Friends and music lovers Callina Morrison and Matthew Sammy had a mutual dream – to open a music school.
In May, that dream became a reality with the opening of the ILM (I Love Guitar Music) Academy, at Coconut Drive, San Fernando. The institution offers online and in-person guitar and cuatro classes, with an enrolment of 20 students.
The duo, now in their 20s, met soon after they had completed their first degrees in music-related disciplines at the UWI and the University of Trinidad and Tobago respectively. Morrison has a BA in musical arts (special), and Sammy graduated with a bachelor's of fine arts in performing arts with specialisation in music. They both had a strong desire to start a musical venture that would allow them to give back to their communities, since they had both benefited from their respective "villages" and wanted to invest in the next generation.
Morrison reminisced about the extreme pleasure she derived from being a part of a guitar ensemble at UWI.
"It’s one of the things I miss most, and I am determined to pass that experience of playing in a group to my young charges," she told Sunday Newsday.
She also has an interest in musical arranging.
Sammy said their approach to training is one of nurturing rather than the traditional, rigid method that tends to be the default. Their academy encourages students to be comfortable and open to asking questions and sharing their thoughts about music.
"And because music is such a big part of our lives, we want them to be open to share about their lives as well.”
In addition to their qualifications, Morrison and Sammy both have quite a bit of teaching experience, having worked part-time as tutors at other music schools.
They've also been performing since childhood whenever and wherever opportunities presented themselves.
"My first introduction to playing an instrument was the cuatro, as part of a parang band," Sammy said. Parang music continues to be his favourite genre.
Morrison has been involved in dramatic productions, has had the privilege of accompanying professional entertainers such as Nihilet Blackman and Isasha, and looks forward to working with other local, and eventually international musicians. She also plays the pan, piano and a bit of percussion, but the guitar is definitely her preference.
"Our styles are different, but this difference enriches the product we are able to offer to our students and provide opportunities for them to present varied types of music, eliminating any chance of monotony," Morrison said.
They have been able to integrate their styles, sharing their knowledge of soca, contemporary and other genres with their eager charges. She said ILM Academy is invested in ensuring that their students leave their hour-long sessions having had an experience, and not merely focused on the theory and techniques.
[caption id="attachment_1040230" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Musician and teacher Callina Morrison has a special love for playing the guitar. - Photo courtesy Callina Morrison.[/caption]
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