Youth Event- Black Violin - April 9, 2025 Scottish Rite Auditorium

In partnership with the Camden County Board of Commissioners, HTEI is pleased to offer complimentary student tickets to see Black Violin, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Doors open at 6:30 PM, showtime at 7:30 PM.

Students must arrive between 6:30-7:00 pm to pickup their tickets from an HTEI representative. Details will follow via the registered email, so please be sure to check email.

These complimentary tickets are for students only. Adults can purchase tickets directly at

About the Band:

Kev Marcus began playing violin at age 9, with the encouragement of his mother. He and Wil Baptiste met while attending the famed Dillard High School of the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where they were trained in the classical tradition. During their class and practice time they developed firm classic techniques and in free time listened to hip hop and rhythm and blues.Both Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus attended college on full music scholarships. Wil-B attended Florida State, and Kev Marcus went to Florida International University.Black Violin was born when Marcus heard the music of violinist Stuff Smith, considered to be the first violinist to use electrical amplification techniques on a violin. His professor sat him down at a lesson and told him to listen. Marcus said Smith’s music was“unbelievable”, saying “classical violin with soul and fire. I loved it.” He passed the music on to Will Baptiste and together they decided to form a band, calling it Black Violin, named after Smith’s eponymous soulful solo album. Inspired by Smith’s music, the two realized that they could synthesize all the styles they loved: classical, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and even reggae and gypsy music.

Host or Publisher The Haddon Township Equity Iniative