BIOGRAPHY
Raised in Central California, Mr. Williams studied with Terry Mills from the University of the Pacific. He went on to receive his Bachelors of Music from the University of Texas at Austin while under the instruction of Adam Holzman. After receiving numerous accolades, he continued his studies in New York City at the Mannes School. There he worked with Fred Hand, Michael Newman, and Terry Chaplain. Following a robust concert schedule and multiple recordings, he was diagnosed with focal dystonia, restricting movement in the right hand, in 2012. He continues to work with professionals and colleagues on the issue, and since has developed a new style of playing and composition for the instrument.
Soon after receiving his Masters Degree, he formed La Vita Williams Guitar Duo with Giacomo La Vita. He went on to record an album featuring various compositions for solo guitar and another featuring works he wrote for quartet (clarinet, violin, guitar, bass). His most recent release is Three Compositions.
Notable concert appearances include the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, St. Peter’s Church, The Riverside Church, the Shandelee Music Festival, and the Mannes Guitar Symposium. He has taught at Concordia College, Lucy Moses School, The School at Columbia University, Hostos Community College, Turtle Bay Music School, and has been instructing at Rodeph Sholom School for fourteen years. He served on faculty as a general music teacher at the South Bronx Early College Academy.
Bret was awarded a sponsorship by D’Addario, who’s strings he proudly uses. He is also sponsored by SavageClassical.com and nkoda.com. He is the host of the popular interview program, Classical Guitar Insider, and the Music History Podcast.