2026 Live Adjudicators

Mariette Stephenson is a versatile classical guitarist celebrated for her  performances as a soloist and chamber musician. She has premiered works by 
renowned composers including William Beauvais, Patrick Power, Boyd McDonald,  Glenn Buhr, Ivana Jokic, Andrzej Tereskowski, Alfred Kunz, Hannah Nicoletta,  Michael Occhipinti, and Jonatas Batista-Neto. 

Her chamber music collaborations include performances with sopranos Katalin  Puscas and Brooke Dufton, flutist Stephanie Pesant, shakuhachi player Bonchiku  Hoshi, and organist Tom Fitches. As part of Duo Calixa with flutist Kelly Williamson, Mariette recorded the acclaimed CD Caminos. She is also a member of the Ekleipsis Guitar Trio and recently released a recording of her solo guitar arrangements of music by Frank Horvat. 

Mariette studied under Dr. Jeffrey McFadden, earning a B.Mus from McMaster University and an ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She completed her Master of Music (Performance) at the University of Toronto, where she received the Eli Kassner Guitar Scholarship, a University of Toronto Fellowship, and multiple Bernice Adams Memorial Bursaries. 

Currently, Mariette serves as Music Director for the Kitchener-Waterloo Guitar Orchestra and lectures on guitar at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo. She is also known for her engaging lectures on the history of women’s contributions to guitar orchestras. Her guitar arrangements are available through Strings By Mail, Sheet Music Plus, and the Austin Guitar Curriculum. 

Mariette co-hosts the Classical Guitar Heroines Podcast, where she continues to celebrate the artistry and contributions of women in classical guitar.