BIOGRAPHY

Kevin Bennear
Email:  kevinb16@verizon.net

   
   Kevin was born in Elk Garden, a small coal mining town in West Virginia. Bennear’s musical inspiration was his father, a World War II veteran, who, while serving in an artillery unit in the United States Army, volunteered his spare time and musical talents to entertain the troops. As a young man, Kevin’s first solos were sung at his local church. Raised in an economically depressed region, the scholarship he received at a small local college enabled him to study music. From there he moved to West Virginia University where he attended under a full voice scholarship, and after graduating W.V.U. with honors Bennear then performed with several theatres including the Christian based theatre Sight and Sound and Theatre West Virginia. He was then offered an assistantship at the University of Tennessee where he performed with the Knoxville Opera Company. 

   After receiving his master’s degree from U.T., he assumed the position of Baritone Vocal Soloist with the "President’s Own" United States Marine Band. In this capacity Bennear has sung for two U.S. Presidents, is a regular performer at White House State Dinners, and performs for dignitaries and heads of state from all around the world. He has appeared as a soloist along with Toby Keith and Larry Gatlin, on a PBS national production entitled "In Performance at the White House", and was the featured soloist on Nightline’s production featuring "The President’s Own". Bennear’s most memorable performing moment is "Singing the National Anthem on September 11th 2002, one year following the attack on America, as President Bush unfurled the flag over the restored Pentagon." But Kevin’s real passion is music ministry. 

   "What could be more meaningful than making music that exalts and glorifies the One who gave us life, who gives us mercy daily, and who sent his Son to make the ultimate sacrifice so we may have life everlasting with our great God." Kevin is excited about coming to First Lutheran, and knows God has great things for this wonderful family in Christ.