Internationally-known guitarist David Burgess of New York presents a program of Spanish- and Latin American-inspired music at the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater Thursday, Jan. 15, at 501 Main St. The Columbus Arts Council event begins at 7 p.m.

Burgess has won top honors in music contests around the world, including the Ponce International Competition in Mexico City, the Guitar ’81 Competition in Toronto, Canada, and the 31st International Music Competition in Munich, Germany. He is also a past winner of the Andres Segovia Fellowship Competition in New York City.

His style has been described as “flashy, crisp, exciting and incendiary” by CD Now. A reviewer for Fanfare magazine wrote, “He has technique to burn and an exciting style.”

Appearances as soloist and chamber musician have taken Burgess to concert halls throughout North and South America, Europe and the Far East. As an orchestral soloist, he has been featured with groups including the Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York and the American Chamber Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

“We’re happy to welcome such a gifted artist to the Golden Triangle,” said Tina Sweeten-Lunsford, executive director of the Columbus Arts Council. “His music will help set the tone for The Big Read, which officially kicks off Jan. 17 and incorporates elements of South American culture.” The Big Read, a community-wide read with events from January into March, centers around Thornton Wilder’s novel “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” set in Peru.

Burgess began his study of guitar at the Estudio de Arte Guitarristico in Mexico City with noted Argentine guitarist Manuel Lopez Ramos. He later studied periodically with Spanish maestro Andres Segovia. He holds a degree in music from the University of Washington and earned a Diploma di Merito while on full scholarship at the Academia Musicale Chigiana in Italy. He is a former guitar instructor at the University of Washington and the Cornish Institute of the Arts.

Burgess has recorded for the Musical Heritage Society, Tritone, Athena and Camerata Records and also recorded with the Philharmonia Virtuosi on the CBS Masterworks label.

Check out performance videos at latinguitar.com, columbus-arts.org or on YouTube.

Tickets are $10 in advance at the arts center, or $12 at the door. Seating is limited. For tickets or more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787. The arts center is closed on Mondays.

Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.