Sunday, May 3
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Registration Required Below
The Library’s Allen & Helen Hermes Art Series welcomes acclaimed classical guitarist Bret Williams for an intimate session of music that spans centuries and styles.
Known for his expressive playing and versatile repertoire, Bret brings the classical guitar to life with works ranging from elegant classical compositions to contemporary lyricism, delivering a performance that is both accessible and deeply engaging.
A unique opportunity to experience both moments of quiet reflection and also dazzling technical skill with a celebrated classical guitarist!
The Allen and Helen Hermes Arts Series was founded in 2003, and is funded by a generous gift the couple donated to the Mark Twain Library. The mission of the series is to enrich the quality of life in the community of Redding by producing and supporting events in the visual, literary, theater and musical arts.
About Our Performer
Bret Williams is a celebrated classical guitarist, hailed as a performer of “spectacular energy and technical resource,” and billed by Classical Guitar magazine as a “rising star in the New York classical guitar scene.”
Raised in Central California, Bret received a bachelor’s of music degree from the University of Texas at Austin under the instruction of Adam Holzman. After receiving numerous accolades, he continued his studies in New York City at the Mannes School of Music.
Soon after receiving his master’s degree, he formed La Vita Williams Guitar Duo with Giacomo La Vita and recorded 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.
In addition to his performance career, Bret is a dedicated educator and advocate for the arts. 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 has also served on the faculty as a general music teacher at the South Bronx Early College Academy.
Bret is the host of the popular interview program, Classical Guitar Insider, and The Music History Podcast.