05/07/2023
Deepest condolences to Bruce's family and students (including President Randy Reed) from all of us at the Triangle Guitar Society.
Remembering Bruce Holzman (1950 – 2023)
We at the GFA and the guitar community come together in remembrance of the prolific guitar teacher, performer, and friend Bruce Holzman. Bruce passed away on May 6, 2023 due to complications from a severe car crash. Heartbroken, we send our deepest condolences to his wife Michele, brother Adam, family, along with his many students and friends. Bruce’s impact on the guitar community is immeasurable and will be forever loved and missed.
Raised in New York, Bruce graduated from the high school of the Performing Arts and New York University. Bruce studied guitar under the tutelage of Gustavo Lopez, Rodrigo Riera, and Albert Valdes Blaine. In August 1972, Bruce began teaching at Florida State University where his students would go to win competitions worldwide including the Guitar Foundation of America and Toronto International Guitar Festival. Many of his students would go on to hold prominent teaching positions including the University of Texas at Austin, University of Louisville, Stetson University, and many others. Bruce was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the Fifth New York Guitar Seminar held in his honor and was inducted into the GFA Hall of Fame in 2018.
Bruce had made a lifelong impact on each of his students. His dedication to the art of teaching can be easily seen. Bruce was caring and inspirational but was not shy to be honest with his students. There is no shortage of stories and quotable sayings that came from studying with him. Bruce’s younger brother, Adam Holzman recounts a lesson he had with Bruce where “He would blow cigar smoke in my face. I said to him, "I can't play if you blow smoke in my face and he said, and I quote, you can’t play whether I blow smoke in your face or not.” Bruce cared deeply for every student he had.
Bruce’s legacy will live on for many generations to come. The guitar world has lost one of its major figures and our staff and members will miss him dearly.