BAJAN SUN
Bajan Sun Magazine
JULY 2014
BARBADIAN
Diaspora
IN MUSIC
Music Enharmony LLC
Ruth-Ann's love for music started
at a young age and much of what
she learnt came from her mother.
Despite being born to parents of
Bajan descent, Ruth-Ann Lewis
lives in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, driven by her passion to stay close to her roots, Ruth
-Ann wishes to make an impact
within the Barbados Music Arena.
She has already started, establishing her own small music studio
and demanding excellence from
her students. It is her wish that
there be a network of schools in the West Indies where (1.)
musical education comes first; (2.) students can see the possibilities of a future in music; (3.) where we are no longer limited in the field of music and (4.) where an active exchange
increases the productivity and progress of music education.
Therefore, creating an impact in our part of the world if not
even farther.
Ruth-Ann's Music Studio in SVG, T.h.&.M.e.S. Music Studio®, offers a variety of music classes for children and adults.
Practical instrument lessons include piano, violin, viola, cello,
guitar, bass guitar, percussion, flute, voice, harp, among others.
Music Theory classes are available separately so that students
that fall into the categories such as the "would be composers"
category have the opportunity to take theory at a serious pace.
Ruth-Ann is trying to encourage ensemble work and consistent
performance from her students.
The school's curriculum ensures that students learn how to
write about music and this opens doors for students interested
in fields of study such as Ethnomusicology, a necessary field
to ensure that traditional and folk music in the West Indies
does not disappear.
In her own words: "I love it when my students think." RuthAnn declares with a smirk. "My goal is to encourage music
intelligence and drive so that eventually my students will exceed me in areas of music that I have mastered myself, as well
as areas that I have not mastered. Simply put, areas they love."
Ruth-Ann's music studies began at a young age, relying on her
mother who eventually ran a piano music studio. Ruth-Ann
later joined her mother at the age of 10 teaching a few young
piano students. Ruth-Ann was obviously ambitious, and her
mother encouraged that ambition. As such, after Ruth-Ann
passed the grade 5 ABRSM piano exam her mother sent her to
study with the most prominent music teacher on the island at
that time, Mr. "Pat" Prescod.
Although young and careless, Ruth-Ann learned two vital aspects of music: (1.) in music performance, always find the
meaning of the piece and express that with your own heart;
and (2.) in music teaching, give reasons and motivation for
your students to love music, the piece, and the instrument they
play. "That burning impression of Mr. Prescod playing one of
her pieces on the piano has never left her. Since then, it has
been her goal as a performer to make her music come alive."
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