New York, USA - “...challenges. There is so much to learn, from music theory to Kendall's offbeat phrasings. There's always something to do or something I don't know about as yet. Music is infinite.”
New York, USA - “*Sigh and smile* Bass is BAE! I must admit when I first was introduced to steel pan, from an optical perspective the bass was the pan I did NOT want to play. It looked so “obzocky” an
New York, USA - “The music and the instrument itself, to me it's just different. Its versatility, its dynamics its effects - everything about it. It gives me a different feeling when I listen to it as
New York, USA - “I can’t remember when I was ever not aware of the existence of Steel Pan. I remember being about 7 years old, begging my dad to get my own Pan and learn how to play... My dad (Richard
Virginia, USA - “Whatever you pursue, it is your journey. Take the opportunities as they present themselves. Don't spend too much time in looking backward but look forward to how you can transform you
New York, USA - “When I was about 6 years of age my grandmother would take me to the panyard where my uncle would practice. That’s when I became aware of steel pan and its culture. I didn’t actually st
New York, USA - Most disappointing? “...The idea that Panorama is everything and all pan has to offer. Bands work so hard during the Panorama season. Sacrifice, time, money, stress - all for those few
New York, USA - “I play pan because I absolutely love the unique quality and sound of the instrument. My passion is never-ending, it only grows as I continue to play pan and study music. It helps me t
More recognition needed for one of the country’s top arrangers
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Winning arranger of four out of eight attempts at Panorama (a 50 per cent winning achievement with second and third places thrown into the mix) is not too bad of
Tokyo, Japan - “After our Panorama performance, I listened to the final result on the radio at the Desperadoes panyard. I didn’t understand English well but when I saw everyone bubbling over with joy,
Jamaica, W.I. - “I was socialised to think that to be a successful person meant to be a lawyer, doctor or a businesswoman - but that could not keep me from my passion. I do hold a BSc in Human Resourc
Chicago, Illinois, USA - “I would advise other female panists to GO FOR IT!!! The instrument is awesome and my only regret has been at times when I would start and stop playing/arranging because I dou
New York, USA - “What disappoints me the most about the steel pan movement is exactly that, the lack of a movement. There doesn't seem to be a "movement." There seems to be plenty of different entitie
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New Jersey, USA - “I’m always proud to see the steel pan being used all over the world. For instance, going to ICP and seeing a steel band from Japan was amazing...
“My experience at ICP was definite
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New Jersey, USA - “Finding a place for steelbands to practice is one of the greatest challenges this current generation is facing. Not only is this a problem in New York but also in New Jersey where m
New York, USA - “My passion is the music, and the instrument and the art form, so it’s difficult to walk away from an instrument that I’ve grown up with. But I appreciate the versatility of the instru
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A tsunami of Steelpan lovers descended on the little village of Tamana on Saturday 19th March 2016 as Pan Trinbago held the first in its series Pan in De Countryside for 2016.
People came as is the custom, from all over Tri
Seattle, Washington, USA - “What captivated me at first was the uniqueness of the instrument and the beautiful sounds it makes....” says founder of Seattle Women's Steel Pan Project, Oriana Estrada.”
"..... They won't [attend the pan performances] because you see they can walk into a panyard and watch them practice....So that is the greatest challenge - to get the public to realize - here is an artform, and they should pay for it. So they [pan pl
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Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “She was a former student of the great music phenom, Winifred Atwell. And as the founder of and an educator at the Pan Pipers Music School, she provided the entree point and s
