The Journey
A Life Shaped by Music
Wissam Abboud is a Lebanese/Canadian classical guitarist, composer, and educator based in Ottawa, Canada. Growing up in a culture where music is woven into daily life, his early fascination with the guitar led to a lifelong dedication to the instrument. Today, his multifaceted career spans international performances, extensive teaching, and the authorship of over 20 music publications.
He brings a rigorous academic background to his craft, holding a Master of Arts in Music and a Bachelor's in Musicology from Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Guitar Performance, alongside diplomas in Theoretical Studies and Sight Singing, from the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music. Over the years, he has honed his skills under the mentorship of esteemed musicians including Jean Beujekian, Roy Abboud, Rafael Andia, and Susan McDonald.
Beyond the concert stage, Wissam has made a significant mark in music publishing and education. In 2014, he released his first book, Acoustic Duo, an instrumental songbook composed alongside Roy Abboud. He later channeled his teaching philosophy into the Classical Guitar Method, a comprehensive six-volume series. This work caught the attention of the prestigious Mel Bay Publications Inc., resulting in the internationally distributed Mastering the Classical Guitar series in 2018. Wissam is also a professional music engraver and the founder of Music Notation Hub, a company dedicated to high-quality transcription and notation services.
Both in the classroom and within the broader music community, Wissam remains a highly active presence. He has served as an instructor of Guitar, Theory, Sight Singing, and Music Appreciation at the School of Music of Antonine and NDU. In 2018, he joined the NDU School of Music curriculum committee, helping develop modern programs and theory workbooks for the university. Additionally, alongside his instrumental work, Wissam has a strong background in choral music. Since 2014, he has sung as a member of the prestigious NDU Choir under the direction of Fr. Khalil Rahmeh, participating in numerous events and festivals across Lebanon, Italy, and France, including the Al-Bustan Festival, Beirut Chants, the Olbia International Festival (Italy), the Lebanese International Choir Festival, and the Cedars International Festival, with performances in Paris and Palermo.
