We are proud to host another Music Master Mentor Program this July with Grammy Award-winning bassist Bakithi Kumalo, Dan Andree, and June Thomas Fraser. This spring, area middle and high school student musicians applied to join these award-winning mentors for a free weeklong camp to explore improvisation, learn professional techniques, and exercise their creativity. Camp held daily beginning Monday July 22 - Friday July 26 from 1pm-5pm. Questions? Please contact Education Engagement Coordinator Lenore Pitsilos lsp319@lehigh.edu | 610-758-5774 or Ticket Services 610-758-2787, x0, open Tue - Fri from 11am-3pm.
This weeklong camp is free, thanks to the generous support of Brenda and John McGlade '76 '81G.
ABOUT BAKITHI KUMALO pron: Bah-gee-tee Koo-ma-low
Bakithi Kumalo is the legendary bass player for Paul Simon and a Grammy award-winning bassist, composer and vocalist. His musical career has been characterized by a series of serendipitous events, ranging from his debut gig as a precocious seven-year-old filling in for the bassist in his uncle's band to his enlistment into Paul Simon's group during the recording sessions of the pop star's landmark Graceland album in 1985.
In addition to performing both nationally and internationally, Bakithi Kumalo now presents collegiate, community, and middle to high school music mentorship and arts-education programming.
Music has the power to transport us to another time and place and Kumalo loves to harness that power with fellow music lovers and passionate musicians alike. Ever since a young age, Bakithi has found great joy and satisfaction by being involved in the creative music process and now he wants to infuse the music and lives of our youth with that same passion and enthusiasm and to offer them tips about how to succeed in the music industry.