Benjamin Bencasso Barnes

Benjamin Bencasso Barnes is currently lead singer and violinist of Swindlefish, as classical, bluegrass, rock, and jazz violinist and violist, rock guitarist singer songwriter, and teacher of violin, guitar, and viola.
Biography
Benjamin was surrounded by music and art from an early age. His father, David Barnes, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, while his mother, Lillian La Fayette, was a painter. Growing up in such an environment, Benjamin developed a passion for music and art at an early age. He began his musical education under the mentorship of Sherry Kloss, a student of the legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz. He further refined his skills at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in music. In addition to his classical education, he specialized in electric violin, jazz performance, and composition under the guidance of David Balakrishnan from the Turtle Island String Quartet. He also obtained a teaching credential with an additional authorization in music from San Francisco State University. In 2017, he worked as a consultant for the United States Department of Education.
Throughout his career, Benjamin has been involved in various musical projects. As the violinist, lead singer, and songwriter of the band Deadweight, he performed at the Fuji Rock Festival and won the Lucky Strike Band Competition. The band signed contracts with Alternative Tentacles and Nippon Columbia. He has collaborated with prominent artists such as Les Claypool, Mr. Bungle, The Coup, DJ Disk, Fishbone, Dead Prez, Jason Newsted (former bassist of Metallica), and the legendary violinist Isaac Stern. Ben is recorded on Alternative Tentacles, Nippon Columbia, Prawn Song Records, and Bencasso Media.
Barnes is the founder of the Rilke String Quartet, which was a semi-finalist in the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition. The quartet has released three albums, available for purchase and streaming. The quartet is available for concerts, private events, and coachings.
Besides music, Benjamin Barnes is a visual artist, painting under the name "Bencasso." He received a $20,000 grant from the San Francisco Arts Commission for the realization of an artistic project.
Benjamin is founder, CEO, and Executive Director of Culture Scholar Corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to bring concerts and arts classes to underrepresented populations including the elderly and mentally ill. Ben performs informal concerts at mental health clinics in San Francisco, and gives music appreciation classes and informal concerts at retirement centers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As an entrepreneur, Barnes owns Bencasso LLC, doing business as Bencasso Media, Bencasso Art Gallery, Benjamin Barnes Music, Skeletonichi, LaFayette Originals, The Strolling Violinist, and The Coaches Corner.
Ben hosts "The Coaches Corner" a nationally syndicated radio podcast segment of "The Price of Business". He gives business advice to artistpreneurs on the PoB Digital Network.
He filed his candidacy for Mayor of San Francisco on March 28, 2023, but it was rejected due to incomplete documentation.

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