Classical guitar lessons in Victoria, BC, Canada with Bradford Werner. All ages and levels are welcome. I offer one-on-one lessons, ensemble coaching, masterclasses, and group coaching sessions. Lessons are positive, productive, and professional. All students learn to read music notation, play with a refined musicality, gain an appreciation of music and history, and use proper technique. Although I specialize in teaching classical guitar I aim to create students who are well rounded musicians overall.
Availability and Contact
I am now interviewing students for fall 2025. After the interview I will either offer you a spot in my studio or recommend the perfect teacher to match your individual needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact me as I always enjoy meeting new students from all ages and levels.
Contact me, Bradford Werner (he/him) at this email: brad@bradfordwerner.ca
1-on-1 Weekly Lessons
All levels and ages welcome. I enjoy teaching a variety of students from youth, career-path emerging professionals, to hobbyist adults. I taught at the Victoria Conservatory for over 16 years, in Victoria for 20 years, and have been playing for over 35 years. I’m a fairly relaxed and fun teacher but along with that is the responsibility of students to practice regularly and come to lessons with the intent to learn. This is something I work on with students and build during our lessons.
Weekly Lesson Rate: $35/30min, $45/45min, $60/min
Irregular Lessons (No Schedule)
I am offering a small number of irregular lessons that do not have a set schedule commitment. These lessons are one hour long or more and scheduled via email on a case by case basis. First come, first serve. I happy to help with repertoire, technique issues, practice session planning and more.
Irregular Lesson Rate: $80/60min
Classical Guitar Open (Performance, Masterclass, or Q&A)
An all-purpose class/club for classical guitarists. You can perform-only, or get a masterclass lesson, or just ask a question about something that you are working on and skip the performance part. Whether you want advice from me or just want to practice performing, this class will give you a slot of time to accomplish whatever you are looking to work on. See details at the classes and ensembles page.
Classical Guitar Ensembles 2025
Youth Ensemble – An opportunity for youth students to rehearse in an ensemble with learning, performance, and recording opportunities. Membership by audition. The approximate level will be grade 2 and up with flexible ages from 8-16 years old (give or take) depending on the level and maturity. See details at the classes and ensembles page.
Intermediate to Advanced Ensemble – Fall 2025. An opportunity for intermediate to professional players to rehearse in an ensemble with performance and recording opportunities. This is a project-based ensemble so members will be assembled based on the repertoire. The approximate level will be grade 5 to advanced. The intention is to go beyond a student group but still within a positive and supportive environment. See details at the classes and ensembles page.
Inclusive and Supportive
My studio is positive and encouraging and I also expect students to treat each other in this way. The spread of illness is discouraged by lesson cancellations and rescheduling to respect the needs of students, teachers, and immunosuppressed students and family members. My studio is an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and is LGBTQ2S+ friendly.
Info on Classical Guitar Lessons
I primarily teach and perform on classical guitar. The classical guitar is a nylon string instrument played with the fingers and has a musical history ranging from the Renaissance era to modern times, Latin and Spanish music, and many cross-over styles. Students of the classical guitar learn all the same things that pianists, violinists, and other orchestral musicians learn. It is likely the most versatile musical instrument in terms of styles and eras of music. My classical students also learn some popular music, chords, and improvisation as well. In the end, my classical students learn everything. I don’t require my students to focus on “classical” music necessarily, once they have the skills of a good musician they can choose what styles or genres they wish to pursue. The educational benefits of the classical guitar teaching route create solid musicians that can read music, perform, and tackle a variety of musical styles and situations.
Teaching Philosophy
I teach using progressive methods that ensure the student is always having success alongside healthy challenges. This creates happy and productive students. I’ve created my own books and materials so we can clearly track progress and achievement in an enjoyable and educational environment. This is common practice in piano and string lessons but more rare in guitar pedagogy. It’s important that both the student and teacher can see completed goals and track progress because that is what makes lessons exciting and successful in the long-term. Another major element in my teaching is to ensure the student develops positive and successful practice habits. Students need to practice well but they also need to learn to enjoy practicing so the experience is rewarding and encouraging. These are life lessons that can help students in many other areas of their life from study habits, schoolwork, and employment. I’m also particularly proud of how all my youth students present themselves in respectful, positive, and confident ways during lessons and public performances.
Adjudication and Exams:
I regularly act as an examiner for the Conservatory as well as adjudicate festivals such as the Alberta Provincial Festival, Mount Royal University Conservatory, Medicine Hat Festival, Northwest Music Festival, and many festivals in Western Canada over the past 10 years. Also, many of my students take both VCM and RCM exams between the levels of Grade 1 to ARCT. My students have, on numerous occasions, come in 1st place at the Victoria as well as the BC Provincial Festival competitions.
Also see my guitar blog (thisisclassicalguitar.com) for online lessons or quotations from students and parents.
“Brad’s smile of confidence, calm presence, and congratulatory word says it all. He quietly mentors, giving our intrepid now-teenage daughter inspiration in both a creative and practical sense. What would we do without him? He knows how to steer the ship, without appearing at the helm!” – Susan Donnecke (Parent)
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