Structured. Progressive. Personal.
About Classical Guitar Corner
Classical Guitar Corner exists to make learning the classical guitar clear and joyful. The internet is full of scattered lessons with no path through them. We offer the opposite: a structured, step-by-step curriculum that covers everything from technique and reading to repertoire and ensemble playing, taught by real musicians, in the company of a warm community of guitarists from around the world.
Founder's Story
Meet Simon Powis
I grew up in Australia and started music around the age of five, though not on the guitar. It was on the cornet, a sort of little sister to the trumpet. As a teenager I grew my hair long and did my best to be Steve Vai, and then one day I saw the light. I fell for classical music and the classical guitar, and before long I was deep in scales and etudes and studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
A few years later I was lucky enough to be accepted to Yale on a full scholarship, and to be awarded the first guitar doctorate the school had given in over thirty years. These days I live in New York City, where I teach, perform, and do my best to keep up with the rent.
This site means a great deal to me. The people who come here and join the courses are kind, thoughtful, and willing to put in real work, and they get real results. Being able to play a part in that is one of the great privileges of my life.
A Life in Music
Simon's Background
As a Performer
- Carnegie Hall, New York
- The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
- The GFA Symposium
- International tours through China, Argentina, Peru, Australia, and beyond
As a Teacher
- The first guitar doctorate from Yale in over thirty years
- Classes and workshops at Yale, Colorado, Sydney, Adelaide, and more
- Masterclasses around the world
- Students who have gone on to careers in music
"I had the pleasure of studying with Simon at Yale. He gave me the tools to improve my playing, taught me how to be my own teacher, and constantly encouraged me to strive for more. Through his guidance, I realized that I wanted to pursue guitar as a career."
Koh K., former student, now completing his doctorateThe Team
Meet the Teachers
The teaching at CGC is led by Simon and supported by a small group of dedicated, accomplished guitarists from around the world.
Simon Powis
Founder & Director
Head teacher for the curriculum, host of the CGC Podcast, and director of the Summer School. Doctorate in classical guitar from Yale.
Meet Simon
David Belcher
Community Manager
An experienced performing guitarist who keeps the community running. You will meet Dave on the forum and over email.
Meet Dave
Sanja Plohl
Teacher
A virtuoso performer with over thirty major awards, including first prizes at the Cordoba, Seville, and Ivor Mairants competitions.
James Erickson
Teacher
Teaches across the New York metropolitan area and is an adjunct instructor of music at three colleges, including LIU Post.
Jane Curry
Teacher
Born in the UK and based in New Zealand, with six recorded CDs including releases on the Naxos label.
Nicoletta Todesco
Teacher
An Italian guitarist with a master's from Yale, performing and teaching in New York City.
The CGC Podcast
Conversations with the Masters
For over a decade, Simon has hosted the Classical Guitar Corner Podcast: more than one hundred episodes of interviews, lessons, repertoire analysis, and recording reviews. It is a window into how great players actually think about the instrument.
Guests have included John Williams, David Russell, Sharon Isbin, Scott Tennant, Marcin Dylla, Ben Verdery, Alvaro Pierri, and Oscar Ghiglia.
Listen to the PodcastCome Learn With Us
If this sounds like the kind of learning you have been looking for, the CGC Academy is where it all comes together: the full curriculum, live coaching, and the community. Not everything is for everyone, but I would love to have you join us. If you would rather start for free, the free lessons are a wonderful place to begin.
Explore the Academy Browse Free Lessons