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      Michael W. Charity on August 9, 2011

      Hey Cuz , Congrads on your new CD. Hope to see you when you are in the DC area. Love ya, cuz mike

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      Vicki Charity Moss on August 3, 2011

      Hi Kersten...I'm so glad Mike told me about your new project and that I was able to help you achieve your goal. We are all so very proud of you !! Looking forward to hearing your new album.

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      Christopher John Williams on July 20, 2011

      I look forward to hearing more of your divinely inspired and inspiring creations :)

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      Michelle Drayton on June 28, 2011

      Dear Kersten, I'm so pleased to hear that your vision and goal is a couple of steps away from being realized. Bravo!

      Michelle Drayton, Today's Child magazine

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      Kersten Stevens on June 18, 2011

      Thank you Sharon. Your support is a blessing to me! I pray and know the album will be a favorite of yours!!

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      Sharon R. Wells on June 17, 2011

      Kersten, you are phenomenal and I am so grateful that I have had the pleasure to experience your gift of music. I support your project and wish you much success! I cannot wait to hear your new album! All the best.

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      Kersten Stevens on May 30, 2011

      Thanks Aunt SAN!!!! Love you and appreciate you!

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      Cassandra McMillion on May 28, 2011

      Cassandra McMillion
      Kersten I am excited about this project. I am Looking forward to your SUCCESS and the new album!
      I am proud to be your supporter and Auntie....

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      Kersten Stevens on May 27, 2011

      Thank you Harold :)

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      Kersten Stevens on May 27, 2011

      Hey Everyone!! I am so excited about this week's progress. We're off and running on the road to Inspire ME. this is all really cool and I'm looking forward to picking up momentum!

      please share with friends and family. Each backer inspires another!!

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      Harold Taylor on May 26, 2011

      Inspiring video about "Inspire Me"

193
Backers
$19,311
pledged of $18,500 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding Successful

This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 29, 2011.

Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more

12 Backers

As my thank you, you’ll get an mp3 download of a single from the new InspireME CD before its released AND you'll get a dose of my first inspiration -- an mp3 download of a new, unreleased recording of Master Blaster - my original arrangement (done when I was 16) first inspired me to pursue music! Only Kickstarter backers will get to enjoy :)

Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more

42 Backers

Get the MUSIC! You'll get a digital download of the full album before its released. [plus the above]

Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more

56 Backers

GET INSPIRED! You’ll be sent a signed, physical copy of the album before its released with a personal, handwritten "Thank You" note from me! Also included will be a really cool InspireME wrist-band designed by yours truly [plus everything above]. (For international backers, please add $5 to your pledge to cover shipping)

Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more

24 Backers

GET ACCESS! I'll be presenting a private web-cast concert for Kickstarter backers only! I'll play the entire InspireME album, with the band members and some special guests. I’ll talk about each song, answer questions live and have giveaways for viewers. [plus everything above]

Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more

7 Backers

GET ALL MY MUSIC! Receive autographed, physical copies of two of my other CDs -- Walks of Faith and The Gift. If you already have them, they will make great gifts! You’ll also get the mp3 download of my Night in Tunisia recording, released exclusively to Kickstarter backers. The recording features the Kersten Stevens Quartet, which includes some of the most talented, young jazz players in the NYC jazz scene. [plus everything above].

Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more

25 Backers

GET HAPPY! You'll get a the autographed InspireME project poster. Then I will send you a happy birthday greeting and my special violin rendition of Happy Birthday on your birthday OR on your behalf to a friend on his or her birthday. [plus everything above] See FAQ for more details.

Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more

4 Backers

GET GOLD! You will receive a Limited Edition Gold Album - Signed by all of the producers and artists involved in the project. AND, I’ll send you two bonus physical copies of the InspireME CD to give inspiration away as gifts! [plus everything above minus GET INSPIRED]

Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more

0 Backers • Limited Reward (20 of 20 remaining)

GET CLOSE! FAMILY Award #1: Get 2 VIP tickets for any one CD Release Event plus a personal 30 minute skype chat with me about the album. [plus everything above].

Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more

0 Backers • Limited Reward (20 of 20 remaining)

GET WISDOM! FAMILY Award #2: Get 2 VIP tickets for any one CD Release Event plus a 1 hour music lesson with me (a fantastic option for any musician or lover of music!) [plus everything above].

Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more

3 Backers

GET MINISTRY! I will come to your church and minister during the Sunday morning worship services. The church will be listed as a "Sponsor Who Inspires Me" in the liner notes of the album. Also get the Custom Designed "Inspired" T-shirt, the awards above and either Family Award #1 or #2, for the Pastors/ awardee.

Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more

2 Backers

GET INSPIRATION! You’ll be listed as a "Sponsor Who Inspires Me" in the liner notes of the album AND you’ll get the Custom designed "Inspired" T-Shirt (fitted Women’s sizes AND Basic Tees available). PLUS you’ll get a digital download of my previously unreleased Just Friends MP3. It’s not available anywhere else! [plus all of the above and either Family Award #1 or #2.]

Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more

0 Backers

GET PERSONAL! Intimate Concert #1: I’ll perform an intimate, exclusive acoustic mini-concert at your personal home for up to 25 of your closest friends and family. The concert will include songs from the CD and three songs at your special request, arranged just for the occasion. ALSO -- Your name will be listed under the "Inspiring Partners" section on the Partners page of my NEW website - June 2011. [plus everything above and either Family Award #1 or #2]

Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more

0 Backers

GET PROFESSIONAL! Intimate Concert #2: Similar to the award above - for BUSINESS OWNERS: Your business and/or your name will be listed as an "Inspiring Business" on the Partners page of my NEW website - June 2011. Your logo will appear and the listing will link to your own website. ALSO, I’ll perform an intimate, exclusive acoustic concert at your personal home OR your place of business for your closest friends, family and employees. Give them a treat for working so hard for you! [plus everything above with either Family Award #1 or #2].

Pledge $2,500 or more Pledge $2,500 or more

1 Backer

GET LIVE MUSIC! I’ll come and perform in concert with my band at your church or organization! I will also minister during the Sunday Worship Service and will do a 30 minute Q&A with the youth and young adult ministries, prior to the concert. [plus everything above, either Family Award #1 or #2, and minus Intimate Concert #1 and #2].

Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more

1 Backer

GET IT ALL! Be listed as a producer of the album! Your name will appear as a producer on the OUTSIDE back cover of the album. You’ll get to spend a day in the studio during one of our sessions and have lunch with the band [travel not included]. You’ll receive 10 autographed copies of the album to share (and brag!) with family and friends. PLUS you’ll receive everything above, either of the Intimate Concerts #1 or #2, either Family Award #1 or #2, and minus the public church concert. Oh, and lest I forget, my utmost gratitude and thanks, for many years to come.

Project By

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Connected as Kersten Stevens (1398 friends)

The multi-talented jazz and gospel Violinist Kersten Stevens is “a remarkable innovation of the classical gospel convention. Fun. Lively. Spirited. Incredible!“ (Bowed Radio). Kersten’s musical journey began with classical violin instruction at the age of three. She began studying and performing jazz, gospel and contemporary styles at age fourteen and has since been blessed to be the opening act for President Barack Obama, the legendary Ray Charles, appeared by request of Denzel Washington for the National Boys and Girls Clubs, appeared in 2005 as a featured soloist with Dionne Warwick and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, performed with world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, has studied with violinist John Blake, Jr., and has twice taken Showtime at the Apollo by storm, winning competitions in 2003 and 1999! A recent graduate of the Yale University Class of 2006 with a B.A. in Music and African American Studies, Kersten has excelled from a local star hailing from Stratford, Connecticut to a national buzz-worthy artist.

Kersten’s dynamic improvisational abilities have received a number of awards and recognitions. She was Connecticut’s Holla Back Video Awards’ 2007 Gospel Instrumentalist of the Year and 2008 Gospel Album of the Year Nominee. She was crowned the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen Miss Connecticut 2000 and International 1st runner up and in 2002 was the Gold Medal winner of the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics in the Music/ Instrumental Contemporary category. Also in 2002, she received awards from the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra for musical excellence and from Vivian Ayers-Allen and Phylicia Rischad for her musical accomplishments. Recently, she was awarded for artistic excellence by the Afro- American Cultural Center at Yale University.

Musically gifted. Talented. Poised. Violinist Kersten Stevens has distinguished herself as an artist who will make a significant impact in the world of music and beyond.

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