From his formative years spent in tropical northern Australia to a globe-spanning music career, Ben Lahring has established himself as a captivating composer and performer with “absolutely beautiful” interpretations (Liona Boyd) and a “gift of playing the intention behind the music” (William Beauvais, composer). 

Lahring has always been bold in his musical explorations, with engagements ranging from a year-long solo-guitar performance residency in Sydney, Australia, to playing in the orchestra pits of musical theater productions and touring with choirs, rock bands and soul singers. He was a regular fixture in the New York City guitar scene for several years, where he released his first album of solo guitar music, praised for being “fun and enthusiastic” and displaying “a natural feel for the music” (This is Classical Guitar).

Lahring’s latest album of solo guitar music, Driftwood, has been reviewed to high acclaim as "a work of originality and shimmering beauty" (Vivascene) and “one of the most singularly beautiful guitar recitals” (Fanfare Magazine). Lahring’s work has been supported by the City of Calgary and his solo concerts always include meaningful original compositions in addition to musical gems from Australia, Canada and other places he’s lived and traveled. His own compositions are consistently popular with audiences and have been receiving increased attention from performers, with recent Canadian premieres of his works for guitar orchestra, guitar quartet, solo guitar, solo ukulele, and solo piano. 

Lahring completed his graduate studies as a scholarship student at the University of Calgary, studying guitar performance with early music specialist Dr. Ralph Maier, and composition with Dr. Allan Bell. Additional lessons with Philip Moran, Ben Verdery, Patrick Roux and Iliana Matos, as well as masterclasses and workshops with Jason Vieaux, Jerome Ducharme, Judicael Perroy, and Rene Izquierdo, amongst others, have also been influential in the development of his playing. Ever the musical explorer, he has also received extensive formal training in singing and choral conducting and spent several years as a choir director.​

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Ben Lahring is an Associate Composer with the Canadian Music Centre and an Adjudicator with the Royal Conservatory of Music College of Examiners. He teaches guitar at Ambrose University and at the Mount Royal University Conservatory. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the Classical Guitar Society of Calgary.