About Me

Vivace,Hemiola,Jazz,Melismatic,Soulful,Virtuoso& s Tierce de Picardie... I believe these are all positive aspects of musical vocabulary to express me and my high personal interest in music.As a student of music,I believe that it is essential to have the theoretical and practical elements of music. Music to me is a passionate,life-longing subject to study as it involves many other subjects. 'Der Doppelganger' by Schubert includes aspects of Psychology,German,Maths,Art & History.Like any other novice I had always thought the theoretical side of music was less interesting,whereas now I find that there is more and more to learn within the musical sphere.Words such as:- tessiatura,alberti bass,basso continuo & false relation have sparked my interest to explore all areas of music.I feel that historic music forms the fundamental fabric of our music today.Music is current,relevant,passionate and a powerful persuader in our present day.I am attracted mostly to the art and to the background ideas of music and these are ever-changing;there are NO assurances. Hence my increasing interest in studying music at degree level.I enjoy researching old and new music and I feel I have acquired the skills necessary to apply this to many musical examples.In completing a music degree,I hope to gain more skills in order to enhance others interest in music as I dream to become a music teacher.
I have always taken an active part in activities in and outside of school I participated in the senior choir excursion to St, Philip's and Holy Trinity Church and in concerts within school as I can sing as well as play.I have helped to teach and support younger students in music and drama lessons(by producing programme music)which enhanced my teaching skills and confidence.I have also been in concerts as a solo performer such as 'Hits from the Musicals 06,07,08 which shows I can work independently as well as a team.I have also created music for different shows including some of the ones I have performed in which shows I am a creative person.I am a very proficient and extrovert person who always surpasses potential,whether in musical performance or other circumstances.I am considered a helpful person and I take pride in my work and what I do.I have also been part of the senior band for 2 years and in year 8, I was part of the junior band which shows my development from 13 to 15 years of age.In addition to this,I have contributed to the outings outside of school with a choir(music section as well as singing),which is based at “Church of God of Property”(C.O.G.O.P) in Mansfield which shows I have commitment and good time-management.The choir is asked to do a number of events such as:- performing at different gospel concerts,conventions,birthdays and even wedding events which shows we are of great enthusiasm and excellence.I am also part of a dance group called T.O.L.D.Within this group we have performed at the Stamping Ground 06,07,08, Episodes 06,07,09,Showcase 02,06,07,08 as a soloist and group act which shows I can balance 2 things at once and we are aiming to go to Barcelona for a competition in April 2009. The choir, like the dance group,have also performed at a Shadings(B.M.E club) event celebrating Black History Month in October.I have gained a lot from these experiences such as teamwork,communication and creativity skills.My spare time hobbies or interests include playing basketball,football,badminton,playing piano and drums,creating my own music,writing and producing songs,reading books,listening to music and drawing. I enjoy researching and reading and doing active tasks for homework during the weekends.I am a very active person with an active life and my main appreciated skill is balancing academic/extra curricular/hobbies and all these entail good time management skills so I do not fall behind in my academic life.I feel these hobbies show my zest for life and for work. In whatever I do, I always put in 100%. Academically, I feel I have pushed myself to the limit and I will always and still encourage mself to do a high stard of work and I don't stop until I do.

Acting

Experience

Accents

Employment History & Experience

School plays but apart from that not really any experience.

Music

Experience

Vocal Skills

Instruments Played

Employment History & Experience

I also focused upon the drums, piano (my main instrument), guitar and my vocals. I have had a great opportunity in University learning with Tori Bragg (singing teacher) this year and I feel I have broadened my genres of singing from Rock – Jazz. I must admit my confidence not only as a musician, but as a singer was diminished before I came to University. However, looking at myself now, I have made such an improvement and I am very thankful to Tori Bragg and Chloe Mullet for pushing me to achieve in that particular area. I wasn’t singing a lot before I came to University and to be now singing back-up for peoples performances and also doing lead vocals for myself is marvellous. As a musician, I have aspired to not sticking to the basic norms of learning an instrument this year & this certainly isn’t the case with piano. Piano, being my first instrument (started age 6), I have challenged myself to many genres of music including: - Classical, Jazz, Gospel, RnB, Neo-soul and some spurges of Rock. I have taught myself pieces of music, not just by reading the notation provided but also by ear (which requires patience and training). I still aspire to improve and help others in each of the academic years in University & also outside of University. To have such great investment in what I love from the University lecturers and colleges, it really pushes me to excel further and with that notion, do I only continue to do so.

