Cellist, UNC grad Joe Kwon was ready to give up his dream before joining The Avett Brothers

Posted Jan 8, 2016
Joe Kwon was waiting tables when the call came asking him to join The Avett Brothers. “With that phone call, the worst night of my life became the best,” Kwon said. His dream of becoming a professional musician came true. But Kwon’s journey from being a waiter with a computer science degree to cellist for one of the hottest band’s in the country was not always easy. (Associated Press)

Related: Campus Connections

UNC ranks as No. 1 best value public for 21st straight year
UNC-Chapel Hill delivers both excellence and affordability. Ranked No. 4 among public universities and No. 1 for best value among public institutions in the 2026...
Tue Sep 23, 2025

Former UNC Provost Dick Richardson remembered and honored for decades of service, mentorship
Richard “Dick” Richardson, a former UNC faculty member, department chair and provost, died peacefully at his home June 23 at the age of 90. He...
Mon Sep 22, 2025

UNC chemists create cleaner future for tires
Researchers at Carolina have introduced a novel chemical method for breaking down rubber waste. The journal Nature recently published the results of the U.S. Department...
Sun Sep 21, 2025

The history of neighboring towns Chapel Hill and Carrboro
Chapel Hill was founded with the purpose of serving the University. Originally organized by UNC's Board of Trustees, residents first arrived in 1795 — the...
Sat Sep 20, 2025