News & Events

Violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain to Perform at UNC Asheville; "etudes4violin&electronix" Fuses Funk, Rock, Hip-Hop and Classical Music

October 5, 2009

Funk, rock, hip-hop and classical music might not seem like natural partners, but violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (known as DBR) has found a way to blend them into a compelling and distinctive form. This eclectic, high-energy style, which he calls "dred violin," will be the highlight of an upcoming performance at UNC Asheville. DBR will perform his original "etudes4violin&electronix" at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. He will be joined on stage by Wynne Bennett on keyboards, computer and piano and Elan Vytal (aka DJ Scientific) on turntables and beat-boxing. It is DBR's first performance in Western North Carolina.

In 2008, Haitian-American DBR released his first solo album, "etudes4violin&electronix" to critical praise. Described as a "demonstration of unquestionable virtuosity and commitment to the violin's expressivity" by All About Jazz, the album showcases DBR with guest artists ranging from classical musician Philip Glass to DJ Spooky. As evidence to his range of appeal, he also recently collaborated and performed with Lady Gaga on "American Idol" and was hailed as a "New Face of Classical Music" in Esquire Magazine. 

A native of Florida, DBR holds a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, where he currently serves as a visiting professor of composition. He completed master's and doctorate degrees at the University of Michigan under the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom.

Tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets to the concert are $20 or $6 for area students. To purchase tickets online, visit www.uncatickets.com. To purchase tickets in person, stop by UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Box Office. The box office can be reached at 828/232-5000.

Other events in the 2009-10 UNC Asheville Cultural and Special Events season include:
- December 10: Holiday pops concert by the North Carolina Symphony
- January 20: MLK Day celebration lecture by environmental justice leader Robert D. Bullard|
- February 26-27: nicholas leichter dance company performs
- March 2: Jazz concert by Esperanza Spalding 

For more information on UNC Asheville's Cultural & Special Events season or to purchase group tickets, call 828/251-6991 or click on www.unca.edu/culturalarts/. 

H1N1 Influenza Information for Those Attending Upcoming Public Events at UNC Asheville

While the H1N1 influenza appears to be mild in otherwise healthy people, it can spread easily from person to person. Social distancing is one of the best ways to help curb the spread of the flu. Therefore, UNC Asheville health officials strongly discourage members of the public with influenza-like symptoms from attending campus events until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours. If you have questions about whether you are well enough to attend campus events, call UNC Asheville's Health Services at 828/251-6520.