SUMMER 2019
MARYBETH ’09, M’19 KERN KU graduate assistant cinches
role in international music video and documentary. Page 16 Cover photo by Rachael Wolfe ’17, M ’20 Cover design by Claire Frank ’19
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BY ESTHER SHANAHAN DESIGN BY JORDAN SCHNUR ‘19
Although
Marybeth Kern ’09, M’19 recently secured a spot as a featured artist in GRAMMY-nominated rapper Logic’s groundbreaking music video, you won’t see her vying to become a contestant on “America’s Got Talent.” This KU grad student is all about collaboration.
SUMMER 2019 0
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A
multiple woodwind instru-
a song, and built it up from there. I received a call
mentalist and composer, Marybeth Kern is a triple
about my availability because they wanted to bring
threat who can play the flute, saxophone and clarinet,
selected musicians to listen to the track in Los
and believes that creativity and collaboration, not
Angeles. When we got to L.A. they surprised us!
competition, form the foundation of the most
We were making a music video, we were making it
compelling art.
today, and they were using Logic’s videographer, Andy Hines.”
“There’s great power in collaboration,” Kern explained. “The best art I’ve experienced has come through
Along with appearing in the “Do What You Love”
multiple people: their ideas, their creativity, and the
music video, Kern was featured in the YouTube
harmony of making something together. It’s rewarding
Originals special “Band Together with Logic,” which
when you experience other’s ideas, and learn and
documented the creative process leading to the
grow – you don’t get that from working alone.
culmination of the video. She was also chosen to join five other collaborators and Gordon-Levitt at
Kern began to see the appeal in collective art after
the South by Southwest Music Festival, where the
joining Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s online platform,
video premiered. Although her meteoric rise as a
HITRECORD, in 2012. The site, which aims to connect
freelance musician seems extraordinary, it’s part of
likeminded creators, serves as a virtual community
an organic process: do what you love, say ‘yes’ to
for members to work on videos, songs, text pieces
every opportunity that comes your way, be humble
and artwork together. Users can build on each other’s
and stay grateful. With a lot of talent and a little
content, or access it as inspiration for their own –
serendipity, dreams do come true. It’s how Kern
it’s about being creative together, in a nurturing
became the only student to ever work with jazz
online environment. While writing a paper for one
legend, David Sanborn.
of her graduate classes, Kern noticed one of Gordon-Levitt’s tweets announcing a joint venture
A DREAM COME TRUE
with global phenomenon Logic, and inviting people from around the world to contribute. Heeding the call,
After graduating from Kutztown, Kern was on tour
she listened to James Brown songs for inspiration, and
with Cirque Dreams [Illumination] when her former
recorded some tracks. That was just the beginning.
professor, Dr. Jeremy Justeson, got in touch with an invitation to attend a master class on campus with
“Two other musicians (HITRECORD username
esteemed musician Allen Won. During a break from
FoxandMew) took my horn lines and integrated it
tour, Kern seized the occasion to return and listen
into a fun and interesting track,” Kern recalled.
to Won play. Awestruck with his performance, she
“Logic hand-selected by ear what he would put in
took a chance and asked to study with him.
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Won agreed, and later recommended she
and skill won’t mean much if you miss out on your
purchase an exquisite vintage Selmer Mark VI
‘big break’ because trying something new was
saxophone. She did. New York City based saxophone
intimidating. Saying ‘yes’ to Cirque in 2009 took her
repair artist Bill Singer was overhauling the horn
around North America on a national tour, to a
for Kern when Sanborn gave it a test run. Then
Norwegian Epic cruise ship with the Blue Man
something unbelievable happened.
Group, and lately to Japan, performing at United States air bases as part of Armed Forces
“I was just sitting and drinking a coffee, when he
Entertainment (Cirque Dreams Stars & Stripes).
called and asked to purchase the saxophone, because he loved it,” Kern recalled. “After a lot of thinking I agreed, and he graciously agreed to trade his saxophone for mine, and take me on as a student! It’s been a great relationship – he’s sent tickets so I could see him play, and invited me over for lessons – that’s mind blowing to me.”
FORGING AHEAD After becoming a member of the first cohort to earn an online master’s degree in music education from Kutztown, Kern is eyeing another KU degree for the future, perhaps this time a Master of Fine Arts in communication design (CD).
“ I was just sitting and drinking a coffee, when David Sanborn called and asked to purchase my saxophone, because he loved it.” WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, ANSWER According to Kern, it’s imperative to constantly juggle projects – if you don’t get an audition after a callback, or secure a gig, there will be something else to fall back on. She takes her own advice; and is currently in two different wedding bands; records remotely from her home in New Jersey; and is working on a pop music workout cd with a
More than a decade ago, Kern was at an educational crossroads, intending to major in CD, but switching to clarinet right before school began. Recently, an individualized instruction with KU professor Dannell Macllwraith reignited her passion for design, and revealed how crucial photography, typography and Adobe Illustrator can be in cultivating a brand. One thing is certain – there’s a world of possibilities ahead – and it all began with choosing Kutztown.
producer in Los Angeles. It isn’t only luck which
“I absolutely attribute Kutztown, my professors,
has landed Kern a multitude of spectacular gigs,
and my time at the school to succeeding as an
including a position on the National Broadway tour
independent artist,” Kern declared. “They taught
of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and
me so much. If I had gone to a different school
as the baritone sax for the major motion picture
I’m not sure I would have gotten the one-on-one
“Buffaloed” score, composed by Matthew Margeson,
attention I received. I felt like all of my professors
of “Rocketman.” When opportunity knocks, she
really cared about my future and prepping me for
answers, and the response is always ‘yes.’ Versatility
a freelance career – I loved it.”
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