Eric Wang
in Concert

Eric Wang is a classical guitarist based in San Jose, California. Winner of the 2026 Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Concert Artist Competition, he is recognized as one of the leading young guitarists of his generation. As winner of the Rose Augustine Grand Prize, he will embark on GFA's acclaimed concert tour in the 2027–28 season.

Eric has collaborated with a wide range of artists in both traditional and innovative ensemble settings as a chamber musician, composer, and arranger. His recent performances include collaborations with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra, the Viano String Quartet, and Stanford-based Ensemble Oh?, reflecting a broad interest in both traditional chamber music and expanding the guitar repertoire through unique ensemble settings.

Prior to winning the GFA International Concert Artist Competition, Eric received top prizes at numerous national and international competitions, including the 2024 Boston Guitar Festival Competition, the 2022 James Stroud Guitar Competition, and the 2019 Parkening International Guitar Competition (Youth Division), among others. He is the only three-time winner of a GFA competition, having won the International Youth Competition Junior Division in 2018, the Senior Division in 2020, and the International Concert Artist Competition in 2026. He was featured on NPR's From the Top in 2019, was named a 2020 National YoungArts Finalist, and was a semifinalist for the 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. He also reached the semifinals of the GFA International Concert Artist Competition in three consecutive years (2022–2024) before winning the title in 2026.

Eric began studying guitar at the age of four with Robert Miller at the California Conservatory of Music. He has participated in masterclasses and received artistic guidance from many guitar legends, including Sérgio Assad, Manuel Barrueco, Zoran Dukić, Eliot Fisk, Tilman Hoppstock, Judicaël Perroy, David Russell, Raphaella Smits, Meng Su, David Tanenbaum, Benjamin Verdery, and many others.

Eric earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Science in Physics from Stanford University in 2026. He studied primarily with pianist Stephen Prutsman, who also served as his guitar mentor in a unique environment of musical coaching. He plans to continue his studies at Stanford as a master's student in Electrical Engineering.