I first started playing guitar when I was 10 because my mom made me. I hated it and when Covid hit shortly after, I stopped taking classes and stopped for a while. After things started going back to normal, and we could go outside again and do things, I decided to start again, but this time, it was my choice to.
I started classical guitar because I loved how it sounded and find it both fun and relaxing to play. I have been playing classical guitar for almost 3 years now, and I hope to keep it up throughout the rest of high school.
Watch Aiwen Zhang Abels perform Cappricio and Vals Venezolano by Mauro Giuliani & Antonio Lauro on the guitar for the 2026 Spring Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.