on
December 4, 2014
On Campus
On a chilly December afternoon former OCC student Ben Mauro heated up the campus with hot guitar riffs and good advice for current students. Mauro is a former OCC music major and highly sought-after live guitar player who has spent the last 15 years touring with Lionel Richie. Mauro came to campus in May and held a question-and-answer session with students in Academic II's spectacular Instrument and Choral Rehearsal room.
This time Mauro met with students in Storer Auditorium and he brought his guitar with him. Mauro played some of his original music and some Lionel Richie songs as well. He answered questions from students and told them how he grew up in nearby Camillus, went to West Genesee High School and came to OCC. After years of working seven days a week and playing in dozens of bands he made his way to the top. Mauro encouraged students to think big. "Whatever your dream is, it's possible. You don't have to be rich. You don't have to be from a big city. Love what you want to be and be persistent."
While he is back in Central New York, Mauro will play a concert at Syracuse's Palace Theater where he will release his solo CD.
