分类： entertainment

A remarkable musical phenomenon is emerging from Lower Barrackpore, where 10-year-old Emily Roopnarine demonstrates vocal prowess that defies her youthful age. The standard four student at Rochard Douglas Presbyterian School, who maintains exceptional academic performance with Mathematics as her favorite subject, possesses a melodious voice that instantly captivates listeners and leaves audiences spellbound.

Emily’s musical journey commenced unexpectedly at age four during a Sunday School concert, where she discovered an innate passion for performance. Under the nurturing guidance of her parents, Nancy and Deva Roopnarine, and through dedicated self-study via YouTube tutorials facilitated by her mother, Emily has cultivated her natural talent into refined artistry. Her repertoire now spans multiple genres, showcasing remarkable versatility for someone her age.

The young vocalist has graced numerous prestigious platforms, including school productions, church programs, and special cultural functions. She has been featured twice on ‘Moments of Inspiration,’ a religious program spotlighting talented performers within Presbyterian communities. Her performance credentials include the National Day of Prayer at the National Council for Indian Culture’s Divali Nagar and the Rhythms ‘n Brews karaoke event.

Two recent performances particularly stand out in Emily’s budding career. On November 16, she delivered an unforgettable performance at Debe High School during a regional Christmas concert organized by her church, describing the experience as ‘ecstatic.’ Earlier, on November 8, she achieved what she considers her pinnacle performance to date at her school’s cultural show held at Vickar’s Country Club.

Despite experiencing pre-performance nerves, Emily has developed effective techniques to manage stage anxiety by immersing herself in the music and allowing the melody to guide her delivery. She maintains academic excellence through disciplined time management, balancing school responsibilities with her musical pursuits.

For Emily, Christmas represents ‘a time of love, happiness and most of all, celebrating the birth of Jesus.’ Her seasonal favorite is ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,’ and she cherishes family gatherings and gift exchanges during the holiday period. Inspired by global pop sensation Ariana Grande, Emily aspires to professional performance career.

Beyond music, Emily enjoys practicing art and karate. She maintains a special connection to her late grandmother, Basdaye (Katie) Dukhoo, who passed away four years ago, and draws strength from her supportive extended family including grandfather Errol Dukhoo, Uncle Andy, Aunt Natalie Rajkumar, and cousin Chad.

Her mother expresses overwhelming pride in Emily’s accomplishments: ‘We are beaming with pride. Emily has blown us away with her incredible singing talent. We have watched her grow and progress through hard work and dedication for her love for singing. We are very proud parents, and we cannot wait to see where this journey takes her.’

Emily’s advice to fellow young aspirants embodies her philosophy: ‘Follow your heart, believe in yourself, and dream big’—a mantra that continues to propel her extraordinary journey.

Following a 15-year absence from public exhibitions, Trinidadian artist Elizabeth “Liz” Gardner has emerged with a vibrant collection aimed at injecting joy into the world through her solo showcase “Soul, Joy & Love” at Horizons Art Gallery. The exhibition, running from December 9-19 in St. James, represents Gardner’s deliberate shift from private creation to public sharing despite her previous preference for maintaining a low profile.

The collection features 38 predominantly figurative works executed primarily in oil paint, accompanied by ink-drawn wooden houses and mixed media pieces combining colored pencils with oil on canvas. Gardner describes the exhibition as both a celebration of earthly beauty and a commentary on contemporary society’s inauthentic and disturbing elements. Through depictions of traditional bélé dancers observed across Caribbean islands, the artist explores how dance, music, and the sea serve as unifying forces within the region.

Gardner’s artistic philosophy centers on love as the fundamental force in human existence, particularly emphasizing divine love. She expresses hope that her creations will “speak to someone’s heart” and counteract what she perceives as a growing absence of genuine love in modern society.

The artist’s return to exhibition coincides with her decision to pause her teaching career, which included seven years at Point Cumana RC Primary School where she developed specialized art programs for underserved communities. Gardner has concurrently maintained a 12-year philanthropic initiative supporting children through essential provisions and educational projects, funded entirely by her art sales.

A graduate of Canada’s Fanshawe College with a degree in painting and graphic design, Gardner brings 30 years of professional experience across multiple creative disciplines including film, theater, printing, and fashion. She describes artists as perpetual creators who “feast” on their respective mediums—whether visual, literary, or musical—interpreting the world through their artistic lenses.

