School of Music, Theatre
and Dance

Varner Hall, Room 207
371 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
Academic Office: (248) 370-2030
Box Office: (248) 370-3013
Fax: (248) 370-2041
[email protected]

Bret Hoag

Headshot of Bret Hoag
Applied Guitar

Contact: [email protected]


Bret Hoag 
is a special lecturer of guitar at Oakland University and lecturer at the University of Michigan. A regular solo performer, Bret specializes in performance of new music; he has premiered works by many composers, including P.Q. Phan, Anthony Lanman, Rafael Hernandez, Mitsuhito Ogino, Terry Herald, Brian Hulse, and John Hall.

Aside from solo engagements, Bret frequently performs in chamber settings. Most recently, collaborators have included Jeffery Zook, flutist; George Stoffan, clarinetist; Drake Dantzler, tenor; Kelly Holst, soprano; and Davis Brooks, violinist.

At Oakland University, Bret directs the Oakland University Guitar Ensemble, teaches all levels of guitar classes for non-majors, and recruits and maintains an active studio of guitar majors. In addition to teaching courses intended for guitar majors (including Guitar Pedagogy and Guitar Literature), Bret also teaches History of Rock and Roll. At the University of Michigan, Bret teaches guitar classes and conducts the guitar ensemble.

Bret holds a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from Oberlin Conservatory, and a master’s degree in guitar performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Prior to his appointment at Oakland University, Bret held a full-time position at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), where he was coordinator of guitar and directed the IUPUI Guitar Ensemble. In addition, he taught applied guitar at the University of Indianapolis.