Conversations with Kenn “TubaKenn” Mitchem

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenn “TubaKenn” Mitchem.

Hi Kenn “TubaKenn”, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story begins in 2011. I was a senior at Miller Grove High School, getting ready to graduate and head to Bethune-Cookman University on a full band scholarship. But just before graduation, I got into some trouble that almost cost me my diploma and ended my clean record. My mom was furious and decided to send me to a summer program at Morehouse College—the Pre-Freshman Summer Program (PSP).

During that summer, I had a conversation with one of the deans that shifted my mindset. I decided to give the program my all. I was surrounded by students like me—some who had barely graduated, some accepted on probation, and others just trying to get ahead. By the end of the program, I not only received an acceptance letter to Morehouse, but I also earned one of only five awards handed out that summer. I chose to attend Morehouse on a partial band scholarship.

College life wasn’t easy. I didn’t have the money for room, board, or books. I got creative—taking pictures of textbooks in the bookstore to study and keep up in class. I made connections and eventually got a meal plan at Spelman. I didn’t mind—it pushed me to socialize and network. I was already taking one train and two buses just to get to class each day. Eventually, I got a dorm at ITC, which was more affordable and closer to campus.

Balancing school, band, and a part-time job to pay for necessities was tough. After two years, I burned out and dropped out. That led to a period of depression, job loss, and uncertainty. I moved back in with my mom in 2014 and focused on rebuilding my character. For six months, I barely spoke to anyone—but I used that time to grow.

With a fresh mindset, I transferred to Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), thanks to my old band director from Morehouse who had moved there and offered me a full ride. This time, I had no excuses. It was my first time living away from home—away from my six siblings and both parents—and it was tough. Mississippi was a culture shock. I cried a lot, but I pushed through.

At MVSU, I could finally afford books and housing. I joined clubs, held leadership roles, and made the most of my second chance. One of my proudest moments was becoming a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. I graduated in 2017.

Back in Atlanta, I spent a few years figuring things out—working security, doing barback and hookah jobs in nightlife, Uber/Lyft, and working as a ramp agent at the airport. In 2019, a conversation with my manager at Swissport changed everything. He said, “You’re going to wake up one day and be 40.” That hit me hard but got my mind right and I was on to the next later that year.

With support from my Morehouse network in 2019, I got a job at Amazon Services, LLC and started playing the tuba again—this time for money. I began performing every weekend with The Red Sample, a band that took me all over Atlanta. I now go by TubaKenn and have had the opportunity to perform with Ginuwine, Rick Ross, and Anderson .Paak. Who knew there was a real market for the tuba? I thank God every day that I get to do what I love—and get paid for it.

Still, I felt something was missing. I explored working in lounges again—this time as a manager—but quickly realized that wasn’t for me. Nightlife is wild. People make a lot of money but often don’t know what to do with it. That led me to financial services. I love helping people, so I dove into learning how to make money work for us. I joined Northwestern Mutual and quickly became a top producer in my class—all while still working at Amazon and performing on weekends.

I was being pressured to go full-time with Northwestern, but thankfully I didn’t leave my steady job. Just a month later, they went in a different direction. The experience taught me valuable sales skills and made me realize I just needed the right product to believe in.

In 2022, I finally found my true calling. I’d always volunteered with student musicians, and with the help of some incredible people, I created a plan to help students financially, support their college journeys, and teach them how to be well-rounded musicians. Over the past three years, I’ve developed a more effective way to teach students both musically and academically.

Today, I run a private music studio and teach lessons in DeKalb County at Miller Grove Middle and High Schools. I’m also in the process of launching a nonprofit that will provide affordable private lessons and help students earn full scholarships to play in college bands.

Now, I truly have a vision for my future—and for how I want to give back to the next generation. I’m incredibly grateful for the lessons, hardships, and people who helped push me to be better every step of the way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. One of the biggest challenges was navigating my parents’ divorce after 31 years of marriage. That hit me hard. Being away from my family during that time made it even tougher—I’m extremely close to my siblings, and there were weeks when I didn’t speak to them at all. On top of that, learning how to manage my time was a major struggle. I was involved in several organizations, and between that and performing, I often had to miss at least two classes a week. Balancing it all was difficult, but it taught me a lot about priorities and discipline.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional musician who also works in the corporate world with Amazon Services, LLC. Outside of that, I teach private music lessons and curate live musical experiences—primarily with the group, The Red Sample. They were the ones who really gave me my start in the music industry, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow with them. I play the bass horn/sousaphone (tuba) and help bring energy and rhythm to every performance.

I also have a rental fleet that I run through Turo. My partner and I have six cars ranging from luxury, hybrid and everyday vehicles. We started this in 2023 and want to continue to grow the business.

In January 2025, I launched my own private music studio and began building a student base through Miller Grove Middle and High Schools. Teaching has become just as rewarding as performing—it’s incredible to watch young musicians grow in skill and confidence.

While I specialize in music, those around me would probably say my real strength lies in networking and maintaining strong, healthy relationships. I take pride in being dependable and bringing good energy into every space I’m in.

What I’m most proud of is my journey. I’ve made the most of the cards I was dealt and created a life filled with purpose and joy—one that I’m building not just for myself, but for my future family. What sets me apart is my character, consistency, and positive mindset. I truly believe those traits open more doors than talent alone ever could.

Any big plans?
My ultimate goal is to retire by the age of 42—and if it happens sooner, even better! To get there, I plan to fully invest in running my nonprofit, helping students earn college scholarships through music. I’m passionate about guiding the next generation of musicians, and I’m building a program that not only teaches them how to play their instrument but also sets them up for long-term success in life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tubakenn?igsh=ZXVybHIxZWFjajBs&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/theredsample?igsh=ZnAycGV2MXQ4NXFt

Image Credits
Mo Figgs
Rick Flo
Zach Wicks