Meet Josanne Francis of Trinidad and Tobago

[Pan Times]

Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form

 

Triinidad and Tobago - Her story, her reality, her journey - A Pan story... In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Josanne Francis of Trinidad and Tobago—now an NIU graduate student—shares her fantastic journey with the steelpan instrument as her guide, wind and sail.
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[Patrick F Joseph]

Keep up the Good Work Josanne. You are leading by example. We have quite a lot of young ladies in Trinbago playing the National Instrument now. In fact the female Pannists might have outnumbered the males this year. this is interesting and a count could assist us. (PANTRINBAGO)  We are looking forward to musicians like you and Mia to frequent your visits to your homeland to inspire them and lead them to a successful life in MUSIC.B & T..I always say..

[wmlpan]

I found the following quote from the interview disturbing, that Josanne could still have this as her experience, just a few years ago. Jealousy coupled with ignorance is a hell of a thing. Keep on, Josanne, leave the naysayers in their own sorry state, your successes are exposing them for the sad lot they are. And don't forget who they are, any of them, ever.

Some would say in disgust, “MUSIC? You going quite Mississippi to do music/play pan??” Or they would tell me to major in something else, or minor in music so I have a ‘back up plan’ or a ‘plan B.’

“These words came from adults and so-called educated people who would never tell an accounting or engineering major to have a ‘plan B.’

[Bugs]

Excellent interview Josanne. I am very happy you didn't listen to those people who thought you were wasting your time on pan.

bugs