Benjamin Barnes aka Bencasso Violin Violinist from San Francisco, CA

Benjamin Barnes aka Bencasso Violin, Viola, Guitar, Voice Artist, Educator, and Advocate Commentator on the Nationally syndicated radio podcast "The Price of Business" 2023 San Francisco Arts Commission 20,000 dollar grantee "San Francisco Artist Award" Panelist on California Arts Coucil's Impact Grant Review 2022 and 2024 Benjamin Barnes is a multifaceted individual whose life has been defined by his unyielding passion for culture, music, art, business, and education. Born to David Barnes, a gifted singer-songwriter and guitarist, and Lillian Lafayette, a painter who possessed a touch of madness, Benjamin inherited not only their creative genes but also their indomitable spirit. A Life of Art and Music (1975-Present) Benjamin's journey as a street musician and artist began in 1975, and he has continued to captivate audiences with his talent and creativity ever since. Over the years, he has not only honed his skills as a musician and artist but also as an educator, record producer, author, and even a music video producer. His artistic endeavors culminated in 2019 when he ventured into short film making, followed by entering the world of NFTs in 2022. Education and Artistic Training Benjamin's path to mastery has been shaped by esteemed mentors and institutions. His mother, an artist herself, taught him the art of painting, while his father imparted the secrets of playing the guitar and singing. Sherry Kloss, a protege of Heifetz, honed his violin skills, which he further refined at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of renowned musicians like Izzy Tinkleman, Paul Hersh, Don Ehrlich, Zaven Melikian, Ian Swensson, and Mark Sokol. Additionally, Benjamin pursued jazz studies with Dave Balakrishnan, delved into the world of bluegrass through festival jams and Kenny Baker records, and even received film editing instruction from Emmy-nominated Eric Deinzer. A Diverse Teaching Career Benjamin's dedication to education is as impressive as his artistic pursuits. He holds a teaching credential with supplementary authorization for music from SF State and has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Education. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in rating standardized tests, focusing on instructing children to read with feeling, a skill he has cultivated through years of music and artistry. Musician Extraordinaire Benjamin's musical journey has seen him at the forefront of various musical projects. He was the lead singer, songwriter, and violinist for the hard rock power trio Deadweight, a band that achieved notable success, including winning the Lucky Strike Band competition and signing with Nippon Columbia and Alternative Tentacles. Violinist and currently the lead singer of Swindlefish, a guitarist singer songwriter, founding member of Rilke String Quartet, and producer and performer on several albums of original songs. His musical prowess led him to collaborate with luminaries like Isaac Stern, Graeme Jennings, Paulo Baldi, Les Claypool, Fishbone, Mr. Bungle, Eric McFadden, The Coup, Dead Prez, DJ Spooky, and D.J Disk. His first demo was even produced by Metallica's Jason Newstead.