American classical guitarist, Xavier Jara, is the winner of the 2016 GFA International Concert Artist Competition. Founded in 1973, the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) is America's leading guitar organization. Jara was a student of Alan Johnston at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis until 2011 when he moved to Paris, France to study with Judicael Perroy. He completed his Bachelor's Degree at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris where he also studied with French guitarist, Olivier Chassain, and lute master, Eric Bellocq. He also received first place in a number of international competitions taking place in Boston, Italy, and Tokyo.