When a young musician from a small Illinois town steps onto one of the world’s most storied stages, the journey behind that moment often carries as much weight as the performance itself. For 15-year-old Alexandria Alyse Cutting, the path to Carnegie Hall has been paved with both artistic dedication and the daily management of a chronic connective tissue disorder.
Alexandria Alyse Cutting during the recording session for J. K. Mertz’s ‘Tarantella.’
Alexandria Alyse Cutting during the recording session for Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Prelude No. 2.
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The Illinois guitarist, who lives with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, will perform works by Bach and Brouwer at the prestigious New York venue.
Playing at Carnegie Hall has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. It feels surreal that I actually get to fulfill this wish”— Alexandria Alyse Cutting
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, November 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Fifteen-year-old classical guitarist Alexandria Alyse Cutting, hailing from Carbondale, Illinois, is scheduled to step onto the Carnegie Hall stage for the first time on November 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Her appearance is part of the NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert, set to take place at Weill Recital Hall in New York City. This performance marks a pivotal achievement for the young artist, whose growth as a musician has unfolded alongside the realities of living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), a condition affecting the body’s connective tissues.
The program Alexandria has prepared includes a classical guitar transcription of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007, alongside Leo Brouwer’s Canción de Cuna, a piece rooted in Cuban lullaby tradition. These selections highlight her fascination with the guitar’s expressive range and her commitment to building a repertoire that balances technical skill with nuanced musicality.
For Alexandria, the upcoming concert is the realization of a long-held personal goal and a stepping stone toward broader horizons in the music world. Reflecting on the significance of the moment, she shared her disbelief and gratitude.
“Playing at Carnegie Hall has been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl,” Alexandria said. “It feels surreal that I actually get to fulfill this wish.”
The accomplishment carries extra weight given the physical hurdles presented by her condition. Alexandria had already begun her classical guitar studies before her diagnosis, and she has continued to pursue her craft while navigating the complications that hEDS brings.
As her health challenges grew more complex, there were moments when the future she had envisioned for herself seemed uncertain. The opportunity to perform at this iconic venue has reignited her belief in what she can achieve. Reflecting on that struggle, she explained, “The more my medical issues progressed, the more I began to lose sight of that part of me who strived to perform at many beautiful places, like Carnegie Hall, and share my music with the world.”
Alexandria is also mindful of the broader impact her story might have. She hopes that seeing her on stage will inspire other young people dealing with rare or chronic health issues to hold onto their own dreams. She views this debut as more than a personal milestone—it is a chance to show that artistic ambition can thrive even when faced with considerable personal obstacles.
The path to this performance was paved through her involvement in the NY Classical Debut Awards, an international competition that grants select musicians the chance to play at Carnegie Hall. Her interest was sparked after she followed the careers of a local pianist and violinist who had taken part in the program previously. Watching their success and the recognition they received motivated her to submit her own application.
Being chosen for the Winners’ Concert is the result of years of rigorous study, competitive performances, and participation in masterclasses and festivals both domestically and abroad. Her instructors have included Stephen Mattingly, a classical guitar educator at Florida State University; João Vitor, her guitar teacher affiliated with Indiana University in Bloomington; and Denis Bizhga, a guitar educator connected to the University of Tirana in Albania.
She has also had the opportunity to learn from a roster of internationally acclaimed guitarists in masterclass settings, including Andrew York, Jason Vieaux, Irina Kulikova, Daniel Ortega, Meng Su, Jiji Kim, and An Tran. These sessions have exposed her to a wide array of artistic philosophies and performance styles.
Her competitive track record is substantial. At the University of Louisville, she has earned multiple awards: first prize in the 14-and-under division in 2023, second prize in both 2024 and 2025, and a first prize in the 15-and-under division in 2026. That same year, she also took third place in the 15–18 division. Additionally, she secured second place in the 14-and-under category at the 2025 Appalachian State University competition and has achieved placements in international contests such as the Marku International Remote Competition, the Albania International Remote Competition, and the International Fringe Competition in China.
Away from the guitar, Alexandria maintains a rigorous academic schedule as a sophomore and straight-A student at Carbondale Community High School. She has noted the strong backing she receives from the entire school community, including administrators, counselors, teachers, and peers. Her musical journey has also connected her with organizations like the Guitar Foundation of America, St. Louis Classical Guitar, the Shearer Summer Institute in North Carolina, and the Guitar Retreat in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Alexandria is quick to acknowledge the cumulative impact of the teachers, mentors, festivals, and masterclasses that have shaped her growth, providing the skills and self-assurance needed to take on such a significant performance at a young age. Among those who have played a key role are Doreen D’Amico, a New York-based private voice teacher and mentor, in addition to her guitar instructors and the wider network of musicians she has met along the way.
Coming from a modest Midwestern background, the prospect of performing in New York City is especially thrilling for Alexandria. She will take the stage alongside other young musicians from diverse instrumental and cultural backgrounds. She hopes this experience will open doors for future performances, continued education, and eventually a career that includes teaching and collaborative musical projects. For her, the November concert is not just a single event but a significant chapter in an ongoing personal and artistic narrative.
“I will be forever grateful for this opportunity because it really gives me hope that I and many others with rare diseases will not be defined their medical conditions,” she said.
The NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM, at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
About Alexandria Alyse Cutting:
Alexandria Alyse Cutting is a 15-year-old classical guitarist from Carbondale, Illinois. She has taken part in national and international guitar competitions, festivals, and masterclasses, earning recognition in several youth categories. Her studies have involved work with guitar educators and internationally recognized performers. Living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Alexandria continues to advance her musical career while using her experience to highlight the importance of perseverance and opportunity for young people facing medical challenges. She will make her Carnegie Hall debut on November 14, 2026, at the NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert.
Pietro Molteni
Elite Music Careers | New York, NY
office@elitemusiccareers.com
Alexandria Alyse Cutting plays J.K. Mertz “Tarantella”, and J.S. Bach “BWV 1007 Prelude”
Why it matters: Alexandria’s debut is a powerful reminder that artistic achievement is not limited by physical circumstances. Her story underscores how perseverance, community support, and access to performance platforms can help young people with chronic conditions redefine what is possible, offering a beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.
