Midland College music student Miguel Ardiles awarded first place in guitar festivalFebruary 27, 2018

Midland College (MC) student Miguel Ardiles recently won first place in the Collegiate Division of the West Texas Guitar Festival.  During the contest, Ardiles, a native of Peru, played “El Condor Pasa,” a song that Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel adapted as “If I Could.”

In recognition of this accomplishment, Miguel was given an opportunity to open for world renowned classical guitarist Tavi Jinariu at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center on Saturday evening, February 24.  Later this spring, Ardiles will perform a solo recital at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.

Ardiles is currently a student of Mary Miller, MC adjunct music instructor.  In Peru, he studied guitar with the famous Andean guitarist Raul Garcia Zarate, who is best known for popularizing the Peruvian song “Adiós Pueblo de Ayacucho.”

While guitar is Miguel Ardiles’ favorite instrument, he also plays the piano, tuba, trumpet and saxophone.  He is active in Stonegate Fellowship and plays guitar for the MC Jazz Ensemble.

“Music is appreciated much more in the U.S. that it is in Peru,” said Ardiles.  “That’s why I want to study here.”

Ardiles plans to pursue a degree in music, but he also wants to study business administration in order to manage the day-to-day operations of his music career.