Columbus State Guitar Symposium 2026 Welcomes Back Alumni Performers

Annual event features accomplished graduates Leonela Alejandro and Dragoș Ilie alongside international guest artists.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Columbus State University's annual Guitar Symposium, now in its 27th year, will welcome back two accomplished alumni, Leonela Alejandro and Dragoș Ilie, to perform alongside international guest artists. The two-day festival offers concerts, masterclasses, lectures, and a competition for musicians of all levels.

Why it matters

The symposium has grown into a significant event, attracting guitarists and audiences from around the world. It showcases the Schwob School of Music's global reputation and the quality of training provided to aspiring musicians.

The details

The symposium will feature performances by Alejandro, a 25-year-old Puerto Rican master's graduate, Ilie, a 29-year-old Romanian Woodruff Scholar, as well as The Kossler Duo and Latin Grammy winner David Russell. The event will highlight the guitar's flexibility and expressiveness through concerts, masterclasses, and a competition.

  • The symposium will be held on February 28 and March 1, 2026.
  • Alejandro graduated from Columbus State in 2023.
  • Ilie graduated from Columbus State in 2019.

The players

Leonela Alejandro

A 25-year-old native of Puerto Rico who earned a master of music degree at Columbus State in 2023 and has since gained international recognition for her expressive playing.

Dragoș Ilie

A 29-year-old from Romania who was a Woodruff Scholar and earned a bachelor of music degree from Columbus State in 2019.

The Kossler Duo

Brothers Adam and John Kossler, known for their polished ensemble playing and creative transcriptions.

David Russell

A Latin Grammy Award-winning guitarist celebrated for his warm tone and deep musical insight.

Dr. Andrew Zohn

The symposium's artistic director and the Schwob School of Music's Jo & George Jeter Distinguished Chair in Guitar.

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What they’re saying

“At its core, the symposium is about connection.”

— Dr. Andrew Zohn, Artistic Director, Columbus State Guitar Symposium (newsy-today.com)

“Leonela and Dragoș highlight the global reputation of studying at Columbus State's Schwob School of Music...Their achievements present the strong training and experience they gain here in Columbus before taking their talents worldwide.”

— Dr. Andrew Zohn, Artistic Director, Columbus State Guitar Symposium (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The symposium's competition, arranged by experience level, will provide learning opportunities for musicians of all ages and skill levels.

The takeaway

The return of Alejandro and Ilie to the Columbus State Guitar Symposium underscores the Schwob School of Music's growing international reputation and demonstrates the quality of training provided to aspiring musicians who go on to achieve global recognition.