Moreno Valley College’s Laurel Harned, a second-year virtuoso guitarist, won first prize at the Los Angeles American String Teachers Association competition. The victory was her second after winning the Denver Guitar Competition in October.

 

 

 

 

Harned, 18, began playing the guitar nine years ago.  And, since graduating from being homeschooled, Harned has set her sights on a degree in guitar performance. She is currently working to complete her associate degree before transferring to a four-year university to continue her studies. She plans to begin applying to music programs this fall while preparing for college auditions.  

Harned said competing in the Los Angeles ASTA competition was a last-minute decision to enter. She had only 48 hours to prepare. The competition was just her fifth overall. In addition to winning the Denver Guitar Competition, she also made the semifinals in the James Stroud National Classical Guitar competition in 2022 and 2023. She credits much of her success to her mentors. Harned enrolled at Moreno Valley College at about the time she started to compete and travel for guitar on the national level. Prior to enrolling at the College, she had minimal experience performing solo, having only played in a handful of ensemble situations and had only studied with a single teacher.