“His talent and intense musical activity [are] remarkable.”

La Scena Musicale, Montreal

“An exceptional talent [with] mature artistic expression and dedication.”

International Concert Series, Victoria Guitar Society

Photo: Tengyue Zhang and Karina Rodríguez

ROBERT WANG. (b. 2000) explores sound (and smell). He aspires to challenge the traditional representation of classical guitar while juxtaposing music of the early and the contemporary. As a classical guitarist, historical plucked instrumentalist, and composer, his extensive repertoire features works from the Renaissance to the 21st century, often appearing in adventurous and multi-sensory pairings.

In addition to performing the classical guitar canon, Robert attends to contemporary compositions, orchestral arrangements, and solo works for other instruments. His versatility was showcased in the premiere of Alexander Dunn’s arrangement of George Crumb’s Sonata for Solo Violoncello, as well as his collaboration with Nmon Ford on Ian Krouse’s Villançicos. As the 2022-2023 GSI Foundation Scholar, Robert recorded a selection of solo works at Guitar Salon International, including the Crumb arrangement. He has performed in Bridges Hall of Music, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, The Getty, Jordan Hall, and Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, and has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning.

Robert is a historically informed performer, versed in playing basso continuo and solo on theorbo, lute, and baroque guitar. He is primarily devoted to ensemble playing and has performed with ASU Music Theatre and Opera (L’Orfeo), Bach Collegium San Diego, Early Music Vancouver (Vespers of 1610), Ensemble Flame (O Mother What Shall I Do), The Golden Bridge, OperaNEO (Ariodante), Shunske Sato, Sibelius Academy Baroque Orchestra (King Arthur), Tesserae Baroque, USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia, and the USC Thornton Opera (Actéon).

One of Robert’s interests is experimenting with the intersection of perfumery and music. Hosted by The Institute for Art and Olfaction, his self-launched project, FOOTPRINT (2022), is a reimagined classical/baroque guitar concert accompanied by his own custom-formulated perfume lineup. The program featured works by Carter, Farintosh, Prokofiev, Santa Cruz, Sanz, and Scriabin.

Robert earned his MM and BM in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, receiving the 2025 Outstanding Graduate Award in the Master of Music category. He studies classical guitar with William Kanengiser, Scott Tennant, and Pepe Romero, historical plucked instruments with Jason Yoshida, composition with Veronika Krausas, harpsichord with Ian Pritchard, and conducting with Jacob Sustaita. His past teachers include established guitarists Alexander Dunn and Eliot Fisk. Robert is a prize winner of several prestigious international competitions, including the first prize in the 2018 Montreal International Classical Guitar Festival Youth Competition.

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