Meet Ben Woolman
Acclaimed Fingerstyle Guitarist with Global Reach
Ben Woolman is an accomplished fingerstyle guitarist, composer, instructor, and performer, recognized as part of Minnesota’s renowned lineage of acoustic guitarists. His music is broadcast worldwide - across cable, internet, and terrestrial radio - in more than 50 countries on six continents.
Ben’s recordings appear on SiriusXM, Minnesota Public Radio, National Public Radio, and other major outlets, earning more than 40 million streams on Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, YouTube and Apple Music.
Live Performances, Touring & the Fingerstyle Guitar Tradition
For over two decades, Ben has toured throughout the United States, offering audiences a distinctive and engaging concert experience. His performances - like his recordings - blend original fingerstyle compositions with inventive arrangements spanning repertoire from the 1920s to the present day. Each concert reflects both a deep respect for the history of fingerstyle guitar and a fresh, contemporary representation of the art form.
Recordings, Film Features & Critical Praise
Ben’s original compositions have appeared in multiple film soundtracks, and he has released 12 solo and compilation recordings. His work has earned praise from leading acoustic music publications, including Acoustic Guitar Magazine and Vintage Guitar Magazine.
He has served on the board of the Minnesota Guitar Society and holds a BFA in Guitar Performance with honors from the University of Wisconsin/Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Cooperative Guitar Program in Milwaukee.
Writing, Publications & Contributions to the Guitar Community
Beyond performance, Ben is an active contributor to the broader guitar world. He has written for Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and Guitar Teacher Magazine, and has been featured in Europe’s premier acoustic publication Akustik Gitarre.
He was also a contributing instructor and author for Acoustic Guitar Licks Goldmine, a DVD series published by Hal Leonard Corporation, the world’s largest music print publisher.
Collaborative Projects & Award‑Winning Work
As half of the instrumental New Roots Duo, Ben helped create the album Roots Run Deep, which was named “Best Local Folk/Roots Album of the Year” by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
Guitar Instruction & Music Education in Minnesota
A dedicated and versatile educator, Ben has taught at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Waukesha County Technical College, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee hosted student workshops and the St. Paul School of Music. He currently teaches fingerstyle guitar students of all levels from his home studio in Minnesota.
Discography
Daybreak, Floating Feather Music 2024
In Two Parts, Floating Feather Music 2022
Red, Green and a Little Blue - A Holiday Guitar Collection, Floating Feather Music 2018
Many Moods, Floating Feather Music 2010
New Roots Duo: Roots Run Deep, Peacefire Productions 2008
Tis The Season: Classical Guitar, Compass Productions 2004
Wisdom / Delusion, Floating Feather Music 2003
Guitar Fingerstyle 2: A Narada Collection, Narada Productions 2001
Lifescapes: Solo Guitar, Compass Productions 2000
American Fingerstyle Guitar Circa 1999, Peacefire Productions 1999
Stratovox, Floating Feather Music 1997
Guitar Fingerstyle: A Narada Collection, Narada Media 1996
Lost In Density, Floating Feather Music 1995
Soundtracks
WolfQuest, 3D wildlife simulation video game, Eduweb 2020 - present
Take A Seat, a biking adventure docuseries, NBC-Universal 2012
Publications
John Williams for Fingerstyle Guitar, Book/CD, Hal Leonard 2014
Acoustic Guitar Licks Goldmine Series, DVD, Hal Leonard 2011
