Tessanne unearthing young talents - Beloved songbird nurtures next generation of singers

Driven by her belief in the abundance of young vocal talents waiting to be unearthed, beloved songstress Tessanne Chin is taking the lead in launching an initiative that is poised to establish a premier performing arts centre of excellence in Jamaica.

A little over three weeks ago, Tessanne Chin's Voice Box Performing Arts Company, in partnership with The ASHECompany, unveiled auditions for an innovative endeavoUr known as the 'Summer Singing Intensive'. This programme is currently under way in Kingston and is being spearheaded by the songbird herself, along with a group of prominent performing arts coaches from the island.

Following a tremendous response, and auditions, Chin carefully selected around 25 young singers, ranging from age six to 18, to participate in a two-week camp focused on vocal and performance skills. She has assembled a coaching team that includes Michael Harris, an assistant professor of voice at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and Michael Holgate, the artistic director of The ASHE Company. This team is dedicated to providing participants with vocal coaching, choral and ensemble training, musical theatre experience, as well as mentorship and life skills guidance.

Chin, who won the American talent competition The Voice in 2013 said, "One of Jamaica's most valuable resources is our singers and musicians, many of whom lack the means to pursue formal training." Though Voice Box Performing Arts, which began just over three years ago when a close friend engaged her to help prepare her child for an audition for a school play, the songbird has been providing coaching for some of Jamaica's next generation of vocalists.

"I have always been fascinated with how vocals work and wanting to look at singing from a different point of view. I completed training in vocal pedagogy overseas and this unlocked even more of an interest for me," the distinguished singer said.

Chin recalls having about six students in her first cohort. She found the experience "especially inspiring, because I was so amazed at how quickly children can come out of their shell and just blossom through music".

Empowered by her vision to expand, Chin conceived the current programme with the aim of evolving it into a major arts development hub that encompasses Jamaica's finest talents and artistic education. The launch of Summer Singing Intensive, provided free of charge with the support of various corporate and individual donors, has set this vision into motion.

"I am immensely grateful on behalf of this year's participants for the support of companies like Digicel, Lasco iCool, Tastee Ltd, Jamaica Biscuit Company, and other donor partners, including the International Youth Fellowship, AIM Online Academy, and Meet the Mitchells. They have embraced the vision and offered their unwavering support to make it a reality," Chin emphasised.

Chin recognises the need for more sponsorship and backing for the arts in Jamaica. Recognised for her vocal prowess both locally and internationally, she credits organizations like The Cathy Levy's Little People and Teen Players Club, which played a pivotal role in honing her own talents as a young performer.

Chin's ultimate plan is to establish The Tessanne Chin Foundation, focused on directing resources to promising performers, while continuing to provide training and empowerment to young talents in the performing arts.

Currently, her main focus is on preparing her talented group of young vocalists for a showcase, scheduled for Monday, August 21, which will be the culmination of their efforts over the past two weeks.