Name:		Ms. Kersten Stevens
		Month:		July 2011
		Schools:		Yale University BA 2006
		Organization:		Violinist, The Kersten Stevens Experience, LLC
		Title:		Jazz and Gospel Violinist Kersten Stevens

The multi-talented jazz and gospel Violinist Kersten Stevens is "a remarkable innovation of the classical gospel convention. Fun. Lively. Spirited. Incredible!" (Bowed Radio). Kersten's musical journey began with classical violin instruction at the age of three. She began studying and performing jazz, gospel and contemporary styles at age fourteen and has since been blessed to be the opening act for President Barack Obama, the legendary Ray Charles, appeared by request of Denzel Washington for the National Boys and Girls Clubs, appeared in 2005 as a featured soloist with Dionne Warwick and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, performed with world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, has studied with violinist John Blake, Jr., and has twice taken Showtime at the Apollo by storm, winning competitions in 2003 and 1999! A recent graduate of the Yale University Class of 2006 with a B.A. in Music and African American Studies, Kersten has excelled from a local star hailing from Stratford, Connecticut to a national buzz-worthy artist.

Currently, Kersten is working on her highly anticipated 4th album InspireME. The inspirational album will feature Regina Carter and Mike Phillips and is meant to awaken the spirit in all of us! Kersten is using Kickstarter to raise funds and to give her fans a chance to be apart of the album, before its available in stores. Check out the campaign by June 29th. You can be apart, and receive great rewards in return at http://kck.st/kqx1B3.

In 2008, Kersten celebrated her first holiday album, The Gift, a nu-jazz interpretation of Christian-based Christmas songs, including her original title track, "The Gift". September 2005 celebrated the release of Kersten's highly anticipated sophomore gospel album entitled Walks of Faith. A fusion of contemporary jazz and gospel, the project features such legendary musicians such as bassist Lonnie Plaxico and is complete with gospel standards "The Lord's Prayer," contemporaries like "Shabach" and spirituals like "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child." The Beginning, released in 2002, features jazz classics like Duke Ellington's "In A Sentimental Mood" and funk charts like Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster." The albums are truly electrifying!

Kersten's dynamic improvisational abilities have received a number of awards and recognitions. She was Connecticut's Holla Back Video Awards' 2007 Gospel Instrumentalist of the Year and 2008 Gospel Album of the Year Nominee. She was crowned the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen Miss Connecticut 2000 and International 1st runner up and in 2002 was the Gold Medal winner of the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics in the Music/ Instrumental Contemporary category. Also in 2002, she received awards from the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra for musical excellence and from Vivian Ayers-Allen and Phylicia Rischad for her musical accomplishments. Recently, she was awarded for artistic excellence by the Afro- American Cultural Center at Yale University.

Musically gifted. Talented. Poised. Violinist Kersten Stevens has distinguished herself as an artist who will make a significant impact in the world of music and beyond.