UWL lecturer performs at "Queen of Funk" singer Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival
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University of West London lecturer and alumna Agata Kubiak-Kenworthy recently played violin at the last night celebration for Chaka Khan’s Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall. The concert was "A Celebration of 50 Years in Music" for the American "Queen of Funk" Chaka Khan, best known for singing ‘I’m Every Woman’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’ – her platinum-selling single with funk band Rufus.
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Agata played with innovative ensemble Nu Civilisation Orchestra, alongside string, brass and woodwind orchestras, a gospel choir, and Chaka’s band, rhythm section and backing singers. It was an evening of hits to celebrate Chaka’s career which includes 10 GRAMMYs, her 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and music sales and downloads in excess of 100 million.
The concert was fantastic fun and very over the top,”
says Agata.
Chaka came to rehearse with us two days out of the three, which was an amazing experience. She is lovely and very down to earth.”
Agata is a Lecturer for MMus Music Performance students at UWL’s London College of Music (LCM). Before joining the staff, she did a BMus in violin, a MMus in singing and a PhD in new music collaborations, all at LCM.
Agata is part of a jazz group and runs the monthly Harrow Jazz Night. She has an album out, another on the way, and does session work.
LCM offers such versatile opportunities to students. We train them to have a practical outlook on life as a musician, mixing various influences from different music genres without the need to confine themselves to one in particular,”
she said.
Dr Liz Pipe, Head of Music Performance at LCM, commented:
Agata is a fantastic member of staff. Her work exemplifies both the professional levels at which our staff perform and demonstrates how our graduates navigate the traversing nature of the industry working across the classical and popular genres.”
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