Classical guitarist Mychal Gendron, a Rhode Island native who grew up in Gaspee Point, will give a solo performance at the Warwick Center for the Arts in Apponaug Saturday, April 13 at 1p.m.

After beginning classical guitar lessons with Hibbard Perry in Providence, where he gave his first performances as a teenager, Mychal continued his studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts and at New England Conservatory in Boston, earning degrees in Music Performance at both schools.

His performance will feature music from the European tradition for classical guitar plus newer works from Asia, Latin American countries and the U.S.

The first half of the program – Guitar in the Age of Enlightenment – traces the repertoire of the guitar from the 1500s through the middle of the 19th century, and includes Renaissance dance works, music of J.S. Bach and Classical/Romantic works from the time of Mozart and Beethoven.

The second half of the program – New Expressions for Guitar – features 20th century music from Brazil, Cuba, Japan and America plus contemporary European works for guitar. There will be a short intermission between the two program segments.

Mychal has been active as a performer, appearing solo as well as in both small and large ensembles. For many years he presented recitals with his wife, Susan Thomas, who was Principal Flute with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra for 26 years.

Mychal has toured Brazil as a soloist under the aegis of Partners of the Americas, performing in music festivals and on television in that country. He participated in chamber music recitals at the Fete di Limans in France and has performed at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. In the U.S., Mychal has presented solo guitar recitals on concert series throughout the country, including all six New England States.

In the New England area, Mychal has performed concertos with the Vermont Symphony, the Cape Ann Symphony, the RI Philharmonic Community Orchestra, the Ocean State Chamber Orchestra and the Fall River Symphony.

Local solo and ensemble performances include Blithewold Mansion and Gardens, the Lippit House Museum, the First Baptist Church in America and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, plus appearances on college concert series at Brown University, University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.

Mychal is the Chair of the Suzuki Program at the RI Philharmonic Music School and teaches guitar in that program. He is also a Teaching Associate in Classical Guitar at Brown University. Please visit www.mychalgendronguitar.com for audio files and more information.

Mychal will include information about the composers, history and culture, plus the music itself as part of his presentation. His program is dedicated to the memory of his wife, Susan Thomas, who passed away in 2021. Admission is free.