The Gardner-Webb University Department of Fine Arts welcomes Mary Akerman and Robert Teixeira, distinguished artists and award winning guitarists for its latest concert on Tuesday, March 20, 8:00 pm at Blanton Auditorium located in Hamrick Hall.

Teixeria and Akerman work as a guitar duo and will be performing musical selections by Scarlatti, Albeniz, Brahms, Rossini, and Morel to name just a few, with arrangement by Teixeira and others during the event.

Chairperson for the Gardner-Webb Department of Fine Arts, Dr. Patricia Sparti says the credentials and accomplishments of Teixeira are numerous.  “He (Teixeira) first gained recognition as one of twelve guitarists selected to perform at the Guitar Foundation of America’s 1987 International Festival.  Since then he has become a dedicated and renowned teacher and enjoys performing throughout the Carolinas as a soloist and chamber musician,” said Sparti.  

Teixeira received his Master of Music Degree from Florida State University in 1989 and has studied with world-renowned pedagogue, Aaron Shearer.  Teixeira’s resume includes serving as Professor of Guitar at Gardner-Webb, a regular performer with the “Moving Poets,” working with the Charlotte Symphony, and a member of “Without Borders,” a Charlotte-based group specializing in World Music.

Akerman received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and postgraduate studies in performance at Florida State University.  In addition to giving solo concerts throughout the United States and internationally, Akerman has performed with the Atlanta Symphony, recorded with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Festival Singers, and has played on National Public Radio’s “In Performance Today” program.  She currently makes her home in Atlanta and teaches classical guitar at Kennesaw State.

Dr. Sparti says Akerman has received honors not only within the U.S., “Mary was not only a first place winner in the Guitar Foundation of America Competition, but also finished first in the Casa de Espana of Puerto Rico Competition and was awarded the bronze medal in Concours International Radio France.”  

This event is free and open to the public with a good will offering being accepted. For more information about this event call
704-406-4488.