What was your introduction to opera and what impression did it leave on you?
My intro to Operatic singing was hearing it in video games and cartoons. I watched my first full live Opera last year at the Royal Opera House, compliments the SSA. It was Handel’s Semele, featuring Ben Bliss and Pretty Yende.
Why pursue opera, as opposed to other music genres? Especially in a country where classical music is arguably a niche interest compared to genres like soca, reggae, hip-hop, and pop.
I like and appreciate all of the aforementioned genres. Opera, however, is a medium that, when done well, appeals to something primal. Regardless of language, culture, age or taste… Opera can grab something inside of you and convey emotions that resonate in a way that’s unforgettable.
What challenges have you faced in your pursuit of a career in opera?
Primarily costs and training. As of this year, I have been accepted to study a master’s degree at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the UK and we are hard at work raising the funds to make that possible.
By supporting this festival, you are helping artists like me get the training they need to realize their dreams and have a chance at a successful career, as well as continuing to show this little island more that deserves to be on the map.
Would you say that the audience for opera in Barbados is larger than most people would assume? What is the current audience and how do you think it can be expanded?
It is larger than most people would assume. However, Opera is considered “high art”, meaning there are many barriers to entry. [So the] average consumer in Barbados hasn’t had many, if any, [opportunities] to see the undiluted product. This festival aims to change that with Saturday night’s upcoming program.
I’ll show everyone that their voice has power, passion, and purpose; that young or old, there will always be a way to live, laugh and learn together through the beautiful storytelling medium that is music.
Are there any opera singers whose work and performances, for you, have been particularly meaningful and influential?
There are many. One particular performance I always enjoy is the late Mario Lanza’s rendition of “Vesti la giubba” from Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci, as performed in his final film For The First Time, in 1958. That is a performance that left a lasting impression on me and I look forward to rendering that piece one day, with my own seasoning!
Thanks to Melinda Hughes, the founder of the AllStars Festival, and the Speightstown AllStars charity, you’ve had the opportunity to study your craft overseas. What was that experience like and what did you gain from that training?
Invaluable. I cannot stress how critical this opportunity is and how much I have been able to develop due to it. Furthermore, I was able to see what is required in the industry firsthand. The charity is doing good work that deserves every dollar it gets.
Now that you’ve received this training, what can people who’ve seen you perform at the previous AllStars Festivals expect from you this year in comparison to those previous performances?
They’ll get a taste of those lasting emotions I spoke about earlier, and a glimpse of what [an] aspiring Barbadian young person can accomplish on a global scale, with their help.
Looking back on your journey in opera up to this point, what would you say have been the most significant moments in your career?
Seeing my stoic Grandmother shed tears of joy during my first recital. Hearing a child say they never thought someone could sing like that and ask if they can do it too. Knowing I made at least one person feel something for a moment that made their hair stand on end, or took them back to a cherished memory long ago… Those have been, and will continue to be, my most significant moments.
How do you see yourself developing as an artist over the next few years?
I see myself becoming an artist that people worldwide will hear and instantly recognize.
What do you ultimately hope to achieve in your career as an opera singer?
I’ll show everyone that their voice has power, passion, and purpose; that young or old, there will always be a way to live, laugh and learn together through the beautiful storytelling medium that is music.
And most importantly: No dream is [too] big, no goal [too] far. Go with God, and He will take you even further beyond.