Events within University have included:- playing for and singing with Voices of Hope (conducted by Evgenia Petrenko) in their own concert in March and also in the Light Night concert in May (this is also where I have performed my own pieces). I competed in the ‘Battle of the Bands’ with my previous band ‘Soul Sublime’. Being part of Vocal Group (led by Chloe Mullet), I have been able to perform with the Concert Band in their own concert in May & also in Liverpool Royal Hospital which was a great honour. I have also had the opportunity in University to play in the Lunchtime Concerts as an individual artist and also with Vocal Group & Voices of Hope. Thanks to the Cornerstone festival in December, I was able to take part in a song writing course (led by Chloe Mullet) and we had the opportunity in University to perform our songs at the end of course, of which I received a lot of positive comments. I have also been able to have master classes with Joanna Macgregor, of which has helped immensely. The master classes were something valuable to advance my technique as a pianist and also improve and encourage more confidence in myself when playing pieces I am not familiar with. During the Cornerstone festival I also performed with the University Choir, conducted by Stephen Pratt and we performed Beethoven’s Mass in C which was a lot different to what I normally performed but nevertheless it was still a great performance and I enjoyed I thoroughly. Continuing, God has given me many talents and I am thankful that I can accompany the third years from 2009 - 2010 & 2010 – 2011 which has challenged me to apply what I have learnt (by ear , technicalities and also on my instruments) and supersede the expectations of myself and the audience. With this kind of attitude, I have been recognised by Leland Alexander who owns his own record and is a well-known guitarist.
Not only have my talents been used in University, but they have also been used around the city: - France 2010 (went touring around the north of France) and home town (weddings, gospel choir, showcase 08). The church I attend, Elm Hall Drive in Liverpool, I started a Gospel Choir, which has performed in Local Churches & I also lead the worship frequently on a Sunday morning. I also play in a couple of bands – Soul Survivors and The Jazz Quintet (bands in Liverpool) & in return to Liverpool, I will be joining a Funk Band. I try my best to portray myself as an individual artist and I have been busy this summer recording my own ideas and words, which I have published on SoundCloud and YouTube. I have been able to accompany and do session work with some well-known gospel musicians e.g. Tyndale Thomas (leader of Liverpool Philharmonic Gospel Choir) and Kofi (famous gospel artist).

Dancing

Experience

Dance Skills

Employment History & Experience

Schools and Episodes and Showcase (nottinghamshire events)

Entertainment

Experience

Employment History & Experience

Weddings and Anniversaries.

Extras Work, Partipant, Contestant

Experience

Employment History & Experience

School plays but apart from that not really any experience.

Languages Spoken

Experience & Qualifications

Qualifications & Training

At All Saints, I was entered for 11 GCSE’s. These were English, English Literature, Math’s, Science, French, German, Art, Music, Dance, R.E and GNVQ ICT. The results I received back were 1A* in Music, 4 A’s in French, Double Science and Dance, 5 B’s German, Art, Math’s English Literature and R.E and a C in English Language. I also received a Merit in GNVQ ICT. Most students partake in 9 subjects; however I was really engaged within my studies and aimed to do 11. In Sixth form, I did 3 A levels - German, Law and Music. I received from those an A in music B in Law and a D in German. In University, I achieved a 2:1 in my first year and a 2:1 in my second year.

Other Information

Relevant Skills

My main qualities of me are: - hard working - I always set high targets for myself as well as been organized, punctual, attentive, creative and good at problem solving. I am an avid team worker, very communicative, good memory and good with numbers and money. I am also able to pick up tasks/jobs easily. As well as these being good attributes, it is also important to have an interesting personality as this helps to make good contact with your colleagues. I am fun, easy to talk to, patient, easy going and always up for a good laugh.

Interests & Hobbies

My main hobbies are Basketball, Cars, writing & listening to music, reading, movies & art.

Miscellaneous Information

I always like to help, regardless of the knowledge needed for the job. If the job entails ‘a good, confident, professional speaker’, I know I could fit that job as I have a soothing, settled voice. This is good for persuading customers to buy products and also if there are some complaints then a settled approach is needed to calm the situation down. I work quickly and get jobs done quickly and I am always up for learning something new.

My ambitions are to teach at a university or possibly become a teacher in a secondary school or college. I would really love to become a Music therapist but looking at the economic climate, I am going to struggle for jobs so I am best going a doing something which will first and foremost earn me a bit of money so I can pay for a masters in Music Therapy and then hopefully look for jobs when the climate becomes less restricting on businesses and hospitals.

Due to the tough economic environment, I would like to also put some money aside for possible masters/doctorate degrees. I would also like to save some money for some courses I have being wanting to attend this year – this includes an Advanced Jazz Course at the Guildhall in London.