VANCOUVER CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL
JULY 17-20, 2025
THE VANCOUVER CLASSICAL GUITAR FESTIVAL 2025 WILL TAKE PLACE AS IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS, MASTERCLASSES, AND CONCERTS FROM JULY 17-20 AT CAPILANO UNIVERSITY, 2055 PURCELL WAY, NORTH VANCOUVER, BC.
The Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival is back July 17-20! Presented in collaboration with the Vancouver Classical Guitar Society and Capilano University, this year’s festival is designed as an intensive learning experience in the beautiful setting of Capilano University in North Vancouver. The VCGFest is a unique opportunity for guitarists of all levels to participate in masterclasses, workshops, and guitar ensemble and for music lovers to be inspired by faculty concerts by Marc Teicholz, Michael Kolk, David Sossa, Louise Southwood and Jennie Press, Tejay Liao, Alec Pearson, Catherine Huo, Lucida Zhao, and Luis Angel Medina.
Launched in 2020 by guitarist Luis Angel Medina, the Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival has evolved into a much-anticipated annual celebration of classical guitar. Dozens of guitarists from Metro Vancouver and beyond have participated in a week of masterclasses, workshops and faculty concerts with top-tier faculty from all over the world including Iliana Matos, Daniel Bolshoy, Marc Teicholz, Ben Verdery, Jeffrey McFadden, and Jorge Caballero.
Learning for Guitarists of All Levels: The 6th Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival offers in-person workshops, lectures, masterclasses and an ensemble. You will be able to develop your guitar skills with top tier, world-leading experts. From the beginner who just learned how to read notes, to the aspiring professional who is diving deeper into music, this week is designed to get everyone together to share a unifying experience of playing the guitar. Our faculty workshops and masterclasses will be offered by Marc Teicholz, Michael Kolk, David Sossa, and Alec Pearson. We would like to also welcome Tejay Liao to this year’s faculty, who will bring his extensive knowledge on learning effectively by using cutting edge strategies and techniques from the field of neuroscience!; Lucida Zhao, our pianist in residence offering musicianship workshops; and Luis Angel Medina, Capilano University instructor, who will be sharing his tips on how to maximize your technique.
Concerts for Lovers of Classical Guitar: We’ve got two wonderful concerts for you to enjoy.
Saturday, July 19th, 7:30 pm: Marc Teicholz, Sequoia Duo, Catherine Huo
We are very excited to welcome Marc Teicholz, guitar professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and former GFA winner as our guest faculty Marc will headline the Saturday, July 19th, 7:30 pm concert. Joining him on stage is the Sequoia Duo, local guitarist Louise Southwood and her violin partner, Jennie Press. Plus we’re thrilled to introduce 13 year old guitar sensation and winner of the Northwest Guitar Festival competition Catherine Huo.
Friday, July 18th, 7:30 pm: Michael Kolk, David Sossa, Alec Pearson
The Friday, July 19th concert will feature Michael Kolk, one of Canada’s finest guitarists and recently appointed guitar instructor at Vancouver Community College; it will also feature David Sossa, who will be presenting his exciting workshop on Latin-American Rhythms on the Saturday morning workshop!
VENUE : All concerts and classes will be held at Capilano University, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5
CONCERT TICKETS AND PASSES
Friday July 18th concert tickets:
Saturday July 19th concert tickets:
Two-Concert Pass (includes admission to both, Friday and Saturday Concerts.
MASTERCLASS REGISTRATION: $325 CAD* (by June 17th)
$375 CAD (after June 17th)
AUDITOR REGISTRATION: $250 CAD/week** (by June 1st)
$300 CAD/week (after June 17th)
UNIVERSITY STUDENT/YOUNG PROFESSIONALS MAY REGISTER AND QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE REGISTRATION BURSARIES. Fill out the registration form below and check the box: “University student/young professional” when submitting the form.
*THE MASTERCLASS REGISTRATION INCLUDES ADMISSION IN ALL WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, CONCERTS AND ONE MASTERCLASS TIME SLOT WITH THE GUEST FACULTY.
**FULL REGISTRATION INCLUDES ADMISSION TO ALL WORKSHOPS, MASTERCLASSES, LECTURES, AND CONCERTS. PARTICIPATION INCLUDES AUDITING ALL MASTERCLASSES.
Events:
Musicianship with Lucida Zhao
Guitar Orchestra with Luis Medina
Masterclasses with Marc Teicholz
Friday Night Opening Concert featuring Local Faculty with Michael Kolk, David Sossa, and more!
Saturday Night Concert featuring Marc Teicholz , Sequoia Duo, formed by Louise Southwood and Jennie Press, and Alec Pearson.
Learning Effectively Workshop, with Tejay Liao
Technique Workshops with Alec Pearson and Luis Medina
Latin-American Rhythms with David Sossa
Workshop with guest faculty Marc Teicholz
Participants’ Closing Concert featuring the Festival's guitar orchestra
For more information visit www.medinaguitar.com/vcgfest2025 or email Luis Medina at outreach@vancouverguitar.org or luismedina@capilanou.ca
Register here:
Please fill out the form below. Payment details will be finalized after speaking with one of our volunteers about your registration. Payment can be made by e-transfer or credit card. Credit card payments will be subject to an added processing fee.