Looking forward, Gardner plans to expand her experimentation with mixed media techniques and water-based methods, continuing her artistic evolution while advocating for expanded arts education opportunities for Trinidad’s youth, whom she describes as possessing “blow-mind talent” capable of shining on international stages.

In a heartfelt celebration of musical heritage and enduring friendship, veteran performer Selvon “Mistah Shak” Noel and steelpan virtuoso Darril “Harp” Edwards are set to reunite on December 7th for a special Christmas brunch event that promises to revive the authentic spirit of Trinidad and Tobago’s holiday traditions.

The KaiSoca-Parang Meets Steelpan Christmas Brunch, commencing at 10 AM at Atherly’s By the Park in San Fernando, represents more than mere performance—it symbolizes a cultural homecoming. For Shak, this collaboration carries profound personal significance, serving as both a tribute to decades of friendship and support for Edwards’ recent return to Trinidad after 18 years in Arkansas.

Edwards, an original member of the NLCB Fonclaire Steel Orchestra during the legendary Ken “Professor” Philmore’s Pan By Storm era, brings global experience as an internationally touring soloist. His homecoming provided the perfect catalyst for reconnecting with Trinidad’s music community and honoring those who shaped his career.

The choice of venue holds special historical resonance. Both artists regularly performed at the original Atherly’s as members of Hi-Styles band, with co-owner Paula Atherly having been instrumental in launching their international touring careers. “Paula was the one who put us on the path to do those tours,” Shak fondly recalls, noting their maintained friendship through the years.

Against Trinidad’s current economic challenges, organizers have deliberately kept the event accessible. “We really wanted to keep it at a price where as many people as possible could have access,” Shak emphasized, highlighting their commitment to community inclusivity.

The musical program will feature Edwards’ masterful steelpan repertoire alongside Shak’s unique fusion of calypso, soca, and parang—a blend that has earned him the moniker “Rasta Parrendero.” DJ Base 2 will complement the live performances with classic holiday spins, while Shak plans to delve into Trinidad’s musical archives with renditions of traditional Christmas calypsos from legends like Kitchener and Relator.

The event’s underlying theme centers on nostalgic reconnection with non-material Christmas traditions. “We’re trying to reintroduce that organic feeling we as Trinbagonians connect with Christmas,” Shak explains. “There’s a spirit, a vibe, a way we lime that transcends religious celebration.”

Audiences can anticipate Shak’s newest parang release, “It Right Dey,” which embodies the show’s message of returning to meaningful traditions that define Trinidad’s unique Christmas experience. While known for incorporating social commentary into his parang music—addressing topics from political encounters to cultural barriers—Shak now focuses on the season’s essence: “Good food, good company, music and memories.”

This gathering represents a cultural reawakening—not merely a concert or brunch, but a reaffirmation of identity and celebration through the authentic spirit of Trinidadian Christmas.

Trinidad and Tobago-based artist Zebulun (born Marcus McIntosh) has announced groundbreaking partnerships that position him for international music stardom. The singer recently secured a multi-project distribution agreement with Jay-Z’s ROC Nation alongside an exclusive streaming arrangement with emerging platform Coda Music.

The strategic alliance encompasses three full-length albums, five singles, and five music videos through ROC Nation Distribution, ensuring global reach for his forthcoming work. Simultaneously, Zebulun becomes the first Caribbean artist to join Coda Music’s streaming platform, which boasts a catalog of over 130 million tracks and emphasizes human-curated content over algorithm-driven recommendations.

This dual partnership represents a significant milestone for Caribbean music representation. “These powerful partnerships took place from Trinidad and Tobago,” Zebulun emphasized. “It was important for me to see things through from our shores to show the youth here that they can make it too.”

The artist’s company, Bella Music, co-founded with a close associate, now plans to leverage this success to promote other Trinidadian talents globally. His recently released single, produced by Jamaican dancehall specialist Wizical (known for work with Skillibeng), is already available across major platforms including Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

Zebulun has outlined ambitious promotional campaigns across North America, the United Kingdom, and Africa commencing March 2026. Despite international ambitions, the artist remains committed to his roots, promising to hold his album release party in Trinidad. “I’m building legacy,” he stated, “and I’m doing it in my own lane.”