On Saturday, September 29, Settlement Music School’s Fall Open House featured a special guest appearance by Settlement alumnus Kevin Eubanks at the Mary Louise Curtis Branch in Queen Village, one of the School’s six Open House locations that day.

The free masterclass by guitarist and composer Kevin Eubanks was open to students of all ages and skill levels. Eubanks is well known as the former Music Director of The Tonight Show band, appearing on the show for 18 years (1992-2010).  He studied violin and trumpet at Settlement in the 1960s, and continues to value the importance of an arts education in a person’s life.

“Music is one of the few things that is taught in schools that require you to work with other people, to listen to other people… all of these are the prerequisites for you being successful in whatever it is you are doing,” Eubanks said. “Once you become a student of music, you become a student of everything else at the same time.”

Kevin studied at Settlement’s Germantown Branch with his brothers Robin and Duane.  His mother, Vera, taught music for 35 years and has served on the Settlement Board.