CGC Academy · Your Online School for Classical Guitar
Know exactly what to practice next
One clear path from your first note to the masterpieces. World-class teaching, personal feedback, and the friendliest community on the internet.
30-day money-back guarantee. No risk, every reason.
Does this sound like you?
My practice is random. I jump from one YouTube video to the next, and I am not really improving.
The self-taught guitarist
I played years ago and I am finally getting back into it. I just do not know where to start again.
The returning player
I can play, but I have bad habits. I want to move beyond tab and really read music.
The plateaued intermediate
These are the exact words guitarists use when they find us. The problem is never dedication. It is the lack of a path. That is the problem the Academy was built to solve.
How It Works
Three steps to real progress
Find your starting Grade
Begin with the Fundamentals or use the self-assessments to place yourself. Beginners, returners, and self-taught players all have a clear entry point.
Follow your path
The Cornerstone Method lays out every lesson, piece, and exercise in order. Open the Academy, see your next lesson, and practice with purpose.
Play for real people
Seminars, open mics, Coaching Calls, and exams give you feedback and celebration at every stage. You are never practicing into the void.
The Cornerstone Method
One path, eight Grades
A modern progressive method used by teachers, schools, and students around the world. Every Grade has clear goals, carefully selected repertoire, and optional exams with personal feedback.
- FFundamentals
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8Advanced
Inside the Academy
Video lessons, sheet music downloads, play-along tracks, theory, duets, and over 40 scale and arpeggio lessons. Fifteen years of development, organized so you never have to wonder what comes next.
Personal Feedback
You will never practice into the void
Ask our members what they value most and you will hear the same answer again and again: the community, and the feedback. Five ways to get eyes and ears on your actual playing:
- Coaching Calls: weekly one-to-one sessions with world-class faculty. So popular that registration occasionally closes.
- Performance Seminars & Open Mic: play for a friendly room every other weekend.
- Grade Exams: optional, twice a year, with detailed written feedback and a certificate.
- Progress Journals: watch your own transformation, cheered on by fellow members.
- Member Challenges: seasonal three-to-four-week focus sprints, as a group.
Real Members, Real Progress
Hear the difference for yourself
Recorded when they joined, and again after studying inside the Academy. Press play; no leaving the page.
“After years of focusing on acoustic pop and fingerstyle guitar, I began studying classical guitar in my 40’s. However, because of my schedule, lessons were infrequent and mostly focused on learning repertoire. I often dreamed of attending a music school to study a graded curriculum. That dream came true upon finding Classical Guitar Corner Academy.”
Donna Z., CGC Member
“Finding this site has been one of the great joys in my life.”
Barry, CGC Member
“I am thankful for the opportunity to share this journey with so many of you. I take inspiration from your videos, your questions, your performances, and your solutions.”
Robert G., CGC Member
Hear from CGC members
Members from around the world on what the Academy has meant to their playing.
Meet Your Teacher
Dr. Simon Powis
I am a guitarist just like you. I hold a doctorate from Yale, I have performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and I maintain an active performance career. I say this only so you know the teaching here is backed by real experience.
I teach the entire curriculum myself. If you have come across my YouTube lessons and you like the way I teach, you will feel at home here. And you will study alongside guest masterclasses from Andrew York, René Izquierdo, Gohar Vardanyan, Benjamin Verdery (Yale), Fred Hand (Mannes), and more.
“Simon Powis is the rare combination of a virtuoso guitarist and a thoughtful, forward thinking pedagogue.”Ben Verdery, Yale University
“One of the most widely respected sites of its kind.”Acoustic Guitar Magazine
In their own words
“Like many people have said, it’s the structure. It’s the curriculum, the way the lessons are laid out, supported by the live sessions and the community of people who offer comments and insights.”
CGC Member, live feedback session“I was prepared for the experience to be an utter waste of time and money. I could not have been more WRONG.”
Cheryl Ann, CGC Member“I am now 56 years young and it took a lot of trial and error, jumping from one YouTube channel to the next without any clear path, until I came upon Classical Guitar Corner!”
Chris, CGC Member“I am very pleased that I can now read a sheet of music without having to stop and pencil in the notes! The structure of the course really helped me to do this.”
Michael Mallen, CGC Member“After four years of study with the Academy, I passed my Grade 6 exam with really great results! I learned to play pieces beyond anything I imagined I would be able to play.”
Kari C., CGC Member“Would it be worth joining? I really didn’t know. That was four years ago. I can’t imagine not being a member. Nope. Can’t imagine it.”
Helen S., CGC Member“Coaching calls, performance seminars, member challenges, open mics, summer school. All have served to take my playing to a level I never thought possible.”
Mark C., CGC Member“This is the best online guitar course: a good structured curriculum, terrific instructors, open mics, a summer school and a very supportive community.”
Laura Heid, CGC MemberIs the Academy right for you?
Not everything is for everyone, and we would rather you know before you join.
The Academy is for you if…
- You are an adult learner. Most members are 40 and over, some well into their 80s.
- You are a complete beginner, a returning player, or a self-taught guitarist who wants structure.
- You cannot read music yet. We teach you from the very first Grade.
- You want feedback on your actual playing, not just videos to watch.
- You value a kind, non-competitive community. We celebrate every milestone, including playing for someone for the very first time.
It is probably not for you if…
- You are looking for shortcuts or quick hacks. Real progress takes regular, guided practice.
- You mainly want electric or strumming styles. We are a classical guitar school through and through.
- You prefer to browse scattered lessons rather than follow a path. The structure is the point.
Choose your membership
The equivalent in private one-to-one lessons would run well into the thousands each year. Membership gives you the full curriculum, the community, and personal feedback for a fraction of that. And it is backed by a simple promise: if the Academy is not for you, tell us within 30 days and we will refund you in full.
Quarterly
- Full Curriculum Access
- All Downloads
- Live Performance Seminars
- Member Challenges
Annual
- Everything in Quarterly, plus:
- $291 Annual Discount
- Guest Masterclass Series
Annual with Coaching
- Full Annual Membership, plus:
- Weekly one-to-one Coaching Calls
- Faculty: Simon Powis, David Belcher, Niki Todesco, James Erickson, Sanja Plohl
Memberships are never discounted and there are no sales. I want to be fair to paying members, and I believe the rates already represent exceptional value. Refunds are available within the first 30 days of purchase only.
Common questions
I am an adult learner. Are there people my age here?
I am a complete beginner. Is this for me?
I can’t read music. Will that be a problem?
I am not a beginner but I have bad habits. Where do I start?
I have a private teacher. Will the Academy still help?
Are the Grade Exams required?
Which membership should I pick?
Do memberships auto-renew? Can I cancel?
Do you ever run discounts?
How does the 30 Day Guarantee work?
A note from Simon
I built this school for guitarists like you and me: people who love this instrument and want a clear, enjoyable way to get better at it.
We celebrate music here. We do not make it competitive or judgmental, because everyone is on their own journey. Whether your next milestone is playing in front of someone for the first time or finishing a piece beginning to end, it will be celebrated.
Not everything is for everyone. If something is holding you back, write to me; I read every email personally and I would love to hear from you. And if you are ready, I do hope you join us.
Your online guitar teacher,
Simon
Your path is waiting
Instant access to the full curriculum, the community, and every way to get feedback. Backed by the 30-day guarantee.
Choose Your Membership