P L E A S E    N O T E:

All fields with an asterisk "*" must be filled out by everyone!!

Application Instructions

IMPORTANT DATES
•REGISTER by June 1, 2026 for Housing + Competition and/or Festival if staying at University of Houston dorm (age 13+).
•PAY HOUSING FEES by June 1, 2026 A deposit of 50% of Housing + Parking fees for UH dorm is due June 1, 2026. The remainder is due June 8, 2026. 
•REGISTER by June 1, 2026 for the Competition and/or Festival if NOT staying at UH dorm
•PAY FEES  by June 1, 2026 for the Competition and/or Festival plus any remaining Housing fees
•COMPETITION VIDEOS DUE June 1, 2026 by Midnight, Central Time

There are 5 sets of fields in the Application: 
    •CONTACT Information (Required fields have an asterisk "*". Everyone must fill out, including competitors) 
    •FESTIVAL Attendee Fields (NO competitors)
    •MASTER CLASS Fields (FESTIVAL/COMPETITOR in-person only)
    •COMPETITOR Fields (Option for Festival in-person attendance)
    •HOUSING Fields

Housing:
Housing at University of Houston main campus – 20 minutes from Festival venue. Affordable housing in 2-bedroom suites for 2 or 4 guests – Perfect for out-of-towners. Close to Hobby Airport. Click here to view Housing page

Applications:
Applications accepted on a first-come/first-served basis (see dates above).
     You may pay by Venmo, PayPal or by check (see instructions below).
 

Tuition Packages:
All Festival Attendees (No Competitors ONLY) receive: 
•Entry to all Classes and Workshops on the Schedule 
•Private Lessons (at the higher tuition fee) 
•FREE Admission to Evening Concerts Friday and Saturday
•Special Concert Rate for Festival Family Members ($10) 
•Reduced Fee to Perform in Master Classes
•FREE Admittance to Master Class audience 
•FREE Lunch by Avalon Diner – Monday, June 10
•FREE Lasagna Dinner and Open-Mic Night - Thursday, June 13
•FREE Festival T-Shirt
 

Competitors Only receive (in-person): 
 •Student Pricing ($5) for Evening Concerts Friday and Saturday 
 •FREE Admittance to Master Class Audience 
 •$30 fee to play in a Master Class (if available after full-festival students sign up)
 •Competition Fees Waived if also enrolled in the full festival

Festival Fees:
 •$450 Festival with private lessons (includes concert tickets) 
 •$300 Festival without private lessons (includes concert tickets) 
 •Attendees who wish to Perform in Master Class (12 slots) – add $15 
 •Member of Master Class Audience – Included in Festival Fee

Scholarships:
Availability is dependent upon donations received and applies only to Festival attendees. Scholarships are NOT applicable to those only competing. If applying for financial assistance for the Festival portion of total fees, inquire @ HCGFestC@gmail.com.

Master Class:
 •Master Classes are in-person only (not virtual).
 •Instruction to players with audience learning by observation.
 •Festival Attendees pay an additional $15 to play in a Master Class.
 •Competitors NOT enrolled in the Full Festival pay an additional $30 to play in a Master Class (Attendees get first access).
 •4 slots available to perform in each class (12 slots total). Slots assigned on a first-come/first-served basis. 
 •To perform, you must be able to play a solo piece all the way through.
 •Berta Rojos:  Friday, June 19, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. 
 •An Tran & Kithara Duo: Saturday, June 20, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. (Choose one)

Private Lessons:
 •Private Lessons are available 10:00 am – 12:00 pm June 11, 12, 13.
 •Must be enrolled in the Festival to receive private lessons. (Competitors can add the festival).
 •Faculty for private lessons: Berta Rojas, An Tran, Olga Amelkina-Vera, Fernand Vera, Jay Kacherski, Jeremy García, Eddie Healy, Andrea Cannon, Marc Garvin.

Summer Guitar Conservatory Student Package
Those attending the Summer Guitar Conservatory at Bellaire High School June 10-18 are invited to join our activities June 19 and 20:
Master Classes: Audit fee of $10 each morning, June 19 & 20. Must pre-register. Fill out Application and check Master Class Audit Fee for each day. 
Concerts: Student pricing $5. Tickets online or at the door.

COMPETITION:
The Competition is Virtual for All Divisions. 
Competition Rules Click here.
NOTE: Competition fees are waived if attending the Festival in person.

Artist Division - $100 

College Division I - $50

College Division II - $40

High School Division - $35

Middle School Division - $30 

ALL Competitors who attend Festival:
 •Festival with Private Lessons $450, (Competition fee waived)  Total: $450 
 •Festival without Private Lessons- $300, (Competition fee waived)  Total: $300

PAYMENT:
Please pay at least a $50 deposit (up to the full amount) with application.
Pay 50% of Housing + Parking by June 1, 2026 if staying at UH dorm.
Pay all fees for Competition and/or Festival plus any remaining Housing fees by June 8, 2026.


Pay Options (READ email addresses CAREFULLY!!):
     PayPal:  HCGFestC@gmail.com 
     Venmo:  gcguitarassoc [Gulf Coast Guitar Association]
     Check: Make checks payable to “Gulf Coast Guitar Association”: 
       Mail to:
         Gulf Coast Guitar Association 
         PO Box 980492 
         Houston, TX 77098-0492

QUERIES? Contact:
Jay Kacherski, Artistic Director: by email: HCGFestC@gmail.com
Nadene Crain, President: 713-305-2336 or by email nacrain@gcguitar.org