Violinist KERSTEN STEVENS profile picture

Violinist KERSTEN STEVENS

About Me

Musically gifted, beautiful, virtuosic & poised professional Violinist Kersten Stevens is truly a gift! Being blessed with a talent for jazz, gospel and classical performance, she has excelled from a local star hailing from Stratford, Connecticut to a national buzzworthy artist! A recent graduate of the Yale University Class of 2006 with a B.A. in Music and African American Studies, KERSTEN’s musical journey began with classical violin instruction at the age of three. She began studying and performing jazz, gospel and contemporary styles at age fourteen! Kersten has since been the opening act for the late Ray Charles, made a 2004 appearance for the National Boys and Girls Clubs at the request by Denzel Washington, appeared in 2005 as a featured soloist with Dionne Warwick and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, performed with world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, has studied with violinist John Blake, Jr., and has twice taken Showtime at the Apollo by storm, winning competitions in 2003 and 1999!KERSTEN’s stirring violin improvisational skills have received a number of awards and recognitions. In 2007 she was awared Gospel Instrumentalist of the Year by Connecticut's Holla Back Video Awards. She was crowned the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen Miss Connecticut 2000 and International 1st runner up and in 2002 was the Gold Medal winner of the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics in the Music/Instrumental Contemporary category. Also in 2002, she received awards from the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra for musical excellence and from Vivian Ayers-Allen and Phylicia Ayers-Allen Rischad for her musical accomplishments. Recently, she was awarded for artistic excellence by the Afro- American Cultural Center at Yale University. Kersten has completed two solo projects. The Beginning, released in 2002, features jazz classics like Duke Ellington’s “In A Sentimental Mood” and funk charts like Stevie Wonder’s “Master Blaster.” September 2005 celebrated the release of Kersten’s highly anticipated sophomore gospel album entitled Walks of Faith. A fusion of contemporary jazz and gospel, the project features such legendary musicians such as bassist Lonnie Plaxico and is complete with gospel standards “The Lord’s Prayer,” contemporaries like “Shabach” and spirituals like “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child.” The album is truly an electrifying musical and spiritual experience!The dynamic virtuosity of Violinist Kersten Stevens distinguishes her as one of the most uniquely gifted artists to hit the scene today! She continues to perform across the country and looks forward to sharing her music across the world.For More Info, Booking & Management Please Visit Us at www.kerstenstevens.com [email protected]
Click Here to BUY KERSTEN'S NEW 2005 RELEASE "WALKS OF FAITH"

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 09/09/2005
Band Website: www.kerstenstevens.com
Band Members: BUY CDs HERE or get MP3's on ITUNES & All Digital Sellers!
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From a new-jazz HARK THE HERALD, to the serene O Holy Night to the worshipful O Come all Ye Faithful to the hip hop/funk Do You Hear What I Hear, Kersten premiers THE GIFT, a new holiday album that will be sure to please all gifters this season. The album is christened by the title original track, THE GIFT Produced by Mark Brown & Kersten Stevens for KS MUSIC Publishing (MusiCharity Productions). Featuring: Kersten Stevens - violin, Mark Brown - Keys, Synth Bass & Programming, Miki Hayama-Piano solos, Tony Mahone-Electric bass, Tony Cimorosi-Acoustic Bass, Ulysses Owens Jr.-Drums
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Featured on WALKS OF FAITH: Lonnie Plaxico, Aziza Miller, Tyrone Patrick, Joe Scott, James Jones, Melvin Riley, William Acosta, Gregory Spain ALSO Collaborations: Tia Fuller sax, Miki Hayama keys, Miriam Sullivan bass, Bernice "Boom Boom" Brooks, Ragan Whiteside flute
Influences:Regina Carter, John Blake Jr., Noel Pointer, Alicia Keys (..1 Fan), Joshua Redman, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Cassandra Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, Noel Pointer, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dwele, Deon Kipping, Jill Scott, Lonnie Plaxico, Thelonious Monk, Janet Jackson, James Brown,
Sounds Like: Soul meets funk meets spirituality....fueled by passion and talent...a fusion of jazz, gospel and R&B...Sounds like nothing you've heard before!
Record Label: INDEPENDENT

My Blog

Me @ Obama Fashion Fundraiser Event, July '08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOaIoKlo6OM
Posted by on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:10:00 GMT