Zaira Meneses
Biography Zaira Meneses
Zaira Meneses
is among the most exciting performers on the international classical guitar circuit. Her musicality and charisma have delighted audiences on 3 continents in a wide variety of programs ranging from solo recitals to chamber music to highly acclaimed performances as soloist with orchestra.
Zaira Meneses was born in Xalapa, Mexico. From an early age she showed great talent for music, studying both classical guitar and voice and appearing frequently in a wide variety of venues both as guitarist and singer. She traveled widely, performing as well with the famed Orquesta de Guitarras founded by Maestro Alfonso Moreno. At the age of 17 and as the youngest contestant, she won first prize in an important national concerto competition in the legendary guitar mecca of Paracho. This success led to performances of Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and Concierto Madrigal for two guitars throughout Mexico.
Since moving to the USA in 2001, Meneses has built a stellar reputation for her warm sound, limpid technique and superb natural musicality performing in many of the great concert halls of the world including Boston's Jordan Hall, New York City's YMHA and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and Salzburg's Wiener Saal.
Zaira Meneses is Director of Community Outreach and Student Affairs for the international festival Boston Guitar Fest and Artistic Director of the new cross disciplinary cultural initiative “Guitar and Friends” for which she was awarded a special grant by the Albert Augustine Foundation.
Ms. Meneses is currently faculty at NEC Continue Education, Preparatory and a special seminar in performance and entrepreneurial techniques at the New England Conservatory.
She continues to enliven the cultural life of the city of Boston through outreach activities in schools, churches, museums and hospitals while maintaining a demanding touring schedule in the Americas and Europe
