Congratulations to Samantha and Lucas, two 15-year old musicians enrolled in the Rockit Live Foundation’s Academy at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ. These young musicians each received an electric guitar courtesy of the Guitar Center Foundation and Mitchell Guitars, presented by Janie Hendrix at the recent Experience Hendrix Tour performance on April 2nd.
Samantha was first awarded a scholarship in 2015 from the Rockit Live Foundation where she was learning to play bass guitar. Through the program, Samantha has had the opportunity to share the stage with Steven Van Zandt, Eddie Brigati and many others.
Lucas, originally from Cuenca, Ecuador has studied classical guitar for many years and has looked towards the stylings of many electric guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and Eric Johnson.
Congratulations Samantha and Lucas. Keep playing the music and stay experienced!
#HendrixTour #JimiHendrix #ExperienceHendrix
photos by Mark Weiss
Featured: Lucas Polo, Bruce Gallipani, Janie Hendrix, Samantha Balewitz at the Count Basie Center
Janie Hendrix presenting Samantha Balewitz her honorary guitar, Lucas Polo also featured
Janie Hendrix, Samantha Balewitz, and Lucas Polo
Taj Mahal with Samantha Balewitz and Lucas Polo
Joe Satriani with Samantha Balewitz and Lucas Polo
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth signing Samantha Balewiz’s guitar
Dave Mustaine of Megadeth with Lucas Polo
Dweezil Zappa with Lucas Polo, Samantha Balewitz, and Bruce Gallipani
Chris “Whipper” Layton of Double Trouble with Lucas Polo and Samantha Balewitz
Calvin Cooke of The Slide Brothers, Mato Nanji of Indigenous, Lucas Polo, and Samantha Balewitz
