William has been in-demand for a number of high-profile musical events, including a support tour with 143 Records’ label mate Josh Groban in 2004, a two-month tour with Clay Aiken in 2005 (plus a collaboration with him on his album A Thousand Different Ways), and supporting such artists as Barbara Streisand, Natalie Cole, Kenny G., Il Divo, and Peter Cincotti at select concerts around the world.
William — who at age eight had already won a full-ride national music scholarship that allowed him to study classical piano with acclaimed Russian instructor Stella Saperstein — welcomes the opportunity to perform any chance he gets. Hence he has appeared center stage for several prestigious celebrity events, including tennis great Andre Agassi’s “Grand Slam for Children” fundraiser with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and John Mayer; a charity event for Carousel of Hope with Beyoncé; as well as at private parties held in the homes of actresses Eva Longoria and Jane Seymour. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also personally invited William to play at an intimate birthday party for his wife, Maria Shriver.
In February 2008, William performed “Kashmir” at the star-studded opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum at LACMA, an invitation-only gala event attended by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Prince Andrew, Steve Martin, Christina Aguilera, and Dustin Hoffman, among many others. Also this year, Dr. John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, selected “Beyond” to be the theme music for his website (www.marsvenuswellness.com) and Internet television programming.
William also launched his first headlining tour at the end of January, a stint through western Canada in which he drove fans into a frenzy with his vigorous performing style, which includes playing the piano upside-down. “I absolutely love playing in front of an audience,” William says. “Not only do I want to take people on a musical journey, but I want to connect with them and hear what they think, which is why I love meeting people after the shows. The fans are as much a part of this as everything else and I take that connection with them very seriously. In the end, I just want to bring as many people along with me on this adventure as possible.”
