Jozef Zsapka

Prof. Jozef Zsapka is a distinguished Slovak classical guitarist and educator, holding the position of Professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU). He specializes in the Department of String, Wind and Percussion Instruments within the Faculty of Music and Dance. His multifaceted career spans performance, pedagogy, and music administration, with a focus on advancing classical guitar in Slovakia and internationally.

Notable achievements include founding the International Guitar Festival (1975) and the Joseph Kaspar Mertz International Guitar Competition (1995), as well as the LiGiTa festival in Liechtenstein. He has performed globally with leading ensembles and orchestras, including the Brno Chamber Orchestra and Izmir Symphony Orchestra, and collaborates with artists like flutist Dagmar Zsapková in their critically acclaimed duo. Zsapka has released over 40 recordings through labels such as NAXOS and ALBANY RECORDS, and his editorial work includes transcriptions of major flute works.

As an educator, he established the Slovak guitar school, training over 100 award-winning students. He conducts master classes worldwide and serves on international competition juries. His contributions to pedagogical literature and guitar transcription have earned global recognition.