Ben Chapman is a classical guitar instructor currently residing in Lake Orion, Michigan. He graduated from Wayne State University in 2022 with a bachelor of music (with honors) with a concentration in classical guitar performance. In his time at Wayne State, he studied classical guitar with Professor Brian Roberts. While in Roberts’s studio, Chapman had the opportunity to play the music of composers from a variety of musical periods including Baroque (J. S. Bach), Classical (Ferdinando Carulli and Matteo Carcassi), and modern (Agustin Barrios, Manuel Ponce, and Jose Luis Merlin). Chapman also studied some of Roberts’s compositions, and, working with Roberts, completed his own composition project (titled “Celebration”) of a piece in rounded binary form, which he played on both of his recitals. For his master’s degree, Chapman continues his studies with Roberts.  

Chapman’s education also includes a Suzuki certification to teach guitar books one and two. For both training courses, he studied under MaryLou Roberts, ISA Committee Chair and the Director of the Ann Arbor Suzuki Guitar Institute. Drawing on his Suzuki training and studies with Brian Roberts, he aims to provide his students with a fundamental technique, which they may use to successfully play and pursue the music that inspires them.

In addition to playing classical guitar, Chapman sings bass/baritone and studies voice with Dr. Jonathan Lasch at Wayne State, focusing study on vocal fundamentals. Chapman also sang in Wayne State’s choral ensembles, the Choral Union and the Concert Chorale, first under Dr. Alex Sutton and then under Dr. Brandon Waddles.  

Outside of the university, Chapman plays guitar and sings for the worship team of his Lake Orion church, Bethany Pentecost Tabernacle. He also contributes to his church by assisting with the sound system, recording sermons, and managing the church website, tasks made easier with the music technology minor that he earned from Wayne State. In the past, he has worked in the children’s ministry at his church, playing music and helping in other areas of the program. In addition, he has played and sang music for funerals and at retirement homes. He has also taken part in volunteer work, like serving at Glorious Freedom Ministries (a mission in Detroit that works to feed the homeless and educate Detroit’s youth).