Overview
Guitarist and composer William Flynn has taught at Wichita State University since 2013. He serves as the jazz studies area coordinator and teaches courses in jazz pedagogy, jazz arranging, and jazz improvisation. He also directs jazz ensembles and gives applied guitar lessons. In 2019, he received the University Faculty Excellence Award in Creative Activity.
Described by The Wichita Eagle as “playing a mean guitar,” Flynn is an active performer who appears regularly with his own projects and is often featured with collegiate and high school jazz bands. He has produced three albums as a leader, including his most recent project, Seaside, released on Origin Records.
Widely respected as a leading educator in his field, Flynn has presented and adjudicated at conferences and universities across the country. His educational writing has appeared in Just Jazz Guitar magazine, and he is the co-author of Jazz Guitar Duets, published by Mel Bay.
He holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and a Master of Music in jazz studies from the University of North Texas. While at North Texas, he held the guitar chair in the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band and is featured on Lab 2012.