In 1994, he received a full Canada Council artist grant to study with the Cuban guitarist/composer Leo Brouwer in Córdoba, Spain.
Gordon O'Brien began studying the guitar with Eli Kassner at the age of eight.
At age eleven, O'Brien played with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Massey Hall under conductor Andrew Davis.
He has since performend in the United States, France, England, Australia, New Zealand, China and Martinique.
In addition to classical guitar, O'Brien writes and produces songs for a wide range of genres in both Canada and the United States.