Just finished up my most local sounding score to date. From soca to riddim section to steelpan, it was a lot of fun working on this collaboration!
#filmcomposer #trinidadandtobago #tabancafilm
Portfolio -- https://dikesamai.com/portfolio/
Dike Samai is a Film Score Composer, Steelpan Arranger, Panist, Actor and Educator
2015 -- Berklee College of Music -- Specialist Certificate -- Orchestration for film and TV
First Trinidad & Tobago national to graduate from NYU - with masters in --- Fall 2019 Music Theory & Composition: Screen Scoring -- https://www.facebook.com/dikesamai/videos/961265178016904
Inspired by Harry Potter to pursue music.
Living in New York during the pandemic was sureal
George Floyd and Pandemic impact
"I am a black man - I was not ignorant of the social climate at the time - i was not ignorant of what i looked - l definetly was not ignorant of what i could be I'm perceived as to others"
WST captures Dike as member of UWI Arts Chorale and UWI Steel Ensemble at St. Francis College April 2010...
Mario Kart Theme - Dike Samai
https://fb.watch/d6TXgaSqJT/
Mario Kart Theme - Dike Samai
We recorded this in Prague last year but I finally found the time to finish it up!
#Hybrid #Orchestra #Steelpan #Mario #Kart #Trinidad #Composer
Film score composer on these projects! Redman -- The Witness
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“Tell us about Dike Samai?”
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How did you first become introduced to the steelpan instrument? Take us through your steelpan music journey?
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What is it about Pan that has so captivated you, made you passionate overall?
- Are you involved in the steel band art form on a full-time basis, or are your film composition activities a parallel career?
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Within the steel pan music world - you are an organizer, a player, an arranger and an administrator; which “hat” - within that world - do you find most challenging?
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What is your most memorable moment in pan?
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And what is your least favorite moment as it relates to pan?
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If you had the ability to change one thing in Pan, what would that be?
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What has slowed down, or hindered the development of the steel pan movement overall, in your opinion?
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As a key administrator and organizer in the Trinidad and Tobago Pan world, what is your vision for the steel pan in the Trinidad & Tobago?
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How has the global COVID-19 pandemic impacted your career plans, and also - your view of the world?
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You have administrative and organizer roles within the steel band community; do you ever experience any challenges or "pushback" ?
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Tell us about your membership with the UWI ensemble... (WST captured you performing in NY at St. Francis College back in 2010)
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In light of your unique background, musical talents, and experience --- how will Dike change the film music composing landscape?
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Dike Samai - Score Relief 2022 --- https://youtu.be/3Uo1m2QN8m8
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Film Scoring Demo Reel - Dike Samai -- https://youtu.be/vxrSdy6JzKU
Hailing from South Trinidad, Dike Samai began his musical path in his first choice secondary school, Presentation College. There, under the direction of Mrs. Cynthia LeeMack and the deceased Anthony LeeMack, he began to grow musically as his involvement in the various choirs and musicals in the college opened his eyes to his future.
After graduating from Presentation College, Dike attended the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus where he attained a Certificate in Pan with distinction, and two years later graduated with a BA in Musical Arts with Upper Second Honours.
Dike is also the Captain and Arranger of his band Fusion Steel Ensemble, a band comprising of panists as well as vocalists which has perfected many genres of music over the 4 years of their existence. He is able to play any steelpan placed in front of him with relative ease but excels mainly at Double Seconds and 4 Cello.
During the last year of his tenure at the University of the West Indies, Dike began showing a strong interest in Film Music and its effects on the listener with regards to emotion and mood. With this interest, he began learning how to compose for movies and other media and is currently enrolled in two separate online certificates in Composition for Film and Media.
Dike plans on becoming a professional Film Score Composer and raise the level of music found in local and international movies to those found in Hollywood Blockbusters. He is currently a Music Teacher under the Ministry of Education at St. Benedict's College La Romaine where he has taken the school's Pan Ensemble, St Benedict's Steel from non-existent to the final round of Junior Panorama in each of the 2 years they have taken part, (2013 and 2014) as well as 5 Certificates of Excellence in the annual NGC Sanfest competition. In 2013 they won with his arrangement of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and in 2014 won again with his arrangement of The Mighty Sparrow's "Jean and Dinah" beating second place by 26 points.
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