Young pianist scores big in music examinations

- Contributed

Yanique Leiba

"You chose a full and well rounded contrasted programme which amply demonstrated command of the styles of four musical eras. You produced detailed programme notes... showing good awareness of structure and unity as well as noting the technical problems to be overcome".

SO said the overseas examiner of the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, when he handed down the report for Yanique Leiba's Licentiate of Royal School of Music (LRSM) recital performances recently.

According to him, the notes reflected impressions made on him and this influenced his marking of Ms. Leiba's examination paper.

"I have realised my life long dream", said a very elated and satisfied Yanique.

"I was so overjoyed when the Board handed down the results that I had attained the designation of LRSM in piano, performing with Distinction", she explained.

However, Yanique, the 24-year-old daughter of John and Eleanor Leiba, who began playing the piano at age four, is no stranger to getting distinctions. She has already received seven consecutive distinctions in her piano examinations. Yanique, who is considered by many as a gifted piano student, gained 87 per cent out of a maximum 100 per cent mark, putting her 17 marks above the required pass mark of 70 per cent. She gave thanks to God and her teachers for her successes over the years.

"My real musical studies began with the late Mrs. Ena Helps and this continued at Mona Preparatory School, when I studied piano under the tutelage of Carol Johnson and Sharon Purser".

Yanique, who graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1995, continued her musical journey eyeing her goal and landed at the Foster Dawies School of Music where she was nurtured by the late Jean Anderson, who taught her from grade 3 piano to the Advanced Level Certificate examinations.

"My years with Ms. Anderson were so fruitful. I learnt a whole lot from her. She was one of the most thorough music teachers I ever came across. She pays attention to every minute detail in pieces played. She was never satisfied with mediocrity. She always motivated her students to higher achievements", she said.

Yanique also expressed her appreciation to other tutors who helped her on her musical journey, including Maurice Gordon, Associated Board Representative in Jamaica, Winston Ewart, Director of Studies, School of Music Edna Manley College For The Visual and Performing Arts and the late Tom Murray, former Associated Board Representative in the island.

The classically trained pianist attended Boston University, where she majored in Business Administration. However, while at the University she practised on the piano with assistance from Hung Kuan Chen.

John and Eleanor Leiba support their daughter's life-long ambition.

Mr. Leiba said: "I admire my daughter for her tenacity, staying on her music course, even during a very difficult period of her training, when she lost her tutor, the late Jean Anderson. I hope that she continues to do service to her country and inspire other Jamaicans in the arts. She makes classical music easy to listen to. Any ordinary person can understand her playing. She plays with such understanding".

Yanique has returned to the island and has been making her contribution to the development of the arts. She serves as accompanist for the Seventh Day Praise Chorale, the Moyah Gibson Zuzuki Music School and the S. Stephens United and Bethel Baptist Churches. She works as the trading assistant at the Jamaica Money Market Brokers Limited. The talented young musician also has plans to continue her music career.

"I will continue to assist churches that are struggling to find instrumentalists. And I will definitely be pursuing lessons in another instrument ­ most likely the flute".

Here she expressed great sorrow at the passing of Vibart Seaforth, former Director of Studies JSM, whom she had wanted to study the flute. However, she vows to do so when a tutor is found.

Justin Whyte

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