Turkish-American guitarist Celil Refik Kaya has been a celebrated figure in the classical guitar world since making his concert debut at the age of six. Throughout his career, Kaya has garnered numerous accolades and recognition for his exceptional artistry. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest guitarist ever to win First Prize in the 2012 JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition with the Buffalo Philharmonic. He is also a prizewinner of several prestigious international guitar competitions, including those held in Sofia (Bulgaria), Naxos (Greece), Vienna (Austria), Istanbul (Türkiye), and across the United States. His achievements include top awards from the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), the Indiana International Guitar Competition, the Boston Guitar Competition, the Texas International Guitar Competition, the Schadt String Competition, and the Philadelphia Guitar Competition. In 2017, he was honored with the Rising Young Musician of the Year award by the Donizetti Classical Music Awards in Istanbul.

Kaya’s debut recording, Jorge Morel Guitar Music, has been widely praised by critics. The American Record Guide describes his performance as “perfect, revealing the true heart in the pieces without over-embellishing.” His extensive discography also includes works by Carlo Domeniconi, Agustín Barrios Mangoré, Joaquín Rodrigo, as well as his own compositions, recorded for Naxos Records. His contributions to this label have garnered attention for future collaborations.

As an internationally renowned soloist, Kaya has performed extensively across the United States and Europe. He has collaborated with world-class orchestras including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Türkiye, Istanbul State Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, Brevard Festival Orchestra, Lake Placid Sinfonietta, and the Bilkent Symphony. His mastery of the guitar has earned him acclaim on the international stage, and he has led masterclasses at major music festivals and universities in both the U.S. and Europe.

Currently, Dr. Kaya serves as the Coordinator of Guitar Studies at both Kean University Music Conservatory and New Jersey City University.