This concert is presented in partnership with the Queens College Student Association and the Office of Student Development & Leadership.

Since 2004, Black Violin has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals and building bridges in communities along the way. Members Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste first met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, becoming classically trained on the violin and viola through their high school and college careers. Post-college, they reconvened to produce beats for South Florida rappers, and began building an audience in local clubs. They later went on to win Showtime at the Apollo in 2005, and eventually sold out headline performances at venues across the country. NPR took note and declared “their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” Black Violin’s latest release, Take the Stairs, earned a 2020 Grammy Award nomination for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album,” capturing on record their goal of challenging stereotypes and preconceived notions of what a “classical musician” looks and sounds like. Don’t miss their KCA premiere!