Classical Guitar Magazine, a Europe-based international publication for serious guitarists, called Michael Partington one to be “welcomed without reservation.”

Kitsap fans of classical guitar would do well to take heed and welcome him to the Island Music Guild, 10598 Valley Road on Bainbridge, March 7.

A contemporary classical guitarist from England who’s earned first-prize designations at the Northwest Guitar Festival Competition and was labeled a “missionary of the classical guitar” by the Tri-Cities Guitar Society, he started playing at age 6 growing up in Wales.

He gave his first public performance at age 7, won his first competition at age 9 and has been strumming ever since.

In a life spent training with some of the world’s greatest classical guitarists (like Eliot Fisk, Eduardo Fernandez and David Russell to name a few), Partington came to Seattle in the early 1990s and quickly earned the classical community’s admiration both as a soloist and an ensemble player.

Regionally, he’s performed with the Seattle Orchestra, the Seattle Chamber Players, the Wenatchee Valley Symphony, Rainier Symphony, Seattle Symphony Chorale and the Portland State University Orchestra, and has done numerous solo performances and duos with floutist Paul Taub.

In another vein, he has also passed his knowledge onto many.

He’s currently the director of the Guitar Program at the University of Washington and he’s performed and instructed at numerous prestigious guitar festivals. He’s adjudicated local, national and international competitions including the Guitar Foundation of America competition.

So, for some assured quality guitar work, check him out at 7 p.m. March 7 at the Island Music Guild. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 students.