A transformative initiative aimed at lifting up local creative talent has drawn to a successful close in Antigua and Barbuda, with the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) celebrating the completion of its widely anticipated Music Development Masterclass. This intensive program represents the latest targeted investment by the commission into strengthening the nation’s fast-growing creative economy, unlocking new opportunities for creators across multiple disciplines.
Hosted between June 8 and 12 at the Eustace Hill Campus located in Coolidge, the four-day training brought together a diverse cross-section of entertainment industry stakeholders. From emerging up-and-coming artistes, songwriters, producers, DJs and dancers to established industry professionals and visual creatives, all attendees gathered to deepen their understanding of the modern global music business through hands-on, immersive learning sessions.
The program was led by three internationally recognized industry experts with decades of collective experience: Stephen “Int’l Stephen” Phillip from DSM Music Group, Daryll Gervais of Gervais Music, and Titan VCD from the NXUS Collective Agency. Throughout the course of the masterclass, facilitators emphasized the long-term value of professional networking and cross-local collaboration, urging participants to maintain the connections they built during the event and continue refining their craft long after the final session. To support ongoing development, all instructors shared their personal professional contact information with attendees, opening the door for future review of original music, creative projects and other work, as well as continued guidance.
Dwayne George, the cabinet minister with oversight for Carnival, reaffirmed the Antigua and Barbuda government’s long-standing commitment to empowering local creatives through accessible education and targeted professional development opportunities.
Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, outlined the commission’s core vision for expanding the local creative sector. “The Festivals Commission remains committed to creating pathways for growth within the creative sector. We are providing these programmes free of charge because we believe in the immense potential of our people. My appeal to creatives is simple: take advantage of every opportunity. Show up, engage, ask questions, and invest in your own development. The knowledge and connections gained through programmes like these can be transformative,” Makhoul said.
Lead facilitator Stephen “Int’l Stephen” Phillip spoke highly of the energy and curiosity participants brought to the masterclass, noting that the next generation of Antigua and Barbuda’s creative talent shows exceptional promise. “It’s clear that the next generation is hungry, and they’re asking the right questions. The level of engagement we’ve seen over the past four days has been impressive. I genuinely believe there are quite a few global stars being born right here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Phillip shared.
He also announced that early planning is already underway for an exciting collaborative project tied to the upcoming 70th anniversary of Antigua Carnival, a historic milestone for the nation’s biggest annual cultural celebration. “We’re already working on something special for Antigua Carnival 70 with some of the talented individuals we’ve met during this programme. What we’re building is what I like to call ‘The Carnival 70th Anthem’, something that captures the spirit, energy, and legacy of Antigua Carnival while showcasing local talent on a bigger stage,” Phillip added.
To cap off the program, every participant received a formal certificate acknowledging their completion of the training and their commitment to ongoing professional growth within the creative industries.