Barnes

Bio Gig Salad Benjamin Barnes is a true Renaissance man. With a wealth of experience and expertise, he has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile and talented musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs in the industry. Ben’s art music and film project was awarded 20,000 dollars from the San Francisco Arts Commission in 2023 and in 2022 he served on the arts grants panel for California Arts Council, and consulted for U.S. Department of Education. Throughout his career, Benjamin has amassed an impressive array of accomplishments, including serving as a chamber musician with the Rilke String Quartet, lead singer of the bands Deadweight and Swindlefish, and a prolific singer-songwriter with over 120 recordings available on all major streaming platforms and web-stores. Additionally, he has collaborated with renowned musicians such as Metallica's Jason Newsted, Primus' Les Claypool, Fishbone, Mr. Bungle, Fishbone, Dead Prez, The Coup, DJ Disk, Isaac Stern, Eric McFadden, and Mr. Bungle. Benjamin's talents extend beyond the realm of music. He is also an accomplished actor, painter and digital artist, with a successful art gallery at bencasso.org. Additionally, he is an entrepreneur who has owned several businesses, including record labels and own websites: BenjaminBarnes.com for lessons, Bencasso.net for recordings, Bencasso.org an art gallery, bencassomedia.com music and store, Skeletonichi.com a merch store, culturescholar.org, a nonprofit which teaches arts and culture as a health and well-being staple for the disadvantaged, disabled, and economically challenged. EPK https://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/bencasso EPK https://musician.artistpr.com/p/bencasso/ Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, Benjamin has persevered and achieved incredible success. He is a survivor of a suicide attempt and has managed to thrive while also managing bipolar disorder and recovering from traumatic childhood experiences. Additionally, he has recovered from catastrophic injuries and a traumatic brain injury, all while consulting for the US Department of Education and teaching kindergarten, third, and fifth grades. Education has always been a crucial part of Benjamin's life. He holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a multiple subjects teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Furthermore, he is a talented lyricist, poet, and novelist, and his work often incorporates political satire and social commentary. In 2020, Benjamin was the subject of a movie about street musicians, which premiered in 2021. Despite all of his achievements, Benjamin remains grounded in his faith and is grateful for the love of Jesus Christ, which has helped him through the most difficult times. His message of hope and positivity has inspired audiences around the world, and he has become a sought-after motivational speaker. In conclusion, Benjamin Barnes is an extraordinary talent and a remarkable human being. He has achieved incredible success in multiple fields and has overcome numerous challenges, including mental illness, traumatic childhood experiences, and catastrophic injuries. Through it all, he has remained optimistic, positive, and committed to helping others. As a motivational speaker, Benjamin offers a message of hope and resilience, inspiring audiences to overcome their challenges and achieve their dreams. 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 https://www.Bencasso.org 2022 ~ Panelist California Arts Council ~ Psychedelic S.F. Violin and consultation ~ Fractured Atlas fiscal sponsorship ~ Bencasso.org Gallery ~ Musicare emergency medical grant award for accident getting hit by car causing broken wrist and Traumatic Brain Injury ~ Fractured Atlas Fiscal sponsorship ~ 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. 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 Swindlefihs YouTube channels 2010 - 2013 ~ 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 2004 ~ 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 ~ 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 ~ Rilke String Quartet: Brahms Piano Quartet no. 3 in C minor op.60 ~ 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 1992-1994 ~ Tart to Tart (San Francisco): Three works of art (1 photograph, 1 drawing, 1 painting) ~ San Francisco Conservatory: Grad Student 1993 ~ Rilke String Quartet: Rilke String Quartet 1991-1992 ~ San Francisco School of the Arts: Artist in Residence ~ Jason Newsted: My Lung Hurts 1988-1992 ~ The Owl and Monkey (San Francisco California): Three works of art (Photograph, 2 drawings) ~ Izzy Tinkleman: Violin Student ~ San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Undergrad Student 1987 ~ The Beanery Corvallis Oregon: Three works of art (2 drawings 1 painting) ~ Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Oregon State University ~ Concertmaster, Soloist Corvallis Youth Symphony ~ Corvallis High School Art department end of year exhibit: 3 works of art 1. collage 2. drawing 3. painting 1987 ~ William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Oberon ~ Corvallis High School Art department end of year exhibit: 3 works of art 1 .collage 2. drawing 3. painting 1986 ~ The Beanery Corvallis Oregon: Three works of art (drawings) ~ 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 1986 ~ Oregon All State Orchestra: first violin ~ Corvallis High School Art department end of year exhibit: 3 works of art 1 .collage 2. drawing 3. painting 1985 ~ Corvallis High School Orchestra: Soloist ~ Corvallis High School Art department end of year exhibit: 3 works of art 1 .collage 2. drawing 3. painting 1984 ~ The Music Man: Tommy Djilas ~ Corvallis Youth Symphony: Principal 2nd violin ~ Corvallis High School Art department end of year exhibit: 3 works of art 1 .collage 2. drawing 3. painting 1980 ~ Southern Oregon Youth Symphony: second violin Education 2011-2013 San Francisco State University: Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential program 2006-2009 City College of San Francisco: Art History 2003-2004 Ilan Laks: Art student 1994-1995 Randy Clark: Guitar student 1992-1994 Dave Balakrishnan: Jazz violin and composition student 1988-1994 San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Master of Music (1994) Bachelor of Music performance and pedagogy (1996), 1987-1989 Sherry Kloss: Violin lessons 1986-1987 Oregon State University Symphony Orchestra: student 1984-1987 Violin lessons: Marlon Carlson Professor, Oregon State University Teaching Positions 2017 United States Department of Education: Consultant 2012-2014 Moscone, Commodore Sloat, San Francisco: Substitute and student teacher, volunteer, grades K-8 (Chinese bilingual Kindergarten, Spanish bilingual 2nd grade) 1994-1996 Music City Academy: Instructor: violin and viola 1990-1992 School of the Arts: Artist in Residence 1990-1991 Brandeis Hillel School: Violin instructor