Amir Houshangi, a distinguished classical guitarist and dedicated educator, embarked on his musical journey at the age of eleven, inspired by the legendary English guitarist Julian Bream. Since then, Amir has nurtured an unwavering passion for both classical guitar and lute music.
His impressive academic achievements include a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from The Art University of Tehran, a Master of Music in Solo Performance from The Royal Northern College of Music, an Advanced Certificate in Performance from the University of Toronto, and the pinnacle of his musical education, a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Montreal, where his thesis focused on Baroque guitar music. This specialization has made Amir not only a master of classical guitar but also a knowledgeable and skilled performer of Baroque guitar.
Amir's mastery of the classical guitar has been honed through rigorous study under the tutelage of notable mentors, including Gordon Crosskey, Craig Ogden, Dr. Jeffrey McFadden, and Dr. Andre Rodrigues. He has further enriched his artistry by attending masterclasses with luminaries like Dr. Lily Afshar, Julian Byzantine, Paul Galbraith, Mark Eden, Chris Stell, David Leisner, David Russell, Pepe Romero, and numerous other renowned artists.
As a seasoned concert artist, Amir made his debut in 2005 in Iran
and has since graced stages in various countries, including the United Kingdom, Iran, and Canada, captivating audiences with his extraordinary talent and profound musicality.
Beyond his remarkable performance career, Amir's deep-seated passion for education and pedagogy has driven him to invest a substantial portion of his time in teaching and conducting music research projects. He has served as a Music Theory & Classical Guitar Instructor at the University of Montreal (École LUMI), a Music Theory/History Instructor and Classical Guitar Instructor at Harmony Academy of Music, and a Classical Guitar Instructor at the Wilton Academy of Music. His teaching experience also includes roles as an Ensemble, Music Theory, Guitar History & Classical Guitar Instructor at the University of Art, and a Music Lecturer at the Tehran National Conservatory.
Amir's academic and professional excellence has been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including the Excellency Award from the University of Montreal, the University of Toronto Entrance Award and Scholarship, and the prestigious International Students Award from the Royal Northern College of Music. He has also been a Jury Member of the Fadjr International Music Competition and the recipient of the Music Student Prize for Excellence from the University of Art in Iran.