Ticket prices:
$35 regular / member family
$25 member or student
$20 student member
Oliver Manning
Friday, October 23, 7:30 PM
Freiman Hall, University of Ottawa (610 Cumberland St.)
“Oliver enchanted the audience… coaxing a range of both delicate and vibrant sounds from his guitar.” (Peacemaker Festival)
“The audience was transported to a mythical time.” (Caerleon Arts Festival)
Welsh Classical Guitarist Oliver Manning leads a busy career as a solo concert artist in high demand.
In 2025, Oliver graduated from the Royal College of Music London, with a master’s degree in classical guitar under Gary Ryan & Chris Stell. In 2023, Oliver was selected by John Williams to become a Julian Bream Trust Scholar, supporting his postgraduate studies in London alongside support from the BBC.
In 2023, Oliver graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with First-Class Honours studying under Helen Sanderson & John Mills. During his studies, Oliver won a selection of awards and competitions including the John Mills solo guitar competition, the Orpheus voice and guitar competition, and the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales award for music.
In 2022, Oliver gave his international concert debut with a tour of Spain, performing the world premiere of ‘Farewell and Adieu’, the duo guitar concerto composed by Gerald Garcia. Since then, Oliver has continued with his mission to share new works for the guitar by commissioning four new pieces for guitar inspired by the Welsh Mabinogi tales.
Alongside performing, Oliver is a keen composer and arranger. In 2022 Oliver’s original piece “The Gondolier’s Dream” was published in the London College of Music Classical Guitar Grade 1 book.
Oliver performs on a guitar built in 2024 by the Canadian luthier Evan Kingma.
Sponsored by Knobloch strings, Oliver uses custom QZ HT strings.
Gala Concert
Saturday December 5, 7:30 PM
Huguette-Labelle Hall, Tabaret Hall (550 Cumberland St.)
Ottawa’s local guitarists come together for the OGS’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Daniel Ramjattan
Saturday January 23, 7:30 PM
Dr. Daniel Ramjattan (DMA, University of Toronto, M. Mus and B. Mus, University of Ottawa) has become an ambassador for the
classical guitar in Canada as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, teacher, and performance coach.
He has given recitals in Austria, Germany, Italy, and various locations across Canada, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan, and has received an array of top prizes in provincial and national solo guitar competitions.
His debut studio album, “Inspirations: New Works for Solo Guitar,” features his interpretation of six brilliant works by Canadian composers, including three world premiere recordings, available for streaming on all major platforms.
Daniel completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Toronto in August 2022, where he wrote his dissertation on music performance anxiety in classical guitarists, receiving a senior doctoral fellowship from New College in 2021-2022.
Daniel divides his time teaching guitar and chamber music on faculty at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Phil and Eli Taylor Academy and Oscar Peterson School.
Duo Roya
Saturday April 3, 7:30 PM
Bahar Ossareh
Praised as “charming and soulful” by Maestro David Russell and described as “a player of tremendous expressive range, who enchants listeners,” Bahar Ossareh is an Iranian-Canadian classical guitarist celebrated for her warm tone, soulful performances,
and imaginative programming.
Her repertoire draws from a rich global palette, weaving musical stories from diverse cultures. Whether rooted in European, Middle Eastern, or Latin American traditions, her selections reflect a deep artistic curiosity and connection to both heart and heritage. She is emerging as a passionate ambassador of Persian guitar music, bringing the unique voice of her homeland into the classical world.
Her debut solo album, Variations (2025), explores the theme and variations form across styles and traditions. As an active artist and instructor with the tonebase team, Bahar contributes to the world’s largest classical guitar community with international
adjudicating experience.
Adam Batstone
From St. John’s Newfoundland, Canadian guitarist Dr. Adam Batstone earned his D.M.A. from the University of Toronto in 2019. A recipient of awards from national and international guitar competitions, he has performed across North America as a soloist
and as a member of the Altius Guitar Duo.
In 2015, Batstone was selected as a CBC Young Artist and recorded a duo recital broadcast nationally. He is dedicated to expanding the guitar duo repertoire through original arrangements that explore the unique possibilities of the ensemble. His doctoral research, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jeffrey McFadden, examined non-verbal communication and spontaneous creativity in musical performance. This research continues to inform his approach to performance, where he
seeks to foster a shared sense of connection between performers and audience.
OGS Guitar Orchestra Concert
Saturday May 29, 3:00 PM
Ottawa Mennonite Church (1830 Kilborne Ave)
The OGS Guitar Orchestra, under the direction of Mélanie Hartshorn-Walton, closes off the season with a varied program of guitar ensemble music. Reception and open mic to follow.