Photo by Ebru Yildiz
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Acclaimed acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams will perform at McCarter Theatre Center on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Williams is known for her unorthodox and expansive approach to the guitar. Inspired by artists ranging from Chuck Brown to Jimi Hendrix, she began developing her distinctive technique while studying music theory and composition at NYU. Incorporating alternate tunings, percussive elements, lap tapping, and even playing kalimba and guitar simultaneously, Williams expands the sonic possibilities of the acoustic instrument. She often integrates kora, harp guitar, and banjo into her work.
Her "radiant sound and adventitious origins have made her a key figure in a diverse dawn for the solo guitar," wrote The New York Times. NPR Music has observed that "the joy and possibility she brings to the guitar reminds me more of Eddie Van Halen than any of the other fingerstyle guitarists to whom she's compared."
In 2026, the International Folk Music Awards recognized Williams' impact, stating: "Through her boundary-pushing artistry and principled activism, Yasmin Williams stands as one of contemporary music's most visionary and courageous voices, fully embodying the values and ideals of the folk community."
Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling Patron Services at 609-258-2787. McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.
McCarter is one of the country’s flagship theaters and a vibrant center for community and the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub for arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.
A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence dates back to its first performances in 1930. Our Town, You Can’t Take It with You, and Bus Stop all premiered at McCarter, paving the way for a long history of launching remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances worldwide.
The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock. Of the 100,000 community members who engage with McCarter each year, more than 5,000 are students participating in educational programs in Princeton, Trenton, and schools across the region. McCarter leads with values of justice, joy, and beauty in belonging—creating a space where artists and audiences can come together to celebrate the power of live performance.
