Lee University will welcome guitarist Pablo Villegas to teach a masterclass on Tuesday, March 15 from 3-4 p.m. in Squires Recital Hall.

The masterclass is a cooperative opportunity with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO). Villegas will also perform with the CSO as part of the Barnett and Company Masterwork Series on Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Villegas is hailed by critics as one of the world’s leading classical guitarists and celebrated as a natural ambassador of Spanish culture. He has performed in more than 40 countries since his debut with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall.

According to the New York Times, his sound is a “beautifully rounded guitar tone” and a “soulful rendition” that makes him one of the most sought-after soloists by today’s foremost orchestras, conductors, and festivals. Villegas has performed for the Dalai Lama as well as for the royal family of Spain and is the ambassador to the Vivanco Foundation.

Villegas has appeared in venues such as the Philharmonic in Berlin, Carnegie Hall in New York, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Sala Verdi in Milan, and the Vienna Musikverein.

A recipient of numerous awards, Villegas is the first guitarist to ever win Spain’s top classical music honor. Prior to winning the Parkening International Guitar Competition, he received more than 30 international awards, including the Francisco Tarrega Award and the Andres Segovia Award at age 15.

Known for his outreach programs, Villegas is the founder of “The Music Without Borders Legacy,” a program sponsored by Caixa Bank that seeks to bridge communities across cultural, social, and political borders for the benefit of children and youth, which has served more than 15,000 children.

Villegas was born in La Rioja, Spain, and is currently based in New York City.

The masterclass is a free, non-ticketed event for all who would like to attend.

For more information about Villegas, visit his site, Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.

For more information on the masterclass or other School of Music events, contact (423) 614-8240.