Joy Black, embarked on her extraordinary musical journey when she first cradled a violin at the age of 13. Inspired by world-renowned violinist Vanessa-Mae during her teenage years, Joy yearned to follow in her footsteps and explore the world through music.

A classically trained violinist with over 12 years of experience, Joy’s talent knows no bounds. She seamlessly blends the world of classical music with contemporary genres, including Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, and more, enchanting audiences of all backgrounds with her violin.

Joy has taken her enchanting melodies to stages around the globe, performing for thousands all over the world. Her musical prowess has graced prestigious events such as Superbowl 53 for the New England Patriots, Ford Motor Company, Gatorade, CBS, ESSENCE Magazine, and more. She even enchanted Prince Yoel and Princess Ariana of Ethiopia and performed for the spiritual luminary Sadhguru during his historic Save Soil journey.

Joy’s musical journey also includes a coveted six-month residency at Busch Gardens in Virginia, where she dazzled as the featured solo violinist performing for thousands of people a week. Her illustrious career includes memorable collaborations, including a music video with Latto and performances at influential events like ESSENCE Magazine’s and Ford Motor Company’s “My City 4 Ways” event, and Quality Control record label CEO Pierre “P” Thomas celebrity birthday ball.

Beyond the stage and screen, Joy gives back, frequently visiting schools and volunteering at youth organizations to inspire the next generation. Her multifaceted journey also includes appearances on America’s Got Talent commercials, FOX’s The Resident and The Gifted, NPR Tiny Desk, and TEDx Deer Park Women. Joy Black is more than a musician; she is a living testament to the transformative power of pursuing one’s dreams.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Violinist Joy Black to discuss the inspiration behind her music and what she hopes young listeners takeaway from her sound.

 Can you share more about your early experiences with the violin and how it became your passion despite facing bullying and doubt from others?

When I was in high school, the violin served as more of a stress reliever. Whenever I had a bad day in school, I would go home and play my violin for hours, putting the negative energy from the bullying and transforming it into positive energy by expressing myself with music. The more I did that, the better I got and over time I just knew I wanted to pursue being a professional violinist. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. 

Your teacher discouraged you from pursuing a career as a violinist. How did you handle that criticism, and what advice do you have for others facing similar discouragement in pursuing their dreams?

When my violin teacher from my senior year in High School told me that I wouldn’t make money being a professional violinist, I was really hurt because he was my teacher so I really looked up to him. Also, since he was an adult, it made me feel even worse about pursuing music since he had more experience in life than me. Being a Black girl and not seeing any videos of Black women playing the violin in extravagant concerts, I figured the odds for opportunities would be minimal for me. I would say for anyone that may be experiencing what I experienced, still set high goals and standards for yourself in life even if no one believes in you. A lot of the time I kept most of my major goals to myself and only expressed my goals to people that had similar aspirations in life as me or to people that have achieved the things that I would like to achieve. 

You’ve achieved significant success, performing at high-profile events and for notable clients. Can you share some highlights from your career so far and how those experiences have shaped you as an artist?

 I started out street performing as a teen to playing for government officials, celebrities, major companies, etc… With about 12 years of live performance experience, I have learned that no matter what city I am in or who I’m playing for, my overall goal is to give the audience an unforgettable experience. I put 100% effort into my shows whether I’m doing something big or small. There aren’t many Black violinists doing what I do so, I make sure to represent us the best way I can, paving the way so others coming up can also see that it’s possible. Some of my favorite live performances have to be when I played for Prince Joel and Princess Ariana of Ethiopia and for Latto’s Tiny Desk Concert. 

Your choice of the electric violin is unconventional for classical musicians. What drew you to this instrument, and how has it allowed you to explore different musical genres?

I love being different and doing things that most people haven’t seen before. I have an LED electric violin that can change colors. I always change the colors to match my outfits and look super fly. For large stage performances, it’s a must to have one so I can easily plug into the sound system instead of playing an acoustic violin and having to play in front of a mic. With the electric violin, I can also use effects pedals to change how my violin sounds. I can even make it sound like a cello if I wanted, which is very convenient for studio sessions to give different elements for a song. 

Being a trailblazer in your field, breaking stereotypes, and challenging preconceived notions can be challenging. How do you navigate these challenges, and what message do you hope to send to others who may face similar barriers?

 My mental health is one of my #1 priorities. When I think well I do well, and not so much when I’m worried about whether people like me or not. While I’m performing, I think to myself in my head “I’m the best violinist in the world.” and “I sound amazing.” When I started hyping myself up first before valuing other people’s thoughts over my own, I realized that I perform a lot better. I would say to anyone that experiences criticism like me – always create a strong and highly confident inner voice for yourself, no matter if you believe it or not. Over time, you will actually believe the thoughts that you are telling yourself and you will realize that negative comments don’t matter anymore. 

You’re often the first black violinist many people have seen. How do you use this platform to inspire others, especially young people of color, to pursue their passions?

Like mentioned earlier, I make sure I represent well performing in rooms, big or small, to pave the way for others that are up and coming. I always stay true to myself playing the music that I love. You’d be surprised most of these fancy and elegant events don’t want me to play classical music, they want me to turn up and play Hip-Hop. I love inspiring the youth, visiting the schools and sharing my story on how I was bullied to now traveling the world. Even if they aren’t trying to pursue music, I still love to tell them that anything is possible no matter what. I get messages all the time from parents telling me that their kid has started taking violin lessons after seeing me, and it makes my heart melt every time.

As someone who embraces individuality, what advice do you have for young people struggling to be themselves in a world filled with societal expectations and pressures, especially with the influence of social media?

When you’re young and in school, it’s very easy to think that the whole world will treat you how your classmates treat you. I had to work on reprogramming my thinking from being at school by myself at the lunch table to going to networking events, thinking that no one wants to talk to me or work with me. There is a whole world to explore out there, so you are bound to meet people that vibe with you.

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?

 A pretty woman that hustles is a woman that looks fly while getting to the bag, and knows that she’s worth having a seat at the table just by being herself.

Connect with Joy online:

 www.joyblackviolinist.com https://www.instagram.com/blacksworld/?hl=en.