91制片厂

A specialist in the early folk music of Black Americans and a skilled performer of spirituals, blues, and string band repertoire, Blount was introduced to the banjo during his first semester at Hamilton. It’s how he connected with Lydia Hamessley, the Eugene M. Tobin Distinguished Professor of Music, who then became his advisor as he designed his own course of study focused on the early traditional music of Black communities in the United States.

In the decade since first arriving on College Hill, Blount graduated with a degree in ethnomusicology (through Hamilton’s interdisciplinary concentration), released three albums, earned the famed Steve Martin Banjo Prize (2020), and has been a two-time winner of the Appalachian String Band Music Festival (better known as Clifftop). His work has been praised by and earned him performances at venues including the Kennedy Center, Newport Folk Festival, the Library of Congress, and .

Hamilton alumni often return to campus because they are passionate about supporting students. While on College Hill, they frequently share professional expertise and personal experiences, speak in classes, offer lectures, recruit, host workshops, and meet individually with students. During the last academic year, more than 430 alumni helped students through the College’s Career Center with many providing internships, job-shadowing opportunities, and other career-related experiences.

In addition to Blount, here is just a sampling of alumni who recently came back to Hamilton.