Born in Toronto, Canada, Alan Kulka, at the age of eleven, became inspired after hearing the distinct sound of an electric guitar on the radio.
Although his studies initially began with the classical guitar and private theory/composition lessons, Alan was accepted into the Regional Arts Program at Cawthra Park Secondary School for the Arts. This unique high school education provided him with an opportunity to continue his classical studies privately, while simultaneously exploring the electric guitar in pop/rock/jazz ensembles and participating in choirs and concert bands.
Alan’s post-secondary studies led him to the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Music, with honors, under the guidance of world-renowned guitarist Dr. Jeffrey McFadden (www.jeffreymcfadden.com). In addition to his private lessons with Dr. McFadden, Alan has performed in masterclasses with notable concert artists including: L.A. Guitar Quartet, Lorenzo Micheli and Matteo Mela of SoloDuo and Paul Galbraith, among others.
Alan Kulka is currently pursuing his Master of Music at Yale, under the guidance of the highly celebrated American guitarist/composer Benjamin Verdery (www.benjaminverdery.com). Aside from his classical studies, Alan is heavily involved in various pop projects as a songwriter, arranger and/or performer.
Alan plays a 2008 cedar top classical guitar made by Canadian luthier Rene Wilhelmy (www.renewilhelmy.com).
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Arash Noori
Arash Noori has gained a reputation as one of the promising guitarists of his generation. He was an international prize winner at Guitare Montreal (2007) and the Mississippi Guitar Competition (2009), in addition to winning first prize at the FCMF National Guitar Competition in 2008. Arash Noori holds a Bachelor of Music with honours from the University of Toronto where he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Jeffrey McFadden. While at the University of Toronto, he was twice awarded the Ken Young Guitar Scholarship as well as the Ann and Eli Kassner scholarship. He also holds an Artist Diploma Certificate from the Schwob School of Music where he was the graduate assistant to Dr. Andrew Zohn. In his last semester at the Schwob School of Music, Arash along with his friends and guitar-colleagues Chad Ibision and Donovan Butez, had the rare privilege of giving the world premier performance of Suite Brasilliera by the world-renowned artist Sergio Assad. Arash will begin his Masters in Music at Yale University in the fall of 2010 on a full scholarship.
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