Violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain to Perform at UNC Asheville

Staff Reports

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 acclaimed composition “etudes4violin&electronix” at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 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,
entitled “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 of 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.

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.