Black Violin encourages young musicians to think outside the box

Students from our Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra (PCYO) program will have the opportunity to learn from two innovative violinists.

Kev Marcus and Will B are two classically trained violinists who perform their own style of music, a fusion of jazz, hip-hop, funk, and classical. 

Combining classical training with an urban beat, these two Florida natives and their DJ make up the group Black Violin, performing at the Straz Center Jan. 13, 2012. (Go to the Straz site and click play under the picture to check out a sample of their sound!)

Next week, they’ll share their experiences and offer students tips on musical improv through a demonstration for some of our music students and partners.

Kev and Will met at the Dillard High School of Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, and formed Black Violin while in college. In 2004, the group performed with Alicia Keys at the Billboard Music awards. In 2008, they released an album, also titled Black Violin. Today, they tour and use their platform to reach out to kids.

Using youth orchestras and music programs, they strive to show children and teens that they are capable of expressing themselves in ways they have never dreamed.

“This is such a great opportunity for our students to be exposed to different styles of music,” said Tina James, Patel Conservatory education programs coordinator.

Black Violin will offer two outreaches for the Patel Conservatory. They'll give a lecture and demonstration to PCYO students, and another for some of our community partners.