Adam Pettit began his formal training on the classical guitar at age fifteen, at the Texas Christian University Music Preparatory program with Chip Christ, later receiving study from Charles Postlewate. Shortly thereafter, in 1997, he received the gold medal at the University Interscholastic League Competition's state competition on classical guitar, and was subsequently awarded Outstanding Performer. He was also a prizewinner in the 2003-04 National MTNA competition for solo guitar.
Adam Pettit entered the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University under scholarship in 1998. He studied in the studio of Julian Gray and received extra training from Ray Chester and Manuel Barrueco. Immediately after graduating in 2002 with high honors, earning his Bachelor of Music degree, he continued his studies at Peabody earning his Master of Music in Guitar Performance which he completed in 2004. Currently, Adam Pettit is enrolled at the University of Southern California as a Doctorate of Musical Arts candidate in the studio of William Kanengiser.
Recently in 2007 he was awarded first prize in USC's Donald Miller Classical Guitar Concerto Competition, where he performed the Tres Danzas Concertantes by Leo Brouwer. This same year he was chosen to perform the solo part for Electric Counterpoint for the composer, Steve Reich, at his 70th birthday celebration.
Mr. Pettit has participated as performer in a number of master classes including: Manuel Barrueco, Eliot Fisk, Eduardo Fernandez, David Tanenbaum, Scott Tennant, Pepe Romero, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, and the duo of Mateo Mela and Giampaolo Bandini. In 1997, at a master class with Carlo Domeniconi, Mr. Pettit was invited by Mr. Domeniconi to share the stage and play with him. Later, in the summer of 2004, Adam Pettit attended the Pepe Romero Celebration at USC, where he was a Celebration Performer. Last year, Mr. Pettit was chosen to represent USC at the Eleventh Annual Hispanoamericano Festival de Guitarra in Tijuana as a performer.
Adam Pettit enjoys chamber music as well as solo works. At this time he is a member of the Redwood Guitar Quartet, and various other ensembles.