Violin
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Kenneth Kittrell began his musical journey in 2008 at the age of nine, when he started playing the violin in the fourth grade at Arts & Technology Public Charter School under the instruction of Mrs. Elise Cuffy-Sharp, a cellist. In middle school, from 2010 to 2013, he expanded his instrumental skills by taking up the double bass at KIPP DC: KEY Academy, where he studied under Mrs. Dawn Johnson, a violist. Recognizing his dedication and potential, Mrs. Johnson recommended him for a scholarship to attend the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts summer program in 2011. There, Kenneth was introduced to formal music theory and gained invaluable experience performing in a full orchestral setting.
Kenneth continued to deepen his musical training at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where he majored in Instrumental Music and graduated with the class of 2017. Under the guidance of violinist Ms. Heather Haughn, he concentrated on violin performance and received advanced instruction in music theory, chamber music, and orchestral repertoire. During his time at Duke Ellington, he performed in a variety of ensembles, including full orchestra, string orchestra, and chamber groups, and participated in numerous local and national events, including DCPS competitions and a collaborative performance tour in 2014 with the Orange County and Denver School of the Arts orchestras in Denver, Colorado.
Kenneth Kittrell is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Pre-Certification) at the University of the District of Columbia. Alongside his academic pursuits, he remains an active presence in the music world as a performer and recording artist, combining his classical foundation with a passion for artistic innovation and community engagement.