Born in Geneva in 1990, Johan Smith began guitar studies with Marie-Claire Pignolo, completing a Bachelor’s degree in 2015 and a Master of Arts in Instrumental Pedagogy in 2017 at the University of Music Lausanne under Dagoberto Linhares. Winner of the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) Competition in 2019 and described as the “Classical Guitar Revelation 2017” by Guitar Classical Magazine, he has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and the Verbier Festival Orchestra.

Smith’s interest in contemporary music has led to collaborations with composers including Arnaud Fillion, who dedicated a Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra to him; he also teaches at the Conservatory of Morges and is the founder of the extreme metal band Stortregn.

Sources:

• https://www.siccasguitars.com/blogs/guitarists/johan-smith