Today we’d like to introduce you to Preston Charles III.
Hi Preston, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Preston Charles III
Born in 1982 in the West End, when my dad started working in the funeral business when I was 4, we moved to Silverton.
I learned beginning music in kindergarten up to the 3rd grade playing recorder and learning to read music. In the 4th grade I was learning piano from a private teacher, the next year all of my siblings started lessons too.
While still in love with music, but not the piano, I went after the opportunity to join band class. I wanted to learn the saxophone; but with 4 siblings and an old flute my aunt didn’t care for anymore, I had to learn the flute.
One day I was watching Sesame Street and I saw a guy named Itzjak Pearlman talking to Elmo about the violin, and I knew my purpose and passion at the very moment, to play the violin.
I started lessons and from then on continued to learn and grow, as a budding professional, there is still a lot of learning to do. My teacher, hosted our first concert (siblings and I) during black history month at Music Hall, dressed as angels, playing “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”
Went to Walnut Hills in 96’ and joined their strings program into I graduated. During my time there, I got to play for the King of Spain (in Spain), play at Carnegie Hall, and St Peter’s in the Fields.
I did not choose to stay with the orchestra path when I went to college and the musical journey began to mature:
Music Hall Performance in 1993 MC – Clyde Gray
Violinist training under Gloria Wallace “Cincinnati Fun Fiddlers”
Performed for the King of Spain (rep. Of WHHS orch.) 1997
St. Martins in the Fields Performance (1st American Highschool) 2000
Carnegie Hall Performance – 2001
Chapman Amatuer Musician Award – BGSU
First paid wedding performance 2006
2007 First band gig – Mt Adams
First co-created band – Mandarin (played at Stanley’s Pub and Mad Frog)
Twig and Leaf/ Two-Tone with A. Mcpheters, Brian, and Char
Played with Skillful Reckoner
Mainstage at Findlay Market (Christian Moerlein Biergarten)
Bockfest Parade 2015
Backstage Cafe
Performed with Rumpke Mountain Boys
Performer at the Wham Bam Thank You Jam
Performer at Geek Out
Composer of music for Pones
Formed the band 1819
Duet as “Shady Sun”
Queen City Sausage Festival Music Contest Winner
Various 3CDC performances
Original Art on Vine performer
Fuel Final Friday music shows
Host of “Breaking Chains”
Founder of Make It Happen Music LLC
GigSalad Top Performer
Co-host of “Off Da Block Mondays”
Founding member of Queen City Buskers
Founding member of Treble Makers
Performed with Jess Lamb (winner of 2016 Cincinnati Music Awards)
Started busking in 2006 – Busking became approved and endorsed by the city of Cincy in 2012
Played in a trio with Twig and Leaf
Played with Jerry’s Little Band at the Madison
Learned to repair and sell violins in 2015
Current violinist for B&B Riverboats
Performer and Presenter for The Cincinnati Maker Faire
Teacher for Playthink (2019)
Andrew Fairbanks Band
Musician at Findlay Yoga
Violinist for “Elevate Cincinnati” Yoga retreat
Resident Violinist/ Musician of the YWCA Art Gallery
Interim teacher for Winton Woods Summer Camp
Performer for Path of the Pisces
Music Support for “Golden Goddess”
Community Art Partner with the Art Academy of Cincinnati
Luthier training at Antonio Violins in Kenwood
Presenter for Science behind the Sound
Composer and arrangements for Impact 100
MLK Day performer
The Knot Vendor/ Performer
City Wide Kwanzaa (Cincinnati)
Part-Time Assistant with Aligned Jewelry
Co-Creator of PLow to Chow (Cincinnati’s first farm to table event) $10k raised for the Freestore Foodbank
Cincinnati Music Accelerator Performer and Partner
Art on the Streets Performer
Musician for Mercy Health (Bond Hill)
Musician for the Black Journalist Awards (Cincinnati)
Performer for Because You Matter
Performer and co-curator of music at Fuel Art Gallery/ Final Fridays
Second Sunday on Main Performer
Duke Energy Convention Ctr (Jewel Wellness Event)
Blink 2019 Performer
3CDC Performer (DBL Farmers Market)
Busker at Findlay Market
Busking Teacher
Violin Teaching currently 3 students of 3 + yrs. continuously (1 of which is starling consideration)
Co-Composer and advisor of Cincinnati Hip Hop Orchestra
Co-founder of Interdependent Entertainment
Performed at P&G music stage
Duo with Tom Bodner of “Here Come Here”
Performed with Kristen Kreft of the Perfect Children
Tacqueria Mercado
Violinist for TRU choir
1st chair for the Ginghamsburg Church Christmas Celebration
Composer of music for a Preston Charles Funeral Home commercial
Hyde Park Farmers Market
Music Off Music McMillan
Featured artist at MOTR PUB
Violinist for IN2ITIV3
Volunteer/ Tutor/ Musician for Heroes R Forever
Hosted Open Mics (Brickside – Louisville, The Calle – Mt. Adams)
Written music for a commercial
Acted in a commercial in 2017 for H.O.M.E still broadcasted locally
Spokesperson and Civic Engagement with AMOS and OOC
Music co-creation for Motel X
Performer and Composer for the Clean Water Symposium
Performed for fringe Festival
Celebrity shout outs from:
Cris Collinsworth
Jan Kearney
Ron Whitehead
Eric Kearney
Certifications:
Suzuki Book 5 and prior
Essential Elements Completion
Quality Assurance for Violin family luthier work
SuccessThrough Communication Graduate (Hubbard Dianetics Foundation)
Book 1 Auditor
Basic Level Supervisor Cert. (Hubbard Dianetics Foundation)
HIPPA Certified
PCI Compliance Certification
Security Clearance Level 1
Computer and Network Diagnostic and Repair Certification (Staples Inc)
Trauma Recovery Certification
Civic Engagement Certification
Marshall Certification
Family Honors:
Father – Owner of Preston Charles Funeral Home, Black Achiever Award, POCWA award recipient, member of African American Chamber of Commerce, C.E.G member
Mother – Public School teacher, humanitarian, tutor, child care provider
Brother – Former Tesla Design Engineer, former Bath Engineer
Eldest Sister – IRS, Accountant for Preston Charles Funeral Home
Middle Sister – IRS, First Lady of Pentecostal Church in Maryland, Radio DJ
Youngest Sister – Founder of Qreations Culinary aka Chef Snapper, Cook for Kenwood Country Club
Affiliate Organizations:
Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
African American Chamber of Commerce
Urban Consulate
Cincinnati Music Accelerator
Hubbard Dianetics Foundation
Impact 100
LWV
YWCA
YMCA
Cincinnati Recreation Commission
Pones Inc.
AAC
Amati’s Fine Instruments
Street Vibes
The Amos Project
The OOC
Blackfork Strategies
CSSJ
Woody Myers for Governor (Indiana)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was never smooth, but neither is the planet we live in and on. No one believed the music could be my career, and being a “minority”, I had to problem solve and be really creative without much initial support. I was choosing a path that no one I knew could relate to.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create and perform music, primarily through the violin. I specialize in “making it happen”, meaning adding improv to planning and performance to fit in and provide an additional audio quality to the atmosphere and mood. I am known for smiling, using a “looper” to perform live, and musicianship being a community, form of expression, and responsibility. I am most proud of being able to be a good father, reaffirm my faith in the path I have chosen, and making an impact in the lives of others, all the while being able to observe and be thankful for it. I don’t exactly what sets me apart from others, everyone is unique, my peers would have to answer that question.
What matters most to you? Why?
Progress of self and others.
Contact Info:
- Email: pbcharlesiii@gmail.com
- Website: www.makeithappenmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Preston_bell_charles_iii
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preston.b.charlesiii
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/pbviolin
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/PrestonCharles
Image Credits
Preston Bell Charles III
