International guitar festival · June · Since 2018
Classes by day, concerts by night: a bilingual guitar summer program for all ages in Boston.
La Guitarra Fest is ALMA Boston's international guitar summer program: one week in June of ensemble, technique, ear training, masterclasses and private lessons from 10 am to 2 pm, with a concert every night at 7:30 pm. It welcomes classical, popular, rock and jazz guitarists of all ages, in English and Spanish.
In short
Mornings are for playing: ensemble, a technique group class, chorus and ear training, with masterclasses for intermediate and advanced students and private lessons on request. Drop-in classes let you join for a single day.
Evenings belong to the stage. The guest artists give a concert each night at 7:30 pm, and students perform what they rehearsed during the week — for many young guitarists, their first time in front of a real audience.
The faculty is led by ALMA's founder, classical guitarist Zaira Meneses, with international guests — in 2025, Artyom Dervoed and Guillermo Ortiz. The program is open to guitarists of every age and level; masterclasses are reserved for intermediate and advanced players.
Classical players bring a classical guitar, footstool, music stand and a folder for sheet music. Popular, rock and jazz players bring their guitar, a quarter-inch cable and a tuner; amplifiers are provided for group classes and performances.
From the Latin American Music Festival, founded in 2018 when ALMA co-sponsored the long-awaited return to Boston of composer, conductor and guitarist Leo Brouwer. Since then the festival has worked with the New England Conservatory, Northeastern University, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Rivers School Conservatory, the New Art Center in Newton and Carriage House Violins, and in 2025 presented the Latin American Guitar Festival with UNAM Boston at UMass Boston.
2026 dates and pricing will be announced here. Scholarships are available on request.
Ensemble, technique, chorus, ear training, masterclasses and all concerts, Monday to Sunday.
Drop in for a single day of classes and that night's concert.
With the faculty and guest artists, on request during the week.
Dates
TBA2026–2027 edition: dates to be announced.
People
Zaira Meneses
Founder and artistic director
Watch
No. Ensemble parts are taught by ear and by score; masterclasses assume intermediate reading.
Yes — the festival includes a competition for emerging guitarists; rules and categories are published with each edition.
ALMA's programs are free or low-cost because people like you fund scholarships, instruments and rehearsal space.
