Emma Rush is “widely regarded as one of Canada’s premier classical guitarists” (Vivascene Magazine) and her career has commanded world recognition. International touring highlights include the Shanghai International Guitar Festival, Festival de Guitarras Lagos de Moreno (Mexico), Future Echoes Festival (Sweden), and the prestigious Internationales Gitarren Symposion Iserlohn (Germany). Rush is a favourite guest at Canadian guitar festivals including GuitarFest West (Calgary), Guitar Alla Grande (Ottawa), Sauble Beach Guitar Festival (ON), and the Montreal International Guitar Festival and she tours regularly across Canada and world-wide. Rush is a diverse musician and on any given day can be found performing rare historical works, unusual gems of the Latin guitar repertoire, or new Canadian works written for her. “Emma Rush has crafted a sound that transcends generations and speaks directly to the heart and soul.” (Too Much Love Magazine)

Performing on Friday

Since its debut in 1999, the Canadian Guitar Quartet has performed on three continents, going from one standing ovation to the next, and established a reputation as one of the finest guitar ensembles in the world. During its twenty-plus years, the CGQ has released four critically acclaimed albums while touring extensively in Canada and abroad, appearing in recital, and with orchestra. The CGQ’s first concert at the 92Street Y in New York city, part of the Art of the Guitar series, was extremely well received. Don Witter Jr., of the New York City Classical Guitar Society, wrote: “The Canadian Guitar Quartet made one of the greatest New York City Debuts of any artistic ensemble in decades…STUNNING !!!”. As well as performing and recording, the CGQ continues to mentor and direct young guitarists through clinics, masterclasses, and one on one teaching. While personnel changes have occurred over the years, the ensemble has remained committed to its core mission: chamber music at its highest level, presenting a robust mix of clever new arrangements of classical masterworks alongside bold new works for guitar quartet – most often penned by past and present members of the ensemble. The engaging repertoire, performed with the CGQ’s fiery virtuosity, augmented by the players’ easy and congenial rapport with the audience, all make a Canadian Guitar Quartet concert an event to remember.

Performing on Friday

JUNO winner Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Her debut release as a leader, Elegant Traveler, won a 2021 JUNO for Jazz Album of the Year. Her sophomore album, Golden Hour, reached #1 on the Canadian Earshot charts.Jocelyn has spent the last several years touring extensively. 2023 saw Jocelyn featured in a 34 city American and Canadian solo guitar theatre tour. She also made her debut as a leader in the U.K., Spain and Israel as part of an extensive three continent tour celebrating the release of her third album, Sonic Bouquet. Jocelyn Gould has performed internationally in the groups of Grammy nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, trumpeter Etienne Charles and DownBeat Critics Poll winner trombonist Michael Dease. She can be heard on albums led by Michael Dease, Caity Gyorgy, Jon Gordon, Diego Rivera, Randy Napoleon, and Will Bonness. Jocelyn is a full time professor and Head of Guitar at Humber College in Toronto. She is endorsed by Benedetto Guitars.

Performing on Saturday

Guitarist Colin Davin has emerged as one of today’s most dynamic artists. Performance highlights include concertos with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, New Mexico Philharmonic, and Richmond Symphony; and duo collaborations with guitarist Sharon Isbin, harpist Emily Levin, soprano Estelí Gomez, violinist Tessa Lark, and cellist Edward Arron.Colin appeared as a featured musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman alongside the late Jessye Norman. He has performed at venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Alhambra Palace, the Paris Conservatoire, the Fridge Fringe in Dubai, and Afghanistan National Institute of Music.Colin Davin is the Director of Guitar Studio and Associate Professor of Guitar at Shenandoah Conservatory. He previously served as Co-Head of the guitar department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and on the faculty of the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory. He has presented masterclasses at The Juilliard School, Aspen Music Festival, Oberlin Conservatory, and more.He holds a Master of Music from The Juilliard School, with Sharon Isbin; a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California, with William Kanengiser; and underwent preparatory studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, with Jason Vieaux.Colin Davin plays a guitar by Joshia de Jonge with Augustine Strings.

Performing on Sunday

When Tim Farrell gracefully evokes a melody from his acoustic guitar, you don’t just hear it — you feel it. Tim is among a rare breed of musicians who can make listeners experience music on a multitude of levels. His melodies captivate and enchant, while his playing expresses a simple elegance that celebrates the purity of the acoustic guitar. Tim is a highly accomplished musician whose roots and influences transcend genre. He has mastered the intricacies of fingerstyle guitar — infusing craft, technique and melodic substance to create his own inimitable style. Tim is one of only 4 artists who have won the International Acoustic Music Awards and also been named as one of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists.

Performing on Sunday

Alex Bougie is a classical guitarist from the Ottawa region who wishes to transmit his love of music through both teaching and performance. After obtaining his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Ottawa under the tutelage of Patrick Roux, he has amassed a wealth of experience as an arranger, musical director, and by performing both as accompanist and soloist. He performs and records regularly as a founding member of the Ottawa Guitar Trio, an ensemble which aims to promote classical and instrumental music to a wider audience by presenting their own arrangements of music from movie scores, video game soundtracks as well as pieces from the classical canon.

Performing throughout the festival