** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Black Violin

Black Violin musicians Wil B. and Kev Marcus

LAS VEGAS, NM – Two classically trained musicians who blend traditional strings music with hip hop beats will perform at Highlands University’s Ilfeld Auditorium March 2.

Musicians Wil B. and Kev Marcus form Black Violin, which creates a distinctive multigenre sound is often described as “classical boom.”

Black Violin has shared stages with top names including Kanye West, Aerosmith and Tom Petty, and has creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys.

“We are very excited to have Black Violin at Highlands as part of our Student Life Initiative,” said Kimberly Blea, the university’s dean of students. “Black Violin provides a different type of musical experience you don’t see every day. Their sound isn’t very common, and that’s exciting.”

Black Violin served as the house band for ESPN’s Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation in December for the second consecutive year. Last fall, the network selected Black Violin’s track “Stereotypes” to promote the U.S. Open tennis tournament.

“Our mantra has always been to engage the audience to look at things from a different perspective,” Kev Marcus said for an interview.

In December, Black Violin became the Turnaround Artist for Mary B. Bethune Elementary School in their hometown of Broward County, FL. Turnaround Arts, a national education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, infuses arts into struggling schools to support overall reform efforts. Founded by President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in 2012, the program partners schools with music instrument grants, arts supplies, professional development, musicals, and pairs each school with an artist to provide mentorship, inspiration, and support for the school’s journey in the program. Turnaround Artists include Elton John, Edward Norton, and Yo-Yo Ma, among other acclaimed members of the arts community.

Ticket prices for Black Violin’ March 2 performance in Ilfeld are $ 20, general admission, $15 for senior citizens area students and Highlands employees, $10 for children 10 and younger and free for Highlands students with a valid I.D. The performance begins in Ilfeld at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6:30.

Tickets are available at Highlands’ radio station KEDP, Studio 103 or by calling (505) 454-3238.