Talented young musicians selected to participate in the 2024 Eastern Caribbean Composition Summer Workshop

(Press Release) Basseterre, St. Kitts: The extraordinary talents of three exceptional young musicians from St. Kitts and Nevis will be showcased at the 2024 Eastern Caribbean Composition Summer Workshop. The highly anticipated event, hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra (ABYSO) at the American University of Antigua, promises to be a transformative experience for these budding artists.

The selection process for the workshop is highly competitive. Interested students must submit a statement of interest explaining their desire to participate. Before these talented young people are selected, they are rigorously tested and required to have achieved a musical level of Grade 4-5. Three talented students were selected to participate:

Mikkall Walters, 16, attends Basseterre High School and has achieved ABRSM Grade 4 in music.

Hannah-Marie Williams, 16, attends Archibald High School in Washington and has achieved Grade 5 in music from the Royal Academy of Music.

Royle Pemberton, 17, attends Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College and has achieved Grade 4 in Music from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Two full-time music teachers will accompany students to provide guidance and support throughout the workshop: Ms. Nicole Maynard, music teacher at Verchilds High School, and Ms. Venelle Powell, music teacher at Gingerland Middle School.

The Ministry of Education generously funded all participants, including their flights and stipends, ensuring that financial difficulties would not hinder their opportunity to participate in this enriching experience.

According to a release from the Eastern Caribbean Composers Association, “This symposium is more than just a platform for music education, it is a celebration of cultural diversity, personal growth and future career prospects.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis hopes that when Mikael, Hannah-Marie and Royall meet in Antigua, they will create an atmosphere of harmony that echoes the unity and richness of St. Kitts and Nevis. Their journey is sure to be one of enlightenment, learning and unforgettable experiences.