Ben Lahring

Ben Lahring has been praised for his compelling “sense of narrative, of story-telling” (Fanfare Magazine), and his “gift of playing the intention behind the music” (William Beauvais, composer). His formative years were spent in tropical Darwin, Australia. After earning his Bachelor of Music in Sydney, Australia, he moved to New York City, where he taught, performed, and recorded his first album. Lahring later moved to Canada, where he worked as a church music director before pursuing his Master of Music at the University of Calgary. His primary guitar teachers include Stephan Bulmer (Darwin), Philip Moran (Sydney), Ben Verdery (NYC), and Dr. Ralph Maier (Calgary). Additional lessons with Iliana Matos and Patrick Roux, as well as masterclasses and workshops with many renowned musicians, have also been influential in the development of his playing. Lahring has studied composition with Dr. Heva Chan (Sydney), Dr. Laurie Radford (Calgary) and Dr. Allan Bell (Calgary). Lahring’s debut album, My Stage, was praised for being “fun and enthusiastic” and displaying “a natural feel for the music” (Bradford Werner, This is Classical Guitar). His latest album, Driftwood, has been lauded as "a work of originality and shimmering beauty" (Vivascene) and “one of the most singularly beautiful guitar recitals” (Fanfare Magazine). Ben has over twenty years of teaching experience, having taught at the following institutions in Canada, Australia, and the USA: University of Calgary, MRU Conservatory, Long & McQuade, Musicworks, Morin Music, Harmony Music School, Cornerstone Music Cafe​, 92nd Street Y, New York Conservatory of Music, LREI, IvyBound Education, Belle Arti Center for the Arts, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Wesley Institute, Holy Cross College, Five Dock Music School