Kyle Polhemus

Like many musicians, Kyle Polhemus found the guitar at six, and it has been a nonstop obsession ever since. By twelve he was playing in bands and working through music programs across the Jersey Shore (including performances at the Count Basie Theater) all while practicing four to eight hours a day and, by his own account, doing very little schoolwork. In 2014, a video of him performing with Steve Vai and his band at the inaugural Vai Academy caught the attention of Vai’s online marketing team. Kyle worked for Vai through high school until leaving for Berklee College of Music in 2018, and credits the experience with reinforcing the value of creativity, professionalism, and originality.

The pandemic gave him room to return to a lifelong fascination: expanding the technical and sonic possibilities of the guitar in ways that need to be seen, and heard, to be believed. That ambition mirrors the attitude behind Bonvillain Design Studio’s bombastic, inventive creations, which makes the partnership a natural fit. Touring, recording, teaching, or pushing at the edge of what the instrument can do, Kyle wants to do it on a BDS. His only concern? Being cool enough to play one.