By David Pelham
Contributed
Pamela Arellano was invited to perform in Idyllwild last year, but the denial of a visa to the United States forced her to cancel the performance. However, this year she has a visa as does her entire family, and they are all coming to watch her perform.
Arellano is that new breed of classical guitarists who are well-versed in other musical styles, including classical. Pop and jazz influences can be heard in her repertoire and, not surprisingly, her mother and step-father form the core of a band called Artefacto Live.
Her step-father, Edgar Bautista, is also a classical guitarist and one of her professors of music, as well. When I heard her performance in Paracho in 2018, Arellano made an immediate impression. She was musically courageous and very impressive, but certainly not what the competition judges were expecting!
She was not among the finalists as a result. Born in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico, she started her classical guitar studies at the Universidad Autónoma Zacatecas (UAZ) at the age of 14 with teachers Daniel Escoto and Bautista.
Arellano has taken master classes with the following teachers: Mauro Zanatta (Italy), Vladimir Gorbach (Russia), Simone Iannarelli (Italy) and Andrea De Vitis (Italy), among others.
She has participated in several recitals with Students of Excellence of the UAZ Academic Unit of Arts as well as many competitions. In addition, she has been the bassist and electric guitarist of the band Artefacto Live, with whom she has actively participated in the cultural festivals of the city of Zacatecas.
Arellano is currently in her third semester studying for the licensure in music at UAZ with teacher Juan Carlos López González. She will be performing here at Idyllwild Arts Academy’s William M. Lowman Concert Hall at 2 p.m. on Nov. 10 along with Jesus Serrano. Admission is free.
