Musical Experience

As a composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, I have always believed that one note can change the mood in anyone. Currently a student in the founding class of the Faculty of Composition at the Young Guildhall Artists’ London Centre for Young Musicians, under instruction of Ehud Freedman and Nathan James Dearden; I have continued to study music technology, Gamelan, Jazz Harmony, Voice and the Piano at the Centre, taught by Sorana Santos and Ed West. I recently received an award from the Leverhulme Trust to continue my studies at the Centre for Young Musicians. I have written music for several ensembles including the London Schools’ Chamber Orchestra and the Purcell School, and I am currently working on multiple scores both for the Royal Holloway, University of London Choir and University of Essex Drama Group. During my time here, I have also collaborated with friends and colleagues in creating new and innovative music.

My musical interest stems from a young age, specifically age 5 when I began piano and recorder lessons under my church organist and choir master, Nathan Mathurin. I wrote my first composition a few weeks afterwards - a very simple piece consisting of 3 tones played in a syncopated rhythm. Since then, I have come far, working with internationally-renowned composers such as Judith Weir CBE (Master of the Queen’s Music), Sir George Benjamin and several Royal College and Royal Academy scholars in order to better understand both the music industry, and different compositional techniques. I work part-time as a studio engineer at Elements Bound Music Studio in London, working with professionals across genres to teach classical-inspired composition and music production at the studio. I have received support from numerous organisations and charities, including the Foundation for Young Musicians, the Leverhulme Trust, National Youth Arts’ Trust, the European String Teachers’ Association, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and The Purcell School.

I am a musician at heart, always have been, and always will be. I have always had an interest in music both for myself, but also for the betterment of the community, performing the piano at Elderly and Care Homes across London, inspiring me to go into Medicine. I have also performed in recitals at train stations both in the UK, United States and throughout Europe. I have performed on the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Cruise Ship and Disneyland, as well as other places around the world. Since being awarded the European String Composer of the Year in 2015, I participated in a music leadership course by the Chineke! Foundation in Walthamstow, North London, enhancing my skills in music pedagogy, the Alexander Technique and music composition. By 2018, I received a music award and leadership award from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, after participating in the Armed Forced Day Celebrations in Kent Wing Band. My piece - Islands, inspired by traditional music from Javanese Gamelan and Trinbagonian Soca music, was featured in Kano Computing’s, ‘Anyone Can Make Music’ advert in 2019.

During lockdown, my musical life exploded. I worked with Kenny Baraka and the Lewisham Music Service, creating, recording, and releasing my debut album “Thoughts: Then and Now”, as well as teaching piano to students across the world in the Caribbean and here in the UK. This planted the seed for Tutor Eagle, a social enterprise featured on BBC Radio Kent which I co-founded, helping young people access academic and music education. I write different genres of music for different sizes of ensemble and have composed music that has been performed in London and New York City. The world premiere of my most recent composition “Closing Time” was recently performed at Morley College, in London. I have started to write a musical and was invited by the University of Essex’s East 15 Acting School to workshop it there, pieces from which have been submitted as part of my portfolio for this Scholarship award. Being a trained singer also informs my creative work, performing as Hamilton in my school’s Night at the Musicals, as one example. Another example is throughout lockdown, I released my debut album as vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and producer Thoughts - Then and Now and took part in ABRSM’s Make Music Day 2020. Recently, I have been invited to work with Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Norwich next year at the Young Artists’ Centre. This year also saw the launch of the Tutor Eagle social enterprise, where me and other young people tutor children and young people in several counties across the UK in Music and other subjects.

Contribution to the musical life at the University

Music is first and foremost a social tool, helping to connect people and engage audiences. Throughout my 6 years at the University of East Anglia, I plan to get the most out of the multitude of music opportunities offered by the University. Previously, I explained that music will always be one of my passions, and I plan for my lifelong motto ‘one note can change the mood in anyone’, to resonate through my life as a student at the UEA. I would also be keen to raise the profile of music within the University, as it is good both for the brain holistically, socially and academically. It would be an honour to play a part in the multiple UEA Music Society ensembles, particularly the Choir, UEAcapella, and Live Music; and in the Live Music Ensemble and Showchoir Society. I would like to use the scholarship, in addition to my music production skills from the Centre for Young Musicians and experience within the music industry to record, produce and release some of the music made by students, and other members of the Showchoir and Music Societies. Throughout my time at the University, I would create a record label showcasing innovative music created specifically by students at UEA, possibly as part of the UEA Publishing Project in partnership with the Music Recording and Production.

It is known that music is important for mental wellbeing. It has both an effect on mood and cognitive leadership, as written in numerous studies including one by Jackie Webb at the Faculty for Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of East Anglia. I plan to work with UEA Outreach giving young people in under-represented backgrounds the platform and opportunity to learn skills in music, music technology and production: I would work with the Guildhall School of Music, UEA Music Centre, neaco, and the Foundation for Young Musicians to provide more opportunities for students in under-represented neighbourhoods access to both music education and higher education.

Music is an important part of my life, and I would like for it to remain as a prominent feature. I would also like for it to be the same for other students, both at UEA and at schools in the local area. I would hope to foster young minds in order to pass the baton of musical knowledge down to successors. As a future alumni of CYM, I would like to use my I would like to use Tutor Eagle as an avenue to help young people in Norwich and Norfolk access music lessons in person (in the practice rooms at the University or at another suitable location) and online (using the Google Shared Piano). I would like to provide avenues for UEA Music Society members and local people to learn music leadership and pedagogy through the university and help local young people “Do Different” and learn new instruments.