15-year-old guitarist Alexandria Alyse Cutting set for Carnegie Hall debut

Alexandria Alyse Cutting, a 15-year-old classical guitarist from Carbondale, Illinois, will perform at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 14, 2026, as part of the NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert. Her debut comes as she balances a growing music career with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder.

Why it matters: - Alexandria Alyse Cutting’s Carnegie Hall debut is a major milestone for a young classical guitarist whose career is already drawing attention through competitions, masterclasses and festival performances. - The performance also highlights how rare or chronic medical conditions can intersect with high-level artistic training and achievement. - Cutting says the opportunity could encourage other young people living with medical challenges to keep pursuing their goals.

What happened: - Alexandria Alyse Cutting, 15, will make her Carnegie Hall debut on Nov. 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Weill Recital Hall in New York City. - Cutting, who is from Carbondale, Illinois, will perform in the NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert. - Her program includes a classical guitar transcription of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007, and Leo Brouwer’s Canción de Cuna. - Cutting will appear on the stage after being selected through the NY Classical Debut Awards, an international music competition that brings performers to Carnegie Hall.

The details: - Cutting lives with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or hEDS, a connective tissue disorder. - She began studying classical guitar before her condition was identified and has continued her musical development while managing related complications. - Cutting has studied with Stephen Mattingly, João Vitor and Denis Bizhga. - She has also taken masterclasses with Andrew York, Jason Vieaux, Irina Kulikova, Daniel Ortega, Meng Su, Jiji Kim and An Tran. - Her competition record includes first prize in the 14-and-under division at the University of Louisville in 2023. - She earned second prize in the same Louisville division in 2024 and 2025. - Cutting won first prize in the 15-and-under division at Louisville in 2026. - She also placed third in the 15-18 division in 2026. - Cutting took second place in the 14-and-under category at the 2025 Appalachian State University competition. - Her other competition results include placements in the Marku International Remote Competition, Albania International Remote Competition and International Fringe Competition in China. - Cutting is a sophomore at Carbondale Community High School and is a straight-A student. - Her musical activities have connected her with the Guitar Foundation of America, St. Louis Classical Guitar, the Shearer Summer Institute in North Carolina and the Guitar Retreat in St. Andrews, Scotland. - She also cites Doreen D’Amico, a New York-based private voice teacher and mentor, among the people who have supported her development.

Between the lines: - Cutting’s debut is not just a one-night showcase. It reflects years of training across local, national and international settings. - Her story fits a broader pattern in classical music, where early competition success and mentorship often shape major performance opportunities. - The Carnegie Hall appearance also gives Cutting a public platform tied to perseverance, identity and disability awareness, not just musicianship.

What’s next: - Cutting says she hopes the Carnegie Hall performance leads to more opportunities to perform, continue her education and eventually teach and collaborate. - The Nov. 14 concert will place her alongside other young musicians representing different instruments and musical backgrounds. - Cutting sees the debut as one step in a longer artistic journey rather than a final goal.

The bottom line: - For Alexandria Alyse Cutting, Carnegie Hall is both a career breakthrough and a personal statement: her medical condition does not define the scope of her ambitions.