PSU Guitar Series

The PSU Guitar Series provides concerts, workshops & master classes of distinguished artists for the benefit of our student body and the larger Portland community. Located in the hub of Portland’s cultural district, this annual series is a focal point for guitar activity in the metro area and the Pacific Northwest. Through the generous support of Portland State University, the PSU Foundation, Portland Guitar Society, and community members alike, this series revives a tradition which previously lasted for 17 years and aims to continue it for many years to come. The series is led by Mario Díaz, PSU Guitar faculty.

Since its founding, the series has brought legendary performers and teachers to Portland, including: Antonio Rey, David Russell, The Assad Brothers, Dusan Bogdanovic, Paul O’Dette, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Ana Vidovic, Ralph Towner, Martha Masters, Paul Galbraith, William Kanengiser, and Manuel Barrueco.

In addition to a featured concert the guest artists will provide a masterclass or workshop at PSU. These masterclasses are provided as a service to the community in partnership with the PSU Guitar Program.

Winter 2022 Guest Artist: Johan Smith

The PSU Guitar Series brings Swiss classical guitarist Johan Smith to Portland on Saturday, March 5. Known as a virtuosic interpreter, Smith was named the “Classical Guitar Revelation 2017” by noted French magazine “Guitar Classical Magazine.”

CONCERT
Saturday, March 5
7:30 PM
Lincoln Recital Hall
$15 Suggested Donation

In accordance with PSU policy, face masks will be required for all attendees.

MASTER CLASS
Sunday, March 6
10:30 AM
Lincoln Hall 326
Free and open to the public

In accordance with PSU policy, face masks will be required for all attendees.

ABOUT JOHAN SMITH

Playing at the highest level, Johan Smith has won some of the most competitive and distinguished guitar competitions in the world. As a result of his 2019 win of classical guitar’s most venerable competition, Guitar Foundation of America (GFA), Johan has recorded his first solo album with the Naxos Label (2020); He was a featured soloist in the virtual June 2020 and 2021 GFA conferences, and will begin a six-month tour from January throughout June 2022, presenting solo concerts, conducting master classes and outreach activities in over 50 cities across the United States and Canada.

Learn more at johansmith.net

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Oregon Lumber
The PSU Foundation
The Oregon Community Foundation
Portland State University
Portland Guitar Society
The Bruce and Mary Stephenson Foundation
And the generous support of private donors

Closeup of an acoustic guitar sound hole

Give to the PSU Guitar Series

Your gift directly supports the PSU Guitar initiative of your choice. Funding ensures that talented and deserving students get the encouragement they need to finish their degree, and increases opportunities for community outreach events like the popular PSU Guitar Series.

Give Now

The PSU Guitar Area

The classical guitar studies program at PSU is designed to prepare our students for a profession in music, whether it be as a prize-winning concert performer, teacher, studio musician, arranger/composer or recording artist.

Learn More