Randall Avers gained recognition in the classical guitar world at the age of 17 by winning the 2nd prize in the 1991 Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Competition. He remains the youngest finalist in history of this giant competition. Three decades later, Avers has been awarded numerous accolades in international competitions and performs regularly in North America and Europe. He has released 3 solo recordings to critical acclaim, and is sought after as a performer, teacher, composer, arranger and juror for international level competitions.
Randall grew up in Ohio and studied music at the University of Akron, North Carolina School of the Arts, Oberlin Conservatory and University of Arizona. He continued his studies in Europe at the Conservatoire de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) where he received a first prizes in guitar (unanimous) and chamber music, as well as the Norwegian Academy of Music (Norges Musikkhøgskole). He is the recipient of the Presser Award, Harriet Hale Wolley Award and was chosen to be an American Artistic Ambassador touring North Africa and the Middle East.
Two projects in 2010 caused him to embark on a new musical path: He was awarded a 2-year artist stipend by the Norwegian Culture Department to study the solo guitar music and improvisational style of Ralph Towner, a legendary ECM jazz artist. The project culminated in the recording “Man in the Moon”. Secondly, he formed the duo “les Frères Méduses” (the Jellyfish Brothers) with French guitarist Benoit Albert purposely veering from the traditional classical concert experience to create live silent film scores, theater spectacles, free improvisation, composition, folk music, among other things. These projects led to numerous new productions.
Avers makes his home in Horten, Norway with his wife and three children. He teaches at the Asker Kulturskole. His books and compositions are published by Productions D’Oz. He produces live-casts, recordings and films from his home studio.