various European festivals, further extending his reach and impact on a global scale.
Kevin’s versatility as a musician shines through his collaborations with various orchestras, including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his diverse musical repertoire. Notably, he premiered the Guitar Concerto by Singaporean composer Prof. Bernard Tan in 2013. In 2019, he performed the iconic Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo as Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘President’s Young Performer,’ in the presence of former President Halimah Yacob.
In addition to his orchestral achievements, Kevin is also an accomplished chamber musician, having collaborated with many incredible musicians. One notable example is his recording of the complete ‘Histoire du Tango’ by Astor Piazzolla with the prodigious Singaporean violinist Chloe Chua. He has also released ‘I Molinisti,’ an album featuring the complete works for flute and guitar by Francesco Molino, in collaboration with Spanish flautist Roberto Alvarez, Section Flute/Assistant Principal Piccolo of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Besides his exceptional musical talent, Kevin’s appeal emanates from his unwavering passion, boundless optimism, and relentless dedication to enhancing the local arts scene and the broader region. An advocate of giving back, Kevin’s philanthropic journey began at just six years old when he immersed himself in fundraising activities and outreach programs. He remains deeply involved in nurturing young talent, frequently visiting schools to share his love for the guitar and music education. His charitable endeavors extend through his music, raising funds for initiatives like ChildAid, which champions arts exposure for underprivileged children.
Noteworthy milestones punctuate Kevin’s journey, including a groundbreaking solo debut concert at Esplanade Concert Hall in 2010, where he raised SGD$180,000 (USD$150,000) for The Business Times Budding Artist Fund and The Straits Times Pocket Money Fund. In 2016, he joined his peers from the Menuhin School to perform for refugees, migrants, and volunteers in the Calais “Jungle” refugee camp, alongside transporting supplies to aid them.
Kevin is an Altamira Guitars and Augustine Strings artist.
last edited on 13th October 2023
Kevin Loh 