Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

A late bloomer to the world of music, at 36 Antonia Ross is forging her way. With a beautiful voice and a growing talent for the guitar, Ross plans to use music as therapy.

Born in St. Lucia but raised in St. Vincent, Ross is a final-year student at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, pursuing a degree in performance. Looking back at her years spent in Jamaica, the singer realises that she has accomplished more than she ever thought she could. While singing wasn't a childhood dream, it was something that had been a part of her life from early. "I always loved music. I discovered my singing ability at 13; I decided to go with it," she said.

Go with it she did, singing in her church choir and with a folk group. However, singing wasn't a career goal. For nine years she worked in a surveillance organisation, as "I had to think about making money and providing for myself." It was after being urged on by Prime Minister of St. Vincent, Dr. Ralph Gonzalez, that she finally decided to pursue music.

Sang for the PM

"There was a government meeting with the Prime Minister and I was encouraged to go and sing. I did some ad lib and the Prime Minister came up to me and said he loved it. He asked me to sing the National Anthem at a function, and afterwards he asked me if I was interested in music. I told him I was but I didn't have the funding; he said he would fix that," Ross said. Antonia entered the Edna Manley College in 2003 with a two-year scholarship offered by the Jamaican Government, after which she was awarded another two-year scholarship, this time from the Organisation of American States.

Antonia has made the most of her Jamaican educational experience. She copped first class honours in the Teachers' Classical Music Festival in 2004, and in that same year passed grade 5 for music for the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music. The successes kept rolling in, as she received a certificate for her solo performance in the 2005 JCDC Jamaica Festival Competition. On the side Antonio is pursuing the guitar, her instrument of choice and first love.

This soprano singer does not stick to only one style. "My sound is a mixture. People tell me I have a classical voice, but I think I can sing jazz and pop as well," she said. Antonia performed at the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in 2006, which sheclaims was her first major performance. Her confidence only continues to catapult, as Antonia continues to perform outside of Edna Manley College. She performed at the British High Commission's 2006 Christmas party, where she was requested by the European Council to sing the Jamaican National Anthem.

After Edna Manley College, Antonia intends to apply to Berkeley College in Boston to study music therapy and performance in music. "I believe that we can use our talent for good to bring a positive light to people's lives. I would like to touch people's lives, I believe one can minister outside of church through music," she said. She plans to give back to her country, with the intention of returning home to set up a music studio. She claims that the need for voice technicians is rising, and it would be good to share her experience with her fellow St. Vincentians.