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Pop violinist to perform for free at BTC

JANESVILLE — It's too early to tell whether Josh Vietti is a major talent with staying power or another flash in the pan, but local music lovers can bask in his flash Thursday at Blackhawk Technical College.

Vietti plays violin like few others. He has grafted pop and hiphop onto his classical roots. The free concert is set for noon Thursday.

Stephanie Williams of BTC Student Services called the event "a rare opportunity not to be missed."

Vietti is described as a musical prodigy who took up the violin at age 4. CBS-Los Angeles named him "one of 2012's Best Breakout Artists."

According to CBS Los Angeles website, Vietti creates "a hip, crowd-pleasing universe that synthesizes to perfection the trend-setting resonance of the baroque and classical eras with the memorable melodies of modern-day pop culture."

Vietti has performed on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and opened for Ne-Yo and Earth, Wind & Fire, but he first made his mark as a street musician in Santa Monica, where he is said to have sold nearly 50,000 CDs from the trunk of his car.

Vietti studied from age 7 to 17 with Los Angeles Philharmonic's Mischa Lefkowitz.

"Vietti's chest-thumping, foot-stomping and finger-snapping technique to incorporate country, gospel, pop, jazz and hip-hop into his brilliant routine has placed this whiz of music arrangement into a pulsating category all his own," according to CBS Los Angeles.

Vietti will be available for photos and autographs for a short time after the concert.