Folk Alliance International praised Williams for her “inventive finger-style approach” and her commitment to expanding the expressive range of the guitar. The organization described her as “one of contemporary music’s most visionary and courageous voices,” citing both her creativity and her activism. The award will be presented during the 38th Annual Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans on January 21, 2026.

Williams released her Nonesuch Records debut Acadia in 2024, a nine-track album of original compositions that blend intricate fingerstyle guitar with a wide palette of textures. She performs on guitar, banjo, calabash drum, tap shoes, and kora, joined by collaborators including Immanuel Wilkins, Dom Flemons, Aoife O’Donovan, William Tyler, and Darlingside. The album reflects her diverse influences and her ability to merge tradition with experimentation in a way that feels both personal and forward-looking.

Named NPR Music’s Breakthrough Artist of 2021, Williams continues to earn recognition for the sense of possibility she brings to her instrument. This December, she will perform on the West Coast with shows in Berkeley, Portland, and Seattle.