Tango master and Argentine guitar legend Máximo Diego Pujol headlines our 7th annual Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival
Máximo Diego Pujol brings the passion of Argentina, the spirit of tango, and some of the world’s most celebrated guitar compositions to the 7th Annual Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival returning to Capilano University from August 13–16, 2026, with four days of intensive workshops, masterclasses and world-class concert performances. Festival registration and concert tickets are now available at www.vancouverguitar.org
“This year, we are incredibly excited to host the legendary guitarist-composer all the way from Buenos Aires, Maximo Diego Pujol!! Celebrated for iconic pieces such as Candombe en Mi from his Preludios Rockeros, and Suite del Plata and Verde Alma, Maestro Pujol is one the most frequently performed and renowned composers of our time,” says festival founder and director Luis Medina.
Vancouver festival audiences will be treated to two extraordinary concerts: a rare performance by Maximo Diego Pujol on Saturday, August 15th; and a demonstration of guitar from classical to Brazilian to flamenco by B.C.’s own Michael Kolk, Vinny Linhares, Iminah Kani on Friday, August 14 at CapU’s beautiful BlueShore Theatre.
Presented in collaboration with the Vancouver Classical Guitar Society and Capilano University, the festival offers four days of inspiring performances, learning, masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and ensemble playing for guitarists of all levels. Luis explains, “We’re expanding beyond our classical programming by showcasing global influences including Argentine tango, flamenco guitar, and Brazilian rhythms in our workshops and concerts.”
Launched in 2020 by guitarist, educator and community builder Luis Angel Medina, the Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival has quickly become one of Canada’s most exciting annual guitar events. Previous guest faculty have included internationally acclaimed artists such as Iliana Matos, Daniel Bolshoy, Marc Teicholz, Ben Verdery, Jeffrey McFadden, and Jorge Caballero.
Máximo Diego Pujol is an international guitar superstar
This year’s festival is going to new heights with the appearance of legendary Argentine composer-guitarist Máximo Diego Pujol, whose music is performed, recorded, and studied worldwide.
Máximo’s musical journey began when, at the age of eight, he discovered an old guitar hidden in a closet at his family home in a Buenos Aires suburb. The instrument — a relic from his father’s youthful career as a tango singer — would shape the course of his life. Surrounded by the sounds of tango and milonga, the young Máximo quickly immersed himself in music, performing publicly by age nine and composing original works soon after. His early composition Sonatina earned top prizes in Argentina and at the prestigious Carrefour Mondial de la Guitare in Martinique, where the jury included celebrated Cuban composer-guitarist Leo Brouwer.
Alongside his classical studies, Máximo performed extensively in Buenos Aires tango clubs, sharing stages with iconic tango musicians while absorbing the traditions of Argentine music. Influenced deeply by composers such as Astor Piazzolla, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Leo Brouwer, Máximo developed a distinctive compositional voice that fuses the rhythms and emotional intensity of tango with sophisticated classical forms and guitar writing.
Today, Máximo Diego Pujol’s works are staples of the international classical guitar repertoire and are studied and performed at major festivals and conservatories around the world.
Festival faculty showcases global guitar influences
Joining Maximo Diego Pujol in the festival faculty is a stellar line-up of celebrated B.C. guitarists demonstrating an exciting range of guitar influences:
· Michael Kolk – (Classical Guitarist) -- One of Canada’s finest, most in-demand guitarists and Vancouver favorite, also instructor at Vancouver Community College.
· Iminah Kani (Flamenco Guitarist) — Bringing the passion, energy, and intricate rhythmic techniques of traditional Flamenco to our festival line-up.
· Vinny Linhares (Brazilian Guitarist) — Introducing participants to the rich, syncopated harmonies and vibrant styles of Brazilian guitar music.
· Lucida Zhao (Co-director & Pianist)
· Luis Angel Medina (Festival Director, Capilano University Instructor, Classical Guitarist)
Learning opportunities for guitarists of all levels
The festival will feature:
· masterclasses with Máximo Diego Pujol
· technique workshops and lectures with festival faculty
· musicianship sessions with Lucida Zhao
· guitar orchestra and ensemble playing
· participant closing concert featuring the festival guitar orchestra
Concerts for guitar music lovers
Two evening concerts will be the highlight the festival:
Friday, August 14, 2026 – 7:30 pm
A celebration of BC’s best guitarists including Michael Kolk, Iminah Kani and Vinny Linhares.
·Saturday, August 15, 2026 – 7:30 pm
A full solo recital by Máximo Diego Pujol
Concert Tickets
$35 (Students/Seniors), $45 (General Admission)
Two concert passes $60-$80
VCGS Members save 15% on concert tickets
Masterclass Registration
$335 CAD (before July 1)
$385 CAD (after July 1)
Auditor Registration
$260 CAD/week (before July 1)
$310 CAD/week (after July 1)
University students and young professionals may apply for registration bursaries.
All concerts, masterclasses, and workshops will take place at Capilano University and the BlueShore Theatre, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, BC
Registration and concert tickets at www.vancouverguitar.org For more information contact Luis Medina directly at outreach@vancouverguitar.org or Valerie Boser, VCGS Publicity Director at publicity@vancouverguitar.org