As it’s always been the tradition of addressing Academicians, let me begin by saying, ACCRA ACA….. BLEOOO, ACCRA ACA….BLEOOO!!! Accra Academy has always been my first choice of Secondary School Education since Grade School. I finally entered this Great Educational Institution in September of 1986 and lodged in the Great Hall of “International”, which was later changed in 1987 by the then Headmaster, Mr. Vincent Birch Freeman, to “Halm-Addo Hall”, a more appropriate name of one of the Four founding Fathers of the school. Around that time, my Hall had some of the most fearful, hardened and notorious seniors, giving us every good reason to feel scared and avoid them by any means. Little did we anticipate, that these conditions were going to shape our lives to be strong, disciplined, responsible people, and have respect for our seniors and elders. We quickly searched for “Masters” who became basically our “Fathers” who gave us “Protection” in exchange for our services to them. Interestingly, this “Quid Pro Quo” relationship worked quite well benefiting both parties.

In school, I’d always wanted to become a Medical Doctor, so I studied hard and aimed at the Sciences. After a successful Distinction “O Level” graduation with German Language in 1991, I chose to continue studying in the same school in the Sciences, of course. Biology and German became my favorite, and still is to date. My passion for Music and German started to be drastically exposed alongside my other tough majors. Given, that I had some initial Piano Lessons beginning at age 8, and had ignored it till this time, became no surprise to me when I started finding myself practicing in the Music Room and Assembly Hall. Playing the Piano became part of me and I just couldn’t stop playing. I found every opportunity to play during my leisure for fun, enjoying every note my fingers produced. I was so enthused when the Music Teacher, Mr. Quartey, found out that I could play the Piano and asked me to play during Assemblies. I was so very nervous the first time, but quickly, I started to volunteer myself on regular basis. I always rushed to the Piano before the others even woke up from bed. Little did I know that my “destiny” was beginning to take shape and redesign the course of my studies to something I really love doing and enjoy. The Power of Destiny has always been underrated and under estimated, till one is faced with this reality. My experience is one that confirms that we will become what we’ve been born to become, and there’s very little one could do to change that mystery.

Soon after graduating the “A Levels” in 1993, I got a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut Accra, where I was a German Student and very active in the Music Department, to further my education in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In Germany, I quickly founded the “Goethe Gesangs-Chor” among the students, where I directed, sang and accompanied the choir on the Piano till graduation. I briefly played the Organ for a Chinese Church in Frankfurt am Main. After briefly emigrating to England, I continued to perform in a local college, and played the Organ in the Churches I attended with my Uncle. In the United States, where I currently have been residing for over a decade, I landed my first Professional Appointment as Church Pianist during my first month of arrival. Soon enough, I was getting offers to play at various events and special invitations. Churches began competing among themselves for the chance to have me as their Organist, Pianist and Music director. They began enticing me with money to leave other churches and play for them. I must admit it’s very difficult to fight this battle. I fought this battle by staying true to my word and promise. I did not go after money, but I gave Praise and Thanksgiving to God, the Almighty, who took my hand and brought me here through several lands for one reason, which is, to Praise him with my talents with all my heart and mind. I have dedicated my life to playing Classical and Jazz Gospel to praise the Almighty God.

When I finally realized, how deep I’ve been immersed in this world of music performance and that, this is the real purpose of my life, I started looking for ways to improve myself in terms of the ability to play other musical instruments. After pondering over this for sometime, the Saxophone family and other Wind Instruments came to mind. I quickly started researching and reading widely about this, and later enrolled in the Bloomingdale Music School in New York for Piano and later transferred to the Brooklyn Music School for the opportunity to study both Piano and Saxophones. I currently hold Two Permanent Appointments as Music Director for Two Churches, playing the Organ, Piano, Saxophones and Clarinet. Alongside these two demanding obligations, I work during the week as a Manager of one of the biggest Music Companies in the United States. So clearly without any doubt whatsoever, my life is ALL MUSIC, just as my “destiny” has been designed by God himself. I chose to heed the call of the Almighty, because he knows best. Hopefully, my real-life experience will give hope to someone who needs to make such critical and vital decisions in their lives. God Bless.