POULSBO — The historic Port Gamble Theatre welcomes world-renowned acoustic guitarist Craig Alden Dell, a 45-year veteran of the guitar, on March 12.

The Port Gamble Theatre, which typically offers productions of plays, is hosting the unique classical and “old-style” sounds of Dell’s guitar playing for its 2016 fundraiser concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Paul Bryan, member of the theater’s board of directors, said, “This is the second show of this nature. It was close to a full house last time. This is a show that gives a little variety, and maybe they’ll come to some of our other productions too.”

Dell agreed. “I think pretty much [this] is music that most people wouldn’t hear. It should be a really good show.”

According to Dell’s online bio, he has toured extensively throughout the world. He has given two performances at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and has been a featured soloist with the Santa Fe Symphony with conductor Stewart Robertson. He has also performed with the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Wingert and Elizabeth Stoyanovich.

Dell won first place in the U.S. Invitational Guitar Competition in August 1976.

“It’s been my life all my life,” Dell said.

Dell has studied and performed Classical, Flamenco and Impressionistic, as well as Folk, Ethnic, and Progressive styles. He formally studied in the Tarrega School, and is a graduate of the Escuela Razonada de la Guitarra at the University of Barcelona under the direction of Maestro Emilio Pujol and his assistant, Hector Garcla.

An enthusiast of the classical and old style sounds of guitar Dell said, “All my life I’ve played 6-string guitar and I’ve fantasized about playing the 10-string guitar.” In 2008, Dell had a custom 10-string guitar made.

“I have always wanted to hear music the way is was written,” Dell said. “Those composers that wrote those rich harmonic voices simultaneously in context with the way that they were written.”

That’s what audience members will hear during the show.

Craig also studied flamenco guitar from El Sarasate and has also performed for and studied technique from the legendary Sabicas.

In the Classic style, he studied guitar with Christopher Parkening in 1976, and received personal career guidance from Maestro Segovia when they met in the late 1960s.

Dell underwent surgeries on his left hand in 2007, which limited his concert performances while he recovered. He currently teaches classical guitar at Olympic College in Bremerton and he has resumed concert performers worldwide.

“I’m just getting back into doing concerts again,” he said.

When asked if he was nervous, he explained, “Generally, yes, but I expect it. My draw is the adrenaline of it. This is going to be a whole new group of people and the acoustics [in the Port Gamble Theatre] are awesome. The people coming will make for a good evening, for sure.”

Bryan said his relationship with Dell dates far back. He said they reconnected and began discussing the idea of a concert.

“I don’t remember exactly who said it, but we decided to do it,” Bryan explained.

Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door on the night of the show or online at brown paper tickets. Wine and beer are also available for purchase at the show.

Proceeds will benefit the Port Gamble Theatre, a 501 (c)3 organization. Call 360-779-7135 or visit www.portgambletheatre.com for further details.

“We hold ourselves to be a teaching type of theater,” Bryan said. “We welcome children of all ages and experience levels.”