Benjamin Barnes

Benjamin Barnes is a San Francisco-based musician, educator, and entrepreneur who has been a resident of the city since 1988.1 He is the principal owner of Benjamin Barnes Music, offering violin, viola, voice, and guitar lessons.2 Barnes is a versatile artist with experience as a street performer, record producer, published author, music video producer, and filmmaker.1

In 2023, Barnes was awarded the San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artist First Time Grant of $20,000 for his project "Music in Streets and Halls".1 He has collaborated with notable musicians such as Isaac Stern, Graeme Jennings, and Jason Newsted of Metallica.1

Barnes provides music lessons for $75 per hour, offering flexible scheduling and tailoring lessons to students' abilities.2 He has 30 years of teaching experience and teaches various musical styles and techniques.2

As an entrepreneur and disabled artist, Barnes is committed to using his creative voice for positive social change, advocating for causes such as education, ending homelessness, and civil rights for the mentally ill.1