Described as “iconoclastic” and “inventive” by The New York Times and “one of the classical guitar world’s foremost personalities” by Classical Guitar magazine, Benjamin Verdery enjoys an innovative and eclectic musical career. Since 1980, he has performed worldwide in theatres and at festivals; recorded and performed with such diverse artists as Andy Summers, Jessye Norman, Paco Peña and John Williams; and released over 15 albums.

LAHAINA – Renowned guitarist Benjamin Verdery is bringing his annual guitar master class to Maui, with a week of concerts and classes on July 5-14.

Verdery is the chair of the guitar department at the Yale School of Music. This is the 17th year that he has held a guitar master class here.

Over that time, over 140 guitarists have come from across the United States and around the world to Maui to study with Verdery. Many of them have returned several times.

The class includes one-on-one instruction not only with Verdery but also with world-famous guest teachers, including this year David Leisner, an acclaimed performer/composer and faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music.

The class also includes the performance of ensemble music, with the 15 to 20 guitarists in the class performing as a guitar orchestra.

Come “Meet the Artists” at Lahaina Arts Society. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., local artists will be demonstrating in LAS’ Banyan Tree Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Next week, you can talk story with painter Koana Smith on Tuesday, July 5. Bring your friends and family to see how the magic is created by this local artist. For more information, call LAS at 661-0111 or visit www.lahainaarts.com.

On Tuesday, July 5, at 7 p.m. at Makawao Union Church, 1445 Baldwin Avenue, Verdery, Leisner, Ian O’Sullivan and Simon Powis will perform a special concert to open the week. The suggested donation is $10, with proceeds to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui, Makawao Clubhouse.

On Friday, July 8, at noon in the University of Hawaii Maui College Science Building, Oahu-based guitarists O’Sullivan and Stephen Kane, and young San Francisco guitarists Nicholas and Conor Padmanabhan, will perform a free concert.

On Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 8992 Kula Highway, advanced class participants John Olson, Gioia De Cari and John Bogan will perform a free concert of music by Leisner, Ponce, Johanson and Legnani.

On Tuesday, July 12, at 7 p.m. at Lahaina Jodo Mission at 12 Ala Moana St., class participants will perform a free concert, featuring solo performances and pieces for guitar orchestra.

And on Wednesday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at Keawalai Congregational Church at 5300 Makena Road, class participants will perform a free concert with solo performances and pieces for guitar orchestra.

For more information, visit benverderymauiclass.com or contact John Olson at “mailto:verderyclass@gmail.com”>verderyclass@gmail.com.