Referred to as a child prodigy and garnering over 7 million views on a single YouTube video, Ana Vidovic has already gained notice in the public eye.
Vidovic began playing guitar at 5 years old, and was playing internationally by age 11. Vidovic attended the prestigious Academy of Music in Zagreb in the Republic of Croatia at age 13, becoming the youngest student to attend. She graduated from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore in 2003 and has been living in the United States since that time.
Vidovic also performed Thursday as a guest during the UW Symphony Orchestra’s final performance of the season in the Performing Arts concert hall.
“I think that when the Laramie community sees what a good classical acoustic guitar player can do, they will be impressed,” said Director of Orchestral Activities Michael Griffith .
Janelle Fletcher-Kilmer, director of the UW Cultural Programs, said that Vidovic had become their choice for a number or reasons.
“One was a time frame that worked out for both the UW Symphony Orchestra and Cultural Programs, another being the desire of both parties to bring in a world-class guitar player, and also because she is someone that cultural programs has been watching for a long time as her career grows,” Fletcher-Kilmer said. “She’s been on out ‘short list’ of possibilities and hopeful performance opportunities.”
Fletcher-Kilmer said that Vidovic will bring a program rich in classical guitar traditions and varied textures and sounds.
“She is a part of a broader and balanced series in which all types and genres of music are presented to provide UW and the Laramie community a rich educational and cultural experience,” Fletcher-Kilmer said. “Her program is rich, exciting and beautiful.”
Fletcher-Kilmer said that Vidovic is also known for throwing in some non-traditional covers that are sure to entertain audiences.
The Croatian classical guitarist will be performing Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for Performing Arts.
