Gillian Omalyev (USA) and Vinicius Jacomin (Brazil) met in 2016 while they were both attending the Hochschule für Musik Detmold. Recognizing eachothers respect and love for the art music from their respective countries they founded the Americas Guitar Duo, a duo devoted to exploring and exposing the multifaceted and rich art music culture of the Americas.
Since their start they have won Prizes at the Gevelsberg Youth Competition for Guitar Ensembles (2016), gone on multiple tours through Germany and Europe, played at reknowned festivals and institutions such as the Iserlohn International Guitar Symposium, Gitarrenmusik Torhaus Dortmund, at the WDR3 Open Auditions, and for the Landestheater Detmold among others.
Vinicius Jacomin
Vinicius Jacomin recently graduated in 2018 with a Masters in Chamber Music from the HfM Detmold. After showing his metal winning second prize at the Guitar Competition in Souza Lima (Brasil) and at the Jugendwettbewerb für Gitarrenensembles in Gevelsberg, Vinícius has enjoyed an increasing performing and teaching presence in Germany. From the State Opera Hagen and the Landestheater Detmold to the International Guitar Symposium in Iserlohn and the WDR 3 Open Auditions in Cologne, Vinícius approaches all of his work with, “ loving attention to detail and musical dedication.” Vinícius has participated in a variety of different ensembles from guitar duos and guitar trios to guitar with live eletronics.
During his time in Germany, Vinícius has had a close working relationship with composers such as Jaime Zenamon, Martin Christoph Redel, Phillip Lojak and Örjan Sandred. The artists have taught in Germany for many years as well as abroad in Brazil and the USA.
Gillian Omalyev
Gillian Omalyev is an American guitarist living and working in Dortmund, Germany. After her studies in the US at the North Carolina School of the Arts (Joe Pecoraro) and the Manahttan School of Music (David Leisner), she made the jump accross the pond to work towards a Masters with Dale Kavanagh. She's worked with international artists such as Vinicius Jacomin, Carine Tinney, Sebastian Kausch, Earquake Ensemble and many others. As part of the prize winning ensemble Americas Guitar Duo she has performed on WDR3, with the Landestheater Detmold and through out Europe touring with this amazing Duo. Recent projects include a CD of music from the American Continents with her partner Vinicius Jacomin, competitions with recorder player Sebastian Kausch, a Lied Program with the multi-talented Sebastian Kausch.
Gillian's mentors and teachers include Goran Krivokapic, David Leisner, Dale Kavanagh.