New England Conservatory Boston Guitarfest 2026

Boston GuitarFest (GFest) is an international, cross-disciplinary celebration of the classical guitar and its past, present and future, designed to serve music lovers and lovers of the guitar around the globe offering individual instruction, classes, seminars, lectures, and live performances by eminent artists and scholars. Boston GuitarFest is the dream of visionary guitar virtuoso and Artist Director Eliot Fisk, and is cosponsored by New England Conservatory and Northeastern University. Guitarists of all ages and levels will participate in a variety of available programs that include lessons, ensembles, workshops, competitions, masterclasses, and concerts. Special guest artists Xuefei Yang and Oscar Ghiglia will join Eliot Fisk in this years festival for concerts and masterclasses. Participants: Guitarists of various levels over the age of 17 will be immersed in 5 days of private lessons, masterclasses, guitar chamber ensembles rehearsals and coachings, seminars, and concerts featuring renown artists, including GuitarFest Artistic Director and NEC faculty member Eliot Fisk. Young Guitarists Workshop: Young guitarists between the ages of 6 and 17 will spend a week in level-appropriate group classes, masterclasses with distinguished faculty, music appreciation classes, a rock guitar workshop, and other activities. The program consists of two levels for the different age groups. Competitions: In addition to the annual Boston GuitarFest Adult Competition for guitarists over the age of 17, this year’s festival welcomes the return of the Youth Competition. The Adult Competition awards cash prizes, plus a custom-built guitar by Steve Connor for the first place winner. The Youth Competition consists of a Junior Division for ages 6 to 14 and a Senior Division for ages 15-17, and awards cash prizes and trophies to the winners.