Envision a youth orchestra of vibrant talents spanning the Caribbean archipelago. Envision young people across far-reaching islands all learning to play an instrument, gaining access to music education from home from professional musicians around the globe. This groundbreaking vision inspired the creation of the All-Caribbean Youth Orchestra (ACYO), which connects young Caribbean musicians from different backgrounds and cultures through the power of music.
The All-Caribbean Youth Orchestra was born in 2023 as the initiative of two GLI Fellows, conductor Marlon Daniel (USA – GLI 2023) and Nicole de Weever (Sint Maarten – GLI 2024). ACYO’s mission is to nurture youth through music mentorship and intensive orchestra experience training with professional teaching artists. The project’s goal is to create a progressive movement toward improvement in music education throughout the Caribbean archipelago.
In the words of collaborator Nicole de Weever, who also leads the Art Saves Lives Foundation, “The creation of ACYO is so important to Sint Maarten. To hone a skill like playing an instrument is to express yourself beyond the borders of Sint Maarten’s 37 square miles, connecting the island to the world. Putting your island on the map is deeply meaningful; I’ve felt that in my artistic career, gracing the Broadway stage was history for my island and that cultural pride feeds my will to lead the way for others.” In a country focused mainly on tourism, this arts-centered project promises to develop not only creative skills for participants but a wide range of new capacities for youth on the island: “To dedicate oneself entirely to something not typical makes people think that possibilities are endless.”
In its first edition, 25 young music learners received online mentorship from seven professional musicians worldwide through ACYO. Violin, Voila, Trumpet, Cello, Flute, and Double Bass lessons readied learners for a one-week summer intensive orchestral experience hosted at the National Institute of Arts in Sint Maarten, the first island to develop this orchestra. This summer program led to youth participants learning and presenting four works by Bach, Bartók, Mozart, and Joseph Bologne (Chevalier de Saint-Georges). In the words of Marlon Daniel: “The courage of the students was exemplary. Daily, they trusted me and the other Teaching Artists with patience that touched our souls and energized us to do our best.”
The Global Leaders Institute recently caught up with Marlon Daniel to learn more about the first edition of ACYO, along with the challenges and opportunities he sees for the project’s future —
What gave rise to the All-Caribbean Youth Orchestra?
In May 2022, The Arts Saves Lives Foundation asked me to evaluate the music/orchestra program at the National Institute of Arts – Sint Maarten and improve it. I deduced that in its current state, it could not be sustainable, which began my evaluation of other music schools and ensembles in the Caribbean. Most were in the same shape and needed enhancement with a higher level of music education. The possibility for young musicians to pursue a music career provided they acquired this higher level of education. This process was also a way to connect these young people, sometimes only separated by a small body of water, and give them a sense of community. Many of these children are the product and evolution of centuries of slavery and inequality. They do not have access to the best international music training, and their lives are now affected by various socioeconomic disadvantages.
What opportunity or social problem drove you to create this?
Through this program, young musicians see different possibilities than their current environment, a “sound path” that might change their lives to pursue a collegiate education in or out of music. We believe that “Island Talent Unified Through Music” will give these youths interaction with other young musicians from other islands and, eventually, we hope the world.
What was the reach of this initiative on its first edition, what ages were the music learners, and how many learners will ACYO serve in the next edition?
Due to funding and time constraints, we had twenty-five young musicians (ages 9 -22) who participated in the program out of a proposed fifty. Because of the 2023 project’s unequivocal success, we project to reach our goal in 2024. There are already several islands that are seeking participation for their young musicians. If they were to all participate, we would exceed our expectations. We will grow from a chamber orchestra to a full symphonic orchestra within three years.
Who supported this initiative beyond the Art Saves Lives Foundation and the National Arts Institute in Sint Maarten?
The Dutch Government, The French government, private donors and foundations, and small businesses solicited through grassroots fundraising initiatives. Sint Maarten is an island of two governments, French and Dutch. Its northern French side, called Saint-Martin, has a population of about 32,000. Its southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten, has about 41,000 people. The French government covered flights and transportation; the Dutch government, through the Dutch Ministry of Tourism and Culture, offered hotel accommodations for all teaching artists.
What is the greatest challenge ahead in your view?
Sustainability is a challenge. The Art Saves Lives Foundation has stopped charging beneficiaries for arts education since Hurricane Irma struck the island in 2017. It was a category five storm with strong winds that heavily destroyed the island. This infrastructure is still being rebuilt, especially on the French side of the island.
The other challenge is networking with performing art schools and the French government. The French government will only finance educational initiatives with French students. French music schools fear losing music learners to Dutch music schools that sponsor rehearsals, such as the National Institute of Arts (NIA). We plan to recruit learners from other islands to alleviate this zero-sum view.
What may we see you working on next?
I have the next Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges in Guadeloupe to organize for November 2023; I will return as Associate Conductor of Florida Grand Opera this season, acquire more guest conducting internationally, and continue my journey to seek a permanent Orchestral and Opera Music Director position in the United States or abroad.
About Marlon Daniel
Marlon Daniel (USA – GLI MBA 2023) is an acclaimed conductor, dynamic educator, and active social entrepreneur who has worked and performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. He is a protégé of the renowned Finnish pedagogue Jorma Panula and is the world’s foremost exponent of the music of Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Marlson has performed in well-known venues in Asia, Europe, and the United States, from Carnegie Hall to the Rudolfinum. He is a laureate of the 2018 Bucharest Symphony Orchestra International Conducting Competition and a recipient of the ‘Voice of the Artist’ Award from the United Nations for his charitable work bringing awareness to the crisis in Darfur. Recently, he has made acclaimed débuts with Chineke! in London, the Havana Lyceum Orchestra, Sofia Sinfonietta, Tatarstan National Symphony Orchestra, and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba.
About Nicole de Weever
Nicole Chantal de Weever is the Founder/Coordinator/President of the Art Saves Lives Foundation. She is well known for representing the island of Sint Maarten as a celebrated dancer.
As a dancer, Nicole received the Fred and Adele Astaire Award for Best Female Dancer on Broadway and the ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus for the Musical Fela! She performed at The View, Stephen Colbert Report, 64th Annual Tony Awards, The BET Honor’s Awards, Obbie Awards, Broadway on Broadway, Broadway in Bryant Park, Afro Pop Hall of Fame Awards, AUDELCO Awards, Black Film Festival, Dance Africa, West Side Story World Tour, FELA! Off-Broadway, FELA! on Broadway and FELA! World Tour.
Nicole is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Fairfax Ballet and Motiance.
About The Arts Saves Lives Foundation
Founded in 2013, the Arts Saves Lives Foundation (ASLF) started as an independent initiative created by Nicole Chantal de Weever on her home island, Sint Maarten. Aware of the importance of institutional infrastructure, Nicole sought to support arts education in Sint Maarten by creating an official nonprofit. She started several local fundraising activities that made the public complicit in the notary registration process of the nonprofit. Efforts included neighborhood cupcake sales that made islanders a part of the conversation.
Today, the Art Saves Lives Foundation functions as a space for exchange between Sint Maarten’s youth and experienced performing arts professionals who bring their talent to work for social impact. This collaborative project selects distinguished arts professionals yearly to develop Sint Maarten’s youth expression and potential, presenting a world-class work standard meant to motivate youth to believe that their talent is welcome and relevant globally. For this, intensive summer programs offer guidance opportunities for over 200 young arts learners with aspirations to pursue a career in the arts. Additionally, the foundation seeks to celebrate and empower local traditions by presenting the necessary life skills communities need to master to navigate the challenges of everyday life.
