BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A local violinist from Buffalo played in the orchestra during Stevie Wonder’s concert at First Niagara Thursday.

Henri Muhammad said being in the orchestra and meeting Wonder was an outstanding. A once in a lifetime experience.

“He’s one of the icons of music for any genre, classical, contemporary, jazz, funk. He’s definitely the artist that you want to meet in your lifetime,” Muhammad said.

He was asked by the tour manager to play. Muhammad said he listened to Wonder’s music over and over to ensure he hit just the right notes.

“I think he (Wonder) had an idea of what he wanted in his orchestra. Some folks reached out to me and of course, I was much obliged to be a part of a concert like last night.”

Muhammad said the musicians rehearsed for a short time before the concert. “We all came with our own expertise and practice and we put it together.”

Muhammad is a concert violinist, conductor, composer, recording studio artist, as well as the founder and director of Muhammad’s School of Music in Buffalo. The school has been teaching the art of music for 17 years.

“We’ve trained students from as young as 2-years-old to grandparents. We have students who go into professional music. Some go into medicine. Some go into law. It’s just seeing the gift of music as Stevie spoke about last night, and how it can transform lives as an artistic outlet. A cultural outlet. So we’re glad to be part of that experience with hundreds of families across Western New York.”

Muhammad’s School of Music is located at 617 Main Street in Buffalo.