Rovshan Mamedkuliev may still be a graduate student, but he's already drawn praise for his "bright artistry." Critics have noted his "excellent ear, tenacious memory" and "developed sense of rhythm and form."

On Friday, Jan. 10, the classical guitarist from Azerbaijan performs on the Portland Classic Guitar series.

As a result of winning the 2012 International Concert Artist Competition sponsored by the Guitar Foundation of America, Mamedkuliev is playing a tour of 50 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the 2013-2014 season. He has also performed in the Russian Federation, Spain, France and Germany. Last year, he played in Carnegie Hall. He's in graduate school at Nizhny Novgorod Conservatoire in western Russia.  

8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, Wiegand Hall, Marylhurst University, 17600 Pacific Highway, south of Lake Oswego; tickets: portlandclassicguitar.com