|
Jerry Willard was born in Cleveland, Ohio
and began studying the guitar with his father Jeff Willard
who was a guitarist. The guitar pedagogue Sophocles Papas
recognized his talent and invited Mr. Willard to study with
him in Washington, D.C. Subsequently he expanded his knowledge
of musical interpretation when he worked with violinist Misha
Mishakoff and cellist Warren Downs. Mr. Willard also studied
with guitarists Richard Lurie and Alirio Diaz, both of whom
influenced his musical and technical approach to the guitar.
Mr. Willard's performances have taken him to Alice Tully
Hall, Carnegie Hall in New York City, and he has concertized
extensively throughout Europe and The United States. At Mr.
Willard's New York debut, Raymond Ericson of the New York
Times said, "The recital was exemplary. Mr. Willard
took lute in hand for some pieces by Adrian LeRoy and John
Dowland and turned that normally pale-sounding predecessor
of the guitar into a brilliant and vivid instrument. Back
with the guitar, the performer played his own transcriptions
of Bach's Lute Suite in E minor and five dances from Britten's
Gloriana' plus Henze's attractive `Drei Tentos'. It was again
the clarity of Mr. Willard's playing that gave special pleasure."
Well known as an ensemble player, Mr. Willard has performed
with the Cleveland Orchestra, The New York Opera Company,
The New York Consort of Viols, Queens Chamber Band, and
the Long Island Baroque Ensemble. Mr. Willard resides in
New York City and is on the faculty of the State University
of New York at Stony Brook. He has published many transcriptions
for guitar including "The Complete Lute Music of J.S.
Bach" available through Music Sales Corp. and "Ten
Sonatas of D. Scarlatti" available through AIG Publications. |
|
|