Hi! I'm Eric Hamilton and I have a lifetime's worth of experience playing and teaching the guitar. I've toured North America since the 1970s enjoying a multifaceted career as both a soloist and ensemble performer, recording artist, musical arranger, teacher, and industry-endorsed stringed instrument technician. You can read a few of the nice things people have been kind enough to say about my work at the end of this intro..

Currently, I teach guitar programs in San Francisco at the Cathedral School for Boys (Grace Cathedral), Katherine Delmar Burke School for Girls, The French American International School, and in Oakland, beginning guitar classes and Guitar and Rock Ensemble at the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts (COVA), Golden Gate Academy. I also accept private students by appointment where I teach you from the comfort of your own home.

From 2005 - 08 I directed the San Francisco-based teen rock band 'Free Lunch.' In 2006, Free Lunch kicked off a major fundraising program, "Free Lunch for African Kids" in San Francisco. Their goal, to provide medical aid and supplies, school supplies, and food directly to two orphanages in Zambia (2006) and Uganda (2007). A month-long journey to Kenya and Uganda by several Free Lunch members took place in August, 2007.

From 1994 - 2004, I collaborated extensively with composer, guitarist and triple-Grammy winner, Mason Williams, (Classical Gas -1968). Together we've produced four commercial CDs: Classical Gas – the Music of Mason Williams (Warner Bros. music 2002), EP 2003 - Music for the Epicurean Harkener (Skookem records 2004), Eric Hamilton plays Mason Williams – Music for Guitar and Orchestra (erichamiltonmusic 2005) and Music from the Great Hall (erichamiltonmusic 1999).

In 2006, I released the solo guitar recording, The Renaissance Guitar (erichamiltonmusic 2006) featuring the music of John Dowland and Luis Milan and just a few months ago, in October of 2008, I released a CD of music from a concert I played in Berkeley CA entitled "Alive." This recording features music by Dowland, Bach, Villa-Lobos, Torroba and others.

My music reaches global audiences daily on podcast via http://freeworldradio.com and I'm featured regularly on www.ArtistLaunch.com, where fans nominated me Guitarist of the Year in 2004. I've attended master classes with some of the finest classical guitarists in the world, including Christopher Parkening at Montana State University and Roland Dyens, professor of guitar at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris.

I make my home in beautiful San Francisco, performing and teaching throughout the Bay Area. In addition to my performance work, I have acted as concert manager for the San Francisco Lyric Chorus, and have worked as a restoration crew-member with world-class pipe organ curator, Edward Millington Stout, III. I also arrange and transcribe music and accept private students from all over the Bay Area.

“Eric, We are so grateful for the instruction and inspiration you've given Zoe - she was ready to give up several times and is so glad she didn't!
Both my brothers were at the concert and were so impressed with the duet, and of course, your amazing accompanying throughout the concert. Zoe is so fortunate to be able to take instruction from such a talented musician!” Melissa and Zoe” San Francisco CA

“Dearest Eric: Thank you so much for coming to make my day very special. It was...incredible... The music was so beautifully done... all of my favorite pieces. I know our audience, my colleagues and friends loved it, because they've told me over and over. Thank you again for sharing your talent with my friends. Love, Helene””

…I played your recording of "Classical Gas" from "Music From the Great Hall" for a friend who has had classical training and been playing for 30 years. He smiled, took the CD out of the player, and stuck it in his bag. He told me, "This guy is so good that he doesn't need to dominate the recording, even though his name is on the cover. This is all about the music". I just got the recording back after a year. Keep playing.” Gary – Detroit MI

"Hi Eric, Everyone was delighted by your performance in the Home Gallery June 1st... Thank you for your marvelous performance. I don't think our guests were prepared for something so wonderful.” -Sally - Downriver Council for the Arts. SE Michigan

“…thank you for all the great instruction I received… The correction on 'Leyenda (Asturias)' was enlightening... I also thoroughly enjoyed 'Music from the Great Hall'. I thought your (guitar) synth work was amazing and the rendition of 'El Testamen de n'Amelia' was brilliantly interpreted, flawlessly executed and played with a deep emotion and repose that is not often seen in players today.
Moreover, I'm glad you liked my playing. It was very flattering for me to have that kind of response from such a seasoned and educated musician... As you can imagine, I very rarely cross paths with anyone who understands my personal passion for precise technique and theory that is pushed past the common mediocrity. It was nice to see this understanding in you...
Because of your inspiration, I am going to augment my talents, both technically and theoretically..." John - Detroit MI

“Dear Eric: This is just a note on behalf of all of us in the Lyric Chorus - especially ME - to thank you for your fabulous work as Concert Day Manager… fantastic! We have never had such a wonderful Concert Day Manager. Bill and I didn't have to worry about ANYTHING! Everything was taken care of before we even thought of it, and even things we hadn't thought of at all. You have no idea what an incredible relief it is on concert day not to have to worry about management things. We had that blessing this past concert.
Thank you for your superb work.”
Cheers, Helene Whitson, President San Francisco Lyric Chorus