Sweetwater’s Moneta Theatre presents Muriel Anderson, on Thursday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m. 

Widely respected as one of the foremost fingerstyle guitarists in the world, Muriel Anderson’s unique approach to the instrument virtually transforms the guitar into a lyrical choir, then a marching band, then a Japanese koto, then a Bluegrass band, amazing audiences with her technique and endearing them with her sense of humor. One minute launching into a Beatles tune and the next, Chopin’s Minute Waltz, her facility across the genres of folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass and international music is revered by guitarists worldwide.  

Muriel Anderson is the first woman to have won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. She is host of the renowned “Muriel Anderson’s ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT®” and founder of the Music for Life Alliance charity. Her music spans the globe in styles, unified by an honest humanity and superb artistry. Touring in the USA and internationally year round, her music brings smiles and promotes understanding worldwide, with performances including the Olympia in Paris, Music Fair in Yokohama Japan, and the American Embassy in Malaysia. 

Muriel Anderson was raised in a musical family in Downers Grove, Ill. Her mother taught piano and her grandfather had played saxophone in John Philip Sousa’s band. Her mother often played a piano ragtime standard called “Nola,” so Muriel learned it on her guitar. Years later, she took that song to the National Guitar Picking Championships and became the first nylon-string guitarist and first female guitarist to win. She is still the only woman to hold the title. Muriel fell in love with the guitar at an early age and learned every style available to her, culminating in classical guitar study with Leon Borkowski at DePaul University. 

She went on to study with classical virtuoso Christopher Parkening and with Nashville legend Chet Atkins. She has composed music since about age 6, and has written music for guitar and strings as well as songs, solo compositions, and even choral and orchestral works. 

As one of the country’s foremost fingerstyle guitarists, her facility across the genres of folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass and international music is revered by guitarists worldwide. She is often hailed as ambassador for her country on her international tours, as she always reaches out in each country she visits, sharing her love of the music and of people, and taking interest in their language and customs. 

“You won’t want to miss this one,” comments Jack Cox, Moneta Theatre owner.  “Muriel has to be one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world.” 

Tickets for the show are $15 in advance and $17 the day of the show. Seating will be concert-style and are first-come, first-served. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are available at Hunter’s Bakery and Café, also in Downtown Sweetwater, or by calling 351-1098.