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YouTube-Famed Violinist Rhett Price Visits CYT for Musical Fun(draiser)

CONCORD, MA: In recent weeks, Concord Youth Theatre (CYT) has enjoyed national recognition thanks to a nod from Vanity Fair Magazine and ‘Captain America’ alumni Chris Evans.  However, the youth theater group will be celebrating more local celebrity on March 29, 2014, when violinist Rhett Price visits 358 Baker Avenue for a fundraising performance to benefit the theater.  Tickets are $18 for the 7:30pm concert.  For tickets and/or information, visit www.concordyouththeatre.org or call (978) 371-1482.

 

Bostinno's 50 On Fire Award Winner, Price states he has “HUGE dreams,” so where better for him to perform than at CYT, an institution that listens to, nurtures, and helps to make young people’s dreams happen?  Once a homeless musician sleeping on friends’ couches and in practice rooms at Berklee College of Music, this Texas-born violinist is fast becoming the latest phenom musician having recently been featured in The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, The New York Post, Huffington Post and Seventeen Magazine, as well as being the feature on WCVB’s Chronicle.  Of earlier times says Price, “I would get up every morning and go out to the Common and play by myself,” he says. “There was one day I was like, ‘Wow, I have $2 to my name. If I don’t go out and play today, I won’t eat.’”  Times certainly have changed for Price, now a hit on YouTube, capturing listeners (and watchers!) with his non-traditional, “not-what-you’d expect from a violin” versions of contemporary music.  One well-known example would be Price’s cover of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.” At Boston’s South Station T stop, Price (along with his roommate Josh Knowles) created the video and launched it on YouTube.  It was quickly noticed and reviewed by known press and – at last check has received well over a million views since April of 2013.

 

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There’s a reason why musicians such as Rhett stand out, and it’s not because he began playing violin at age 4 and grew to study at Berklee - which is attended, he says, “…until he saw his first bill.” Many musicians can say something similar to that (some even paying that bill and becoming ‘degreed’ in music).  The reason Rhett Price stands out is because he doesn’t settle for what is expected of him.  People like Rhett take the traditional, set it aside, and strive to make their art truly their own.  Says the Boston-based busker (someone who entertains in a public place for donations), “What sets me apart - I’m a violinist with a rock band. [Laughs] Obviously that’s going to set me apart. I play pop and rock songs, and I write my own songs.”  It is because of this trait that CYT’s Leanne Cordischi sought out Price hoping to get him to perform at CYT "One of the many wonderful things about CYT, is that we encourage individuality and the freedom to express that through the performing arts,” says Cordischi. “Like our members, Rhett has done just that.  He has created a unique style that is all his own and it is one that local audiences just can't get enough of."

 

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With the intent to continually show its youth that kids CAN make a difference, CAN achieve greatness, and CAN see their dreams come true – and fortunately to boast a growing list of success stories – CYT is very proud to present violinist Rhett Price as the first show in what it’s calling its “CYT Presents” events, to be followed during April vacation with two storytelling performances by the legendary Odds Bodkin, as well as a much-anticipated performance coming in September by much-loved folk artist Livingston Taylor, also a fundraiser for CYT. 

 

Once considered the ‘Rocker of the Red Line,’ you probably won’t see Rhett Price playing his violin the next time you’re waiting for the T, as he now regularly performs in venues versus public places… venues such as Concord Youth Theatre’s black box theater space at 358 Baker Avenue in Concord.  The concert/fundraiser will be held on March 29, 2014 at 7:30pm. Tickets for this event are $18.  For more information or to reserve tickets, please visit Concord Youth Theatre online at www.concordyouththeatre.org, or by calling (978) 371-1482.




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