International Festival: Groove to Spanish classical guitar with Gábor Szarvas and Guitar House of Madison
Eliana Wasserman
After eight years of playing classical guitar at Overture Center’s International Festival, Gábor Szarvas continues to bring the rhythmic flair of Spanish classical guitar to an eclectic mix of musical offerings.
All ages educator
Szarvas is the founder of Guitar House of Madison, one of the many musical groups performing at International Festival on Saturday, March 8.
Originally from Hungary, Szarvas was classically trained in guitar and its mainly Spanish repertoire. Upon moving to Madison in 2012, Szarvas opened his classical guitar school Guitar House of Madison with the intention of making music a part of people's everyday lives. He chose the name of his school very intentionally, with "house" as a symbol for belonging and upholding culture.
Teaching students as young as four years old to as old as 85, Szarvas wants people to know that musical education is truly for all ages.
“It's never too late to start playing music,” Szarvas says. “Once you start learning an instrument, you should never stop playing it!”
Playing at International Festival
For International Festival, Szarvas assembles a musical group representing Guitar House of Maidson. He plays alongside his students, whose playing he considers to be at a semi-professional level. One of the group members is a college student who had started lessons with Szarvas as a child and is flying in from out of state just to perform with the group. As an educator, this festival is an excellent opportunity for his students to showcase their skills and perform for a wide audience.
Watch Gábor Szarvas perform Gallardo del Rey's Simple Suite
Cultural Representation
With nearly 30 performances representing more than 20 cultures, attendees have an opportunity to connect with their own culture that they see represented and also to experience and learn more about different cultures.
Szarvas continues, “International Festival creates an incredible opportunity for this type of exchange. Human beings are so much more than we think. We have so much in common and still so much richness to share.”
Tradition and Impact
Szarvas enjoys bringing classical music to International Festival audiences and witnessing the quality and variety displayed each year. He explains, “The performances at International Festival are not just people putting on a costume and learning a quick song; rather, they showcase work that people dedicate their lives to, upholding their culture and traditions.”
See Szarvas and his group Guitar House of Madison at International Festival 2025 on Saturday, March 8 from 2:45pm - 3:30pm at The Playhouse.
