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Antonio Chagas Rosa, International acclaimed composer, reviewed Ruben “(…) as a solo guitarist that his technical skills, artistic sensibility, musical intelligence and professional sense stroke me as it rarely happen in a teacher’s life (…)”, International Guitar Festival Julian Arcas described him as “(…) Different and Brilliant Guitarist (…)”.

After winning 22 international competition prizes all over Europe, he detain a Portugal Prize record after winning 6 prizes just in 2012. He has also been acclaimed as Cultural Ambassador of the Azores due to the success of musical career.

He has been invited to perform in big venues, as a soloist as well as with an orchestra. He has given masterclasses in numerous festivals in 11 countries in Europe, Africa and North America, as “Festival de Guitarra de Larache” (Morroco, 2012), “XIII Certamen Julian Arcas” (Spain, 2013), “Guitar Festival Santo Tirso” (2014, Portugal), “Dia de Portugal” (USA, 2014) and World and Portugal premiere several pieces dedicated to him by Janko Raseta, Konstantin Vassiliev, Antero Ávila, Victor Castro, Nuno Figueiredo, Matthew Dunne, Mathias Duplessy.

Mr. Bettencourt, with over 400 interviews, has appeared on Portuguese TV (RTP, RTP Açores, RTP2), Main Portuguese Radio (RDP – Antena 2), RTV1 (PTB1) (Radio Television Vojvodine – Serbia), Gente da Nossa TV (Canada), Omni TV (Canada), FPTV (Canada), featured in the Portuguese press “Jornal de Notícias”, “Publico”, and as “Portuguese of the Week” on “Correio da Manhã”.

Mr. Bettencourt is currently pursuing his Doctor of Music and Arts degree at Faculty of Music, University of Toronto (Canada), studying classical guitar with Dr. Jeffrey Mcfadden. He holds a Bachelor’s diploma from University of Aveiro (Portugal) with Dr. Paulo Vaz de Carvalho and Dr. Pedro Rodrigues and, with sponsorship from Science and Technology Foundation (Portugal), a Masters in Music degree from Maastricht Conservatory with leading guitarist, Dr. Carlo Marchione.

In recognition for his success, he has maintained sponsorships since 2014 with D’Ornellas Boots, Guitarplayernails.com, Jardim José do Canto Foundation, UTC, Anfiteatro Lounge, acclaimed Cork Portuguese company, Pelcor, Silhouette (Brodheim Group) and Portuguese/Azorian Airliner, SATA.

Upcoming projects include a CD release, totally recorded, mastered and produced by Mr. Bettencourt, scheduled to be released by the end of 2015, featuring a diverse world premiere program, focusing on current composers. Recent engagements for 2016 will enable him to showcase pieces from his CD throughout Portugal, France and the USA. Passionate for the guitar, he has started a Video-Series on his Youtube Vlog channel “GuitarViral”, with the goal of sharing his knowledge and experience with upcoming guitarists.

He has been received and recognized by the  President of the Portuguese Military Knights of Order of Malta, Conde de Albuquerque de Athayde, Protocol Chief of Vatican (Italy), Monsenhor José Avelino Bettencourt, Senator of Massachusetts State House (USA), Senator Michael Rodrigues, Gran Duke of Rusia, George Romanoff (Rusia), among others.

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