Gvantsa (Gvaneta) Betaneli is a Georgian classical guitarist born in Tbilisi. She began guitar lessons at age three under her father, Ferdinand Betaneli, gave her first solo concert at five, and became a soloist with the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Georgia at thirteen. She graduated with honors from the Central Music School for Gifted Children at the Tbilisi State Conservatory, and at sixteen became the youngest student at the Tbilisi V. Sarajishvili State Conservatory, completing both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with top grades. In 2011 a DAAD scholarship took her to the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, where she completed her KA diploma in 2014 and graduated with highest distinction in 2017 under Helmut Österreich.

Betaneli has won more than ten prizes at international competitions across Georgia, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, Croatia, and Russia, including First Prize at the 10th International Guitar Competition “Guitar Renaissance” in Gomel and First Prize at the III International Competition “Renaissance” in Gyumri. She received the Presidential Scholarship of Georgia five times, four DAAD scholarships, and a 2018 grant from Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now.

Sources:

• https://www.siccasguitars.com/blogs/guitarists/gvaneta-betaneli
• https://www.gvaneta-betaneli.com/