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Evan Williams
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Drawing from inspirations as diverse as medieval chant to contemporary pop, the music of composer and conductor Evan Williams explores the thin lines between beauty and disquieting, joy and sorrow, and simple and complex, while often tackling important social and political issues. Williams’ catalogue contains a broad range of work, from vocal and operatic offerings to instrumental works, along with electronic music.
His music has been performed and commissioned by London Philharmonic Orchestra, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Quince Ensemble, American Brass Quintet, and by the Cincinnati, Toledo, Detroit, Seattle, and National symphonies. He has received performances at festivals such as MATA, RED NOTE, the New Music Gathering, Strange Beautiful Music, SEAMUS, and the New York City Electronic Music Festival.
Williams has received awards and recognition from the American Prize, the National Federation of Music Clubs, and ASCAP, as well as fellowships from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. He served as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s inaugural classical roots composer-in-residence in 2018. From 2022 to 2025, he served as composer-in-residence for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.
Before joining the faculty at Berklee, Williams held appointments at Rhodes College (Memphis, TN), Lawrence University (Appleton, WI), and Bennington College (Bennington, VT). He has also served on the faculties at the Walden School Young Musicians Program, Connecticut Summerfest, Cortona Sessions for New Music, and Composer's Sandbox Summer Intensive.