Tutors
David Weatherhead
Program Director & Clarinet Tutor
Clarinet Tutor
Although Mr. Weatherhead has never pursued a fulltime career in music, his musical accomplishments make interesting reading. As a student of Harrison College he was introduced to the clarinet at the age of 11 by Mr. Winsley Alleyne, the Principal Clarinettist of the Royal Barbados Police Force Band.
He developed at such a rate that after one (1) term he became Principal Clarinettist in the school orchestra, and within that same year was invited to join the Barbados Symphonia by the late Janice Millington-Robertson. This was the beginning of a career that saw him as Principal Clarinettist of the Barbados Regiment Band and Principal Clarinettist/Bassoonist of the Barbados Symphonia.
It wasn’t long however that, at the age of 15, he was asked to conduct several performances of the Barbados Regiment Band. He also conducted the Combermere School Cadet Band at the first Tin Pan Alley in 1977 while still a schoolboy at Harrison College. He subsequently became Musical Director of the Band of the Barbados Boy Scouts (1978-1980), the Band of the Barbados Regiment (1987-1992), the Barbados Chamber Orchestra (1993-1995), and the Barbados National Youth Orchestra (1996- 2001). He has also conducted the musicals ‘Once on This Island’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, and the comic opera ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. In 1990, David concretized his practical experience in conducting, by attending the ‘First Course for Young Orchestral Conductors of Latin America and the Caribbean’ held in Caracas, Venezuela.
He was one of 18 selected from over 350 applicants and one of two English speaking participants. He has for the past 22 years taught Conducting in the associate degree in music program at the Barbados Community College. There, he has also taught Clarinet and Bassoon and in the absence of specialist tutors, has supervised an Oboist and a French Horn player as well.
On the popular music front, David played Saxophone with the Crop-Over Festival for 28 years and retired as its Deputy Director. He has also been Musical Director of Conquerors Calypso Tent (1986-2001), All Stars Calypso Tent (2002-2005), the Barbados Song Contest (1992-1999) and the Caribbean Song Festival (1993-2000). He has performed in Barbados, the U.S.A., Columbia, Trinidad, and St. Vincent. His performances include a guest appearance with the Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, and as a member of the Roger Gittens’ Group which opened for Kenny G at the Barbados Jazz Festival.
David has conceptualised and produced shows including “50th Anniversary of Independence Gala Show”, “Classic Crop Over – A Tribute to the Pioneers”, “Crop Over 40th Anniversary – Monarchs in Concert”, “…On the Grand Old Bechstein – A Classical Legacy Concert”, and “Mosaic Concert Series”, now in its eight edition. David has written/co-written calypsos for/with several artists including Adrian Clarke, Chrystal Cummins-Beckles-Holder and Ian Webster. He has arranged for all of the ensembles that he has conducted and also several calypsonians.
David has taught music at the Coleridge and Parry Secondary School, the Belleville Grammar School and the Foundation Secondary School. He continues to teach clarinet, conducting and woodwind ensemble playing at the Barbados Community College and is the Programme Coordinator/Clarinet Teacher of the Headstart Music Programme and can still be seen performing as a soloist and leading his saxophone quartet for private functions and concerts.
David holds Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Physics, a Post-graduate Diploma in Education with distinction, a Post-graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership with credit, a Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (Dip. ABRSM) and is a Licentiate of Trinity College of London Recital (LTCL), the latter two in Clarinet Performance.
Andre Woodvine
Saxophone Tutor
Jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Andre Woodvine is a graduate of Berklee College of Music (1986), where he earned a degree in saxophone and flute performance. For over 35 years, André’s music has taken him to stages across the Caribbean, North America and Europe where audiences have enjoyed his passionate tone, exciting improvisations and unique compositions. In 2000, André assisted in the establishment of an associate degree of music program at the Barbados Community College where he currently teaches part-time. André is also in demand as a private instructor teaching all ages and levels.
For 20 years André was a touring and recording member of the Martinique jazz group Fal