Ernie De Silva, Program Director (BSAC) – Mr. De Silva is a product of the Bushwick housing projects in Brooklyn, New York. It was on those street corners that Ernie got his first tastes of life in front of live audiences. As Ernie grew, so did his love for performing. Inspired by Flip Wilson, Freddie Prinze, and Richard Pryor, he did stand-up comedy at places like Stand Up New York, The Comic Strip, and the Comedy Cellar. To add his love of music to his performing repertoire, and inspired by Andres Segovia, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Son House, and Jimi Hendrix, he taught himself to play guitar in styles which range from classical to blues. Ernie became the first member of his family to graduate college. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Acting from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and an MFA from the University of Southern California, where he was awarded the only full scholarship in his class. It was during his time at USC that Ernie developed his award-winning, world-traveled, solo stage show, Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame.
