Lilia Valerie
- Los Angeles, CA
- Violinist
- 52 Verified Bookings
Ito said “Amazing music for our wedding”
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Benjamin Barnes is a violinist. He has recorded over 120 songs and collaborated with renowned musicians.
Great follow-up and very reliable. Great musician and is highly recommended!
Price Range: $200 and up
Audiences can expect a wide range of topics and themes from Bencasso's talks, with each one being unique and tailored to the occasion. Some potential elements that audiences may expect include:
A variety of topics: Bencasso's talks may cover anything from music history to art symbolism to personal experiences with mental health and recovery. Audiences should come prepared for a diverse and potentially surprising range of subject matter.
Engaging storytelling: Given Bencasso's background in music, writing, and comedy, it's likely that his talks will feature engaging storytelling and a strong sense of humor. This can help to keep audiences entertained and invested in the presentation.
Personal anecdotes: Bencasso's personal experiences with catastrophic injury, mental health challenges, and other obstacles may provide a powerful backdrop for his talks. Audiences can expect to hear stories and insights that are drawn from his own life.
Positive messaging: Despite the challenges he has faced, it sounds like Bencasso brings a positive outlook to his speaking engagements. Audiences may leave feeling inspired and motivated to face their own struggles with resilience and determination.
Overall, it seems that audiences can expect a unique and multifaceted experience from Bencasso's speaking engagements, with each presentation offering a different perspective and set of insights.
Varied formats: Based on the information you provided, it sounds like Bencasso's speaking engagements may take a variety of formats, depending on the topic and audience. For example, he may use visual aids and music clips to illustrate a talk about music history, or showcase his artwork during a presentation on art symbolism. This variety can help to keep audiences engaged and interested.
Emphasis on teaching and learning: Bencasso's experiences as a teacher and music studio owner suggest that he may have valuable insights into how people learn and how best to teach them. His talks may incorporate ideas about different learning styles, the importance of patience in teaching, and other pedagogical topics.
Authenticity: It's clear from the information you provided that Bencasso has led a complex and multifaceted life, with a range of experiences and challenges. Audiences may appreciate his willingness to share his personal struggles and triumphs in an authentic and honest way.
Advocacy for mental health: Bencasso's experiences with mental health challenges and recovery may be an important theme in his talks. He may use his platform to advocate for increased awareness and support for individuals with similar challenges, and to destigmatize mental illness.
Empathy and understanding: Finally, based on what you've shared, it seems that Bencasso brings a deep sense of empathy and understanding to his work as a speaker. He may be skilled at connecting with audiences and creating a sense of community and shared experience.
Overall, it sounds like audiences can expect a unique and inspiring experience from Bencasso's speaking engagements, with a range of topics, formats, and themes that reflect his diverse background and interests.
Interactive elements: Bencasso may also incorporate interactive elements into his talks to engage audiences more fully. For example, he may ask for audience participation in creating a piece of music or art, or invite questions and discussion to foster a more collaborative environment.
Intersectionality: Given Bencasso's diverse background and experiences, his talks may touch on themes of intersectionality, exploring how different aspects of identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, disability) intersect and impact each other. This can help to create a more inclusive and nuanced conversation.
Creativity and innovation: Bencasso's background as a musician, artist, and entrepreneur suggests that he may have a unique perspective on creativity and innovation. His talks may explore how creativity can be harnessed in different contexts, or how innovation can be used to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Practical advice: While Bencasso's talks may cover a range of topics, it's possible that he may also offer practical advice or tips for audiences to take away. For example, he may offer strategies for managing mental health challenges, or share insights into how to build a successful business or career.
Emphasis on resilience and hope: Finally, it seems that Bencasso's personal experiences have given him a deep well of resilience and hope to draw upon. His talks may emphasize the importance of these qualities in overcoming challenges and pursuing one's dreams, leaving audiences feeling uplifted and inspired.
Overall, audiences can expect a rich and varied experience from Bencasso's speaking engagements, with a focus on creativity, empathy, and resilience. His talks may cover a range of topics and formats, but will likely be characterized by his unique perspective and engaging storytelling.
Benjamin “Bencasso” Barnes was panelist for California Arts Council in 2022. In 2020, documentary “Beats (link hidden)e Street” premiered in Miami, Florida. Ben’s life as a former rock star, chamber musician, survivor of catastrophic injuries, and street performer were focus of the film. Ben made a remarkable recovery and relearned how to play guitar, and violin. Ben’s once again plays music professionally and is grateful for the gift.
Ben has been a street musician and artist since 1975, an educator since 1986, record producer since 1993, published author since 1996, music video producer, 2015, short film maker, 2020, and started minting NFT's in 2022.
BARNES' mother taught him to paint and father taught Ben to play guitar and sing. Heifetz protege Sherry Kloss gave him mad skills on the violin, which he followed up at S.F.C.M. under Izzy Tinkleman, violin, Paul Hersh viola, Don Ehrlich, viola, Zaven Melikian violin, Ian Swensson violin, Emmy Award winning and first violinist of both Concord and U.S. Army String Quartets: Mark Sokol, string quartets for classical music. Ben went off campus to study jazz with Dave Balakrishnan (Turtle Island String Quartet), Benny learned bluegrass at festival jams and transcribing Kenny Baker records.
Benjamin has had film editing instruction from Emmy nominated Eric Deinzer, more painting instruction from Ilan Laks, earned a multiple subjects teaching credential with supplementary authorization for music at SF State. As consultant to U.S. Department of Education, 2017, Mr. Barnes was hired to rate standardized tests as consultant whose expertise instructing children to read with feeling.
Ben Barnes was lead singer, songwriter and violinist with hard rock power trio Deadweight (electric cello, violin, vocals, drums) has played Fuji Rock Festival, won Lucky Strike Band competition, is signed to Nippon Columbia and Alternative Tentacles, as well as worked with Isaac Stern, Graeme Jennings, Paulo Baldi, Les Claypool, Fishbone, Mr. Bungle, Eric McFadden, The Coups, Dead Prez, D.J Disk, and had his first demo produced by Metallica's Jason Newstead.
(link hidden)rnes has taught academics and music in historically underrepresented classrooms. Ben volunteers for San Francisco Unified School District as well as advocates for minority youth as consultant to U.S. Department of Education. Ben’s understanding of the minority and impoverished struggles both from experience as, and advocate for, promotes education and gives representati
Achievements and Significant events
1975-present
~ Street performances and sales of art on the street
1987-Present
~ Jazz, Rock, and Bluegrass bands rehearsals and performances 1986-present
~ Private instructor, violin, viola, guitar, voice
~ Orchestral and Chamber Musician: violin, viola
~ Bencasso Gallery: Street store and web-gallery, owner and artist
2022
~ Panelist California Arts Council
~ Psychedelic S.F. violin and consultation
~ Fractured Atlas fiscal sponsorship
~ Bencasso Gallery
~ Musicare emergency medical grant award for accident getting hit by car causing broken wrist and Traumatic Brain Injury
~ Fractured Atlas Fiscal sponsorship, became officially a credible arts organization
~ Complete audio recordings and sheet music manuscripts, transcriptions published and catalogued.- literary works in process of being catalogued works
2021
~ Beats of the Street Violin Madness: Premiered
~ Creator: 421 Music videos, 3 short films, 7 vlogs premiered on 18 Bencasso Media YouTube channels
~ Rilke String Quartet: Lyric Suite opus 3 recording released
~ Film Editing coaching with Emmy Award nominee Eric Deinzer
~ Amherst Online Interview: Madeliene Bonn host
2020
~ Beats of the Street Violin Madness: Documentary about Ben's life filmed
~ Creator; 143 music videos and 3 short films and vlogs premiered on 18 Bencasso Media YouTube channels
~ San Francisco Mayor’s Covid Relief Arts Grant awarded
~ Livestream broadcasts of Classical, Rock, Jazz, and Bluegrass music commenced.
2019
~ Consultant, U.S. Department of Education
2018
~ K.A.L.X. radio interview: Jon Schickman host
2015
~ Swindlefish: Dasche Cellars concert video produced, shown on Benjamin Barnes and Swindlefish's YouTube channels
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~ Volunteer, student, and substitute instructor: San Francisco Unified School District grades K-8.
~ San Francisco State University Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential with Supplementary Authorization for Music
2012
~ Swindlefish: Unlucky,
~ Swindlefish: t-shirt, stickers, poster designs
~ Kickstarter fundraising campaign for album: Awarded
2011
~ Academy of Art: Performance art with D.J. for hip hop music festival.
2007
~ Catastrophic injury from impact with train. Skull shattered, two vertebrae, collarbone, scapula fractured, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
2005
~ Dead Prez recording session
2004
~ Office Brisband CA Bridge team: "Carlson Concrete"
~ Alternative Tentacles: Stroking the Moon.
~ Deadweight: Sticker and Shirt designs sold at concerts
~ Deadweight: Poster designs hung at clubs public places
2003
~ Swindlefish: Portlandia
~ Les Claypool: Black and White Ball, The Fillmore
2001
~ Les Claypool: Purple Onion
~ Deadweight: U.S. Tours
~ Fishbone, two U.S. tours
~ Deadweight: The Fillmore
~ Deadweight: Sticker and Shirt designs sold at concerts
~ Deadweight: Poster designs hung at clubs public places
2000
~ Deadweight: Fuji Rock Festival ~ Deadweight: Nippon Columbia
~ Deadweight: Lucky Strike band competition winner
~ Deadweight: North East Music Organization conference.
~ Deadweight: Sticker and Shirt designs sold at concerts
~ Deadweight: Poster designs hung at clubs public places
1999
~ Deadweight: Halfwit Anthems
1998
~ Mr. Bungle: California recording session
~ Rilke String Quartet: Brahms Piano Quartet no. 3 in C minor op.60
~ Eric McFadden Experience: Our Revels now are Ended
1997
~ Deadweight: KUSF Fortune Cookies “A Dream within A Dream”
1996
~ Deadweight: Opus 1 ~ Deadweight: Sticker and Shirt designs sold at concerts
~ Deadweight: Poster designs hung at clubs public places
1995
~ Deadweight: Jason Newstead demo (phone number hidden)4
~ Tart to Tart (San Francisco): Three works of art and performances of classical music ~ San Francisco Conservatory: Graduate Student
1993
~ Rilke String Quartet: Rilke String Quartet
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~ San Francisco School of the Arts: Artist in Residence
~ Jason Newssteed: My Lung Hurts
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~ The Owl and Monkey (San Francisco California): Three works of art
~ Izzy Tinkleman: Violin Student
~ San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Undergrad Student
~ Tart to Tart Francisco, San: Barista
~ The Beanery: Ashland OR Bussed
1987
~ The Beanery Corvallis Or Three works of art
~ Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Or Oregon:w State University
~ Concertmaster, Soloist Corvallis Youth Symphony
~ Corvallis Arts mya departmet end of year exhibits A: 3 works of art 1. collage 2. drawing 3. painting
1987
~ William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Oberon "KIng of the Faeries" (Wear Boots and I Tell You No LIes}
~ BaristaThe Beanery Corvallis Oregon Art and Music
~ Corvallis High School Orchestra: Concertmaster
~ Corvallis Youth Symphony: Concertmaster
~ Oregon State University Symphony Orchestra: 1st violin
~ Corvallis High School Art department end of year exhibit: 3 works of art 1. collage 2. drawing 3. painting
19saaa86
~ Oregon All State Orchestra: first violin
~ Sub. Paperboy Amy O'Kneel: Corvallis newspaper
1985
~ Corvallis High School Orchestra: Soloist
1984
~ The Music Man: Tommy Djilas
~ Corvallis Youth Symphony: Principal 2nd violin
1980
~ Southern Oregon Youth Symphony: second violin
~ Paperboy: Medford Mail Tribune, Talent OR
Education
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San Francisco State University: Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential program
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City College of San Francisco
2003
Ilan Laks: Art student
1995
Randy Clark: Guitar student
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Dave Balakrishnan: Jazz violin and composition student
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San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Master of Music (1994) Bachelor of Music performance and pedagogy (1996),
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Sherry Kloss: Violin lessons
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Oregon State University Symphony Orchestra: student
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Violin lessons: Marlon Carlson Professor, Oregon State University Teaching Positions
2017
United States Department of Education: Consultant
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Moscone, Commodore Sloat, San Francisco: Substitute and student teacher, volunteer, grades K-8 (Chinese bilingual Kindergarten, Spanish bilingual 2nd grade)
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Music City Academy: Instructor: violin and viola
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School of the Arts: Artist in Residence
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Brandeis Hillel School: Violin instructor
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