We recently connected with Silviu Ciulei and have shared our conversation below.
Silviu, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
When I was about 5 years old and was playing around with a guitar around the house, often riding it like a motorcycle and carrying it around with me to places.
Silviu, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Dr. Silviu Ciulei, I am a classical/flamenco guitarist and professor of guitar at the University of Florida where I am head of the guitar program. I got into guitar/music when I was 6 years old and started studying music at the Conservatory of Music in my home town of Constanta, Romania. I play, write and teach guitar music and specialize in the styles of classical and flamenco, but am proficient in many other styles. This ability to play in these specific styles usually sets me apart from other guitarists. I am most proud of my students, my compositions, my work with my flamenco group, the Global Music Award winning Maharajah Flamenco Trio, and for being a Latin Grammy Award Winning Album Artist.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspects of being an artist/creative person are to share my art with my audience and to further this art form by passing it down to the next generations through my teaching. My students are some of the most inspiring people to be around and it is truly rewarding to teach them/help them become the most accomplished version of themselves and fully thrive in life and all that they want to in life.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I was about twelve years old, I moved to Spain to really learn the art of flamenco guitar. I had left my family back in Romania and went there to study for about 3 years. That experience has made me into the player I am today. The effort of being away from home was very painful and I missed my family and friends dearly but I kept going because I wanted to be the best I could at flamenco guitar which fascinated me from early on in my studies. 
Contact Info:
- Website: 1. http://www.silviuciulei.com/index.html 2. https://www.mftrio.com/
- Instagram: 1. https://www.instagram.com/silviu.ciulei.guitar/?hl=en 2. https://www.instagram.com/mftrio/?hl=en
- Facebook: 1. https://www.facebook.com/sciulei 2. https://www.facebook.com/SilviuGuitarist/?locale=ro_RO 3. https://www.facebook.com/maharajahtrio/?locale=ro_RO
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTTRBSR5GqE&pp=ygUUc2lsdml1IGNpdWxlaSBndWl0YXI%3D
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPVQJ5Dpz_Y&pp=ygUUc2lsdml1IGNpdWxlaSBndWl0YXI%3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca0fOdCTG_E&pp=ygUUc2lsdml1IGNpdWxlaSBndWl0YXI%3D
Image Credits
Tania Moldovan