From financial advisor to classical guitar virtuoso: the incredible career of Tariq Harb.

The Vancouver Classic Guitar Society is thrilled to launch our 2025–26 season with one of today’s most dazzling guitarists Tariq Harb, hailed by CBC Music as “Canada’s next classical guitar superstar”,  on Saturday, September 27th at the Vancouver Academy of Music. The multi-award winning classical guitarist has been described as “a world-class performer with extraordinary technical ability” - which is pretty amazing since he only picked up the instrument at 26 years old!

If you’ve ever thought of a career change, you’ll love Tariq’s story. After moving to Canada to study finance at Concordia University and launching a successful career in the financial sector, Tariq felt unfulfilled and decided to trade his dream of a Porsche Boxster for the life of a musician.  Along the way, he swapped his violin for a classical guitar and skyrocketed to the top, winning competitions and rave reviews.  “I love everything about music,”   he says by way of explanation. “When I’m on stage I feel like I can be 100% myself.” 

Tariq won top prizes at the Barrios WorldWideWeb, Montreal International, and Tokyo International Classical Guitar competitions. His international career includes performances in iconic venues like Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and a solo debut at Carnegie Hall. Tariq is also a prolific recording artist with seven solo albums, a sought-after composer and arranger, and a popular educator with a huge social media following including 140,000 on Instagram, 76,000 on Facebook and 50,000 on his YouTube channel.. The acclaimed Jordanian‑Canadian guitarist is now a Professor of Guitar at Concordia University, Montreal. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Toronto.  

Tariq’s Vancouver concert will include music that he loves with pieces by Albeniz, Tarrega, de Falla, and Paganini plus an original composition called Spirit.  He is a performer whose concerts electrify audiences and critics alike. The Triangle Guitar Society raved: “Harb played with a panache that quickened the listener’s pulse.”   TEDGlobal praised his “masterful command of melody and emotion.”

Don’t miss Tariq Harb in concert on Saturday, September 27th at 7 pm at Koerner Hall, Vancouver Academy of Music, 1270 Chestnut Street.  Come early at 6:15 and catch performances by up-and-coming guitarists from the UBC School of Music.  Four-concert season subscriptions and single tickets available now at www.vancouverguitar.org