Rex Willis taught full-time at State College of Florida for many years as head of classical guitar, guitar ensemble and composition. He has a master’s degree in music from Florida State University, attended Composition Master classes with visiting composer Aaron Copland, studied guitar with Bruce Holzman and participated in Guitar Master Classes with Christopher Parkening and Pepe Romero.

Willis’ original music has been reviewed in classical guitar publications (Soundboard, Classical Guitar) as “... skillful ... brilliant ... powerful ... seductive ... an absolute gem of a piece ...”
Willis’ professional and collegiate music directing-conducting credits include “nto The Woods, The Music Man, West Side Story, Grease, Oklahoma, the guitar orchestras at The Stetson Guitar Workshop, the Brno International Guitar Festival, All-State at The University of New Mexico and many more. Willis has conducted both instrumental ensembles and choirs at festivals in Europe including a work of his own (approved by French authorities) during 11:00am Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral in 1989, Paris.
As a classical guitarist, guest conductor, adjudicator, workshop director, commissioned composer, actor, (two shows with the Asolo Repertoire Theatre, Sarasota) and, avid kayak fisherman, Willis maintains a busy schedule!