“Kyle demonstrates an extraordinary ability to shape music with finesse and intention. His phrasing, dynamic range, and tonal palette are masterful, and he isn’t afraid to take risks, drawing the audience into every note. A truly captivating performer!”

—René Izquierdo, Guitar Professor UW-Miilwaukee

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Kyle Khembunjong is a nationally recognized, award-winning guitarist from Las Vegas, NV. He has been featured as a soloist in prestigious festivals and competitions across North America and Europe, earning accolades from top organizations in the classical guitar world. 

Since making his solo debut at age 15, Kyle has garnered over 35 top prizes in various international competitions, such as First Prizes at the UT Dallas International Guitar Competition, the Chicago Guitar Festival, the UT San Antonio Southwest Guitar Symposium, the Florida State University Guitar Competition, the Schubert Club Bruce P. Carlson, and the Domaine Forget Academy. Kyle has also received top awards from the Paris International Guitar Competition, the M. E. Bruné International Young Artist Guitar Competition, the Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition, and the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition. Kyle has presented solo performances in renowned recital halls around the world, such as the Conservatorio Superior de Música ‘Óscar Esplá’ in Alicante, Spain, the Théâtre Traversière in Paris, France, and at the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix in Saint-Irénée, Québec.

Kyle completed a Bachelor's Degree in Guitar Performance and a Music Technology Minor Certificate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas under the guidance of Colombian guitarist Ricardo Cobo. Kyle then received his Master’s of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Cuban guitar virtuoso René Izquierdo. Kyle is continuing his post-graduate studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam with world-renowned French guitarist Gabriel Bianco.

Kyle teaches as part of the Guitar Faculty at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. He also performs in a voice and guitar duo with his partner Isabel Amor Ferguson (Soprano), as well as arranges and performs in a contemporary fusion band Khembo Collective. In 2022, Kyle commissioned and premiered a new guitar concerto with composer Eric On entitled “Noctuary: Double Concerto for 2 Guitars” with the UNLV student orchestra. Kyle plays on Knobloch Strings.

About

“Immense sensitivity in a concert that blended styles and emotion in every note… full of a wide palette of timbres and colors, all perfectly mastered by this remarkable young guitarist.”—Fundación Alhambra Guitarras

“Kyle has a terrific sense of timing and phrasing. He gets such a wonderful variety of dynamics and sound quality/color. I so appreciate that he wasn’t afraid to play intimately and allow time to breathe... He trusts that the audience is with you.”—Beth Sussman, Pianist

Awards

    • 2026 Chicago Guitar Competition, First Prize

    • 2026 Appalachian State University Open Division GuitarFest Competition, Third Prize & Special George Tomas “Panormo” Romantic Prize

    • 2026 Concerts in America

      International Concert Artist Competition, Semi-Finalist

    • 2026 UT San Antonio Southwest Guitar Symposium Competition, First Prize

    • 2026 The Guitar Studio International Festival and Competition, Semi-Finalist

    • 2025 Paris International Guitar Competition, Third Prize

    • 2025 M. E. Bruné International Young Artist Guitar Competition, Second Prize

    • 2025 Josefina P. Tuason International Guitar Competition, Second Prize & Audience Prize

    • 2025 Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition, Semi-Finalist

    • 2025 Chicago Guitar Competition Open Division, Second Prize

    • 2025 Philadelphia Guitar Competition Adult Division, Second Prize

    • 2025 New Orleans International Guitar Competition, Semi-Finalist

    • 2025 Schubert Club Bruce P. Carlson Guitar III Division, First Prize

    • 2025 UT Dallas International Guitar Competition, First Prize

    • 2025 Indiana International Guitar Competition, Second Prize & Audience Prize

    • 2025 Dutch Guitar Foundation Groningen Guitar Competition, Semi-Finalist

    • 2025 Queens University of Charlotte Guitar Competition, Second Prize

    • 2024 Florida State University Guitar Competition Open Division, First Prize

    • 2024 University of Louisville Guitar Competition Open Division, Second Prize

    • 2024 M. E. Brune Rising Stars Guitar Competition - Young Artist Division, Fourth Prize

    • 2024 Domaine Forget Academy Guitar Competition, First Prize

    • 2024 Dallas Texas International Guitar Competition, Third Prize

    • 2024 Colombus State University Guitar Symposium, Semifinals

    • 2023 Music International Grand Prix Competition Adult Strings, Finalist

    • 2022 International Florida Guitar Foundation International Guitar Competition, Second Prize

    • 2021 Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas Carol Jackson Concerto Competition, Third Prize

    • 2020 Las Vegas Young Artist Orchestra Susan D. Barton Music Competition, First Prize

    • 2020 Dallas Texas International Guitar Competition, Third Prize

    • 2019 University of Denver Guitar Festival & Competition, First Prize

    • 2019 Orange County Guitar Circle International Youth Competition, First Prize

    • 2019 Appalachian State University GuitarFest Youth Competition, First Prize

    • 2019 Rotary Club Dan Stover Music Scholarship Regional Competition, First Prize

    • 2019 UNLV Performing Arts Center Classical Guitar Competition, First Prize

    • 2018 National YoungArts Foundation Merit Winner in Classical Guitar

    • 2018 UNLV Performing Arts Center Classical Guitar Competition, Second Prize

    • 2018 Gateway Arts Foundation Scholarship