Damien Escobar Kicks Off Summer with Charity Concert in Jamaica, Queens

On June 15th, 2013, EMMY Award winning violinist Damien "Dame" Escobar kicked off the summer by gracing the stage at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, raising $50K to help send underprivileged youth to summer camp. With every note he played, Damien captivated his audience and fed their souls with his gift of music. Escobar gives back to his community through his foundation called Violins against Violence, by sitting on the board of directors for the Jamaica, Queens YMCA, and participating in global charity initiatives for UNICEF. He says, "As a kid growing up in Jamaica Queens, the YMCA offered me an outlet where I had a place to go to have positive influences and role

As a young African American male growing up in the inner city, Damien faced many obstacles while also learning to play an instrument of privilege. Playing their violins throughout NYC subways, a young Damien and his older brother Tourie used their tips to supplement the income of their single mother. At the tender age of 9, Damien was accepted into the exclusive Julliard School of Music. The road seemed to be looking up for Escobar as he studied violin alongside some of the best in the world.

Despite his immense talent and support from his mother, the musical prodigy soon found comfort in the streets instead of the strings of his violin. Through all the troubles and challenges he faced, Damien was continuously haunted by the sound of music. He made a conscious effort to turn his life around, which started by finishing school and, naturally, picking up his violin again. Through Nuttin' But Stringz, the violin duo of Damien and Tourie, the Escobar brothers went on to sell more than one million albums, earn two Emmy awards, perform for two U.S. presidents, place 3rd on season three of America's Got Talent, and secure endorsements. After 10 years of success and the strong desire to make his own music, Damien began working on his solo career.

Since embarking on his solo pilgrimage, Escobar has performed at high-profile events including Russell Simmons' Hip Hop Inaugural Ball and the Indy Car 2012 Championship Awards Banquet. The May 7release of his mixtape, Sensual Melodies, set off a media firestorm, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Damien Escobar is now ready to debut a fresh catalogue of new material for music lovers everywhere to savor and enjoy. His new campaign going forward is themed, "I Am Me," a mantra that describes his new philosophy towards life - and also doubles as the title of his new album and 2014 World Tour.

To accompany the rollout of all Damien's new music, this New York Philharmonic virtuoso is also embarking on an all-out publicity blitz, including hiring the illustrious PR Firm CRAFT Agency, and booking appearances around the globe. Escobar says, "Ever since I heard the violin as a boy, I was intrigued that an instrument could exist that sounded like the voice of a living person, and I was truly in love. To this day, I treasure that revelation and gift. My violin is the voice I use to inspire and spread love to everyone I play for."

Get ready to be inspired.

Follow Damien on Twitter www.twitter.com/dameesco, like him on Facebook www.facebook.com/dameesco, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/dameesco.

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