A message from Brainerd Blyden-Taylor

Members of the Training Choir

I am proud to present all of the individuals listed below as members of the unique community that is The Nathaniel Dett Chorale. In 2008, in partnership with the Toronto District School Board and with the support of The Bennett Family Foundation, TD Canada Trust Music and RBC Foundation, we launched a training program for senior high school students of African heritage

Every Wednesday the Training Choir meets for instruction in Afrocentric history, music theory and vocal ensemble; each young singer also receives a weekly voice lesson. The Training Choir comes together with the professional ensemble for workshops and mentoring, and occasional public performances. Singers who graduate from the Training Choir program will have the opportunity to become Apprentices with the professional ensemble.

All the instructors for these two initiatives are either Board members or current members and alumni of the professional ensemble. Through this unique program we are furthering our mission to build bridges of understanding, appreciation and acceptance through the medium of music.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale Training Choir

• Lakesha Bambury
• Kimma Wells
• Denise Beateng
• Sarah Montalba
  Sarah was exposed to the arts from a very young age. Her interest in music started around age 6, and from there she became interested in both acting and dance; the latter has become a great passion for her. It wasn’t until her teen years that she rediscovered her love of music, and singing in particular.
• Knikole Frans
  Knikole is a Grade 10 student attending Rosedale Heights School of the Arts.She has been a member of the Toronto Children’s Concert Choir & Performing Arts Company (TC3) for over 8 years and is an Alto Section Leader, soloist and is a member of the African, Contemporary and Hip Hop dance teams. Knikole has had the opportunity of performing with TC3 throughout Ontario, across Canada, United States and England and has appeared in various local television programs and a Mike Myers movie. Knikole is one of the fortunate recipients selected to participate in the Nathaniel Dett Chorale Training Choir workshop and was privileged to perform in the TDSB Martin Luther King Day concert at the Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. Knikole is a graduate of Barbizon Academy of Modelling, Acting and Personal Development. Her goal is to pursue a career in music and to study entertainment law.
• Shanyka Braithwaite
• Okeim Vassell
• Neville Winn
• Cleon Mills
• Steven Bennett
• Hervé Kariki-KabongoHervé Kariki began singing at the age of 9. Although he only sang to himself (with the help of Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey to name a few), an early start, and a love of music helped him develop his voice.

  Hervé’s first public performance was in the 10th grade, when his school was hosting a Christmas talent show. He and a friend sang a duet that was well received, and that moment helped give Hervé the push he needed to strive for his dream of becoming a performer.

  Since then, Hervé has begun to work in the studio to create a demo, and he has been writing, composing and producing his own songs. He also started getting into different kinds of artistic performances, from Shakespearean theatre acting to classical, urban, modern and contemporary forms of dance.

  This is Hervé’s second year participating in The Nathaniel Dett Chorale Training Choir, which he feels is a great opportunity to learn more and develop his skills as a singer, and to become a more well-rounded musician. Hervé hopes to continue to learn more and develop his craft and eventually become the artist he envisions himself to be. He, along with several thousands, probably millions of people in this world hopes to become famous one day, but not for the sake of fame, but for the sake of giving a positive message, inspiring others, and giving joy, all through the power of love and art.