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

  

Since making his solo debut at age 15, Kyle has garnered over 30 top prizes in various national and international competitions, such as First Prize at the 2025 UT Dallas International Guitar Competition, First Prize in the Schubert Club Bruce P. Carlson Guitar Division, Second Prize at the 2025 Indiana International Guitar Competition, Second Prize at the 2025 Queens University of Charlotte Guitar Competition, First Prize at the 2024 Florida State University Open Division Guitar Competition, First Prize at the 2024 Domaine Forget Academy Guitar Competition, and Second Prize at the 2024 University of Louisville Open Division Guitar Competition, to name a few.

At an early age, Kyle began his advanced guitar studies under the guidance of world-renowned Colombian guitarist Ricardo Cobo at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Alongside his pre-college studies of the guitar, Kyle graduated high school with an Associate of Arts degree from the College of Southern Nevada High School Dual-Enrollment program. Kyle then completed a Bachelor's Degree in Guitar Performance and a Music Technology Minor Certificate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a recipient of the UNLV College of Fine Arts Music Scholarship. Kyle received his Master’s of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with Cuban guitar virtuoso René Izquierdo.

Kyle is proudly endorsed by Knobloch Strings and Tonebase Guitar.

About

    • 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

    • 2024 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

    • 2018 National YoungArts Foundation Merit Winner in Classical Guitar

    • 2018 Gateway Arts Foundation Scholarship

“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

“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, International Pianist - Master Teaching Artist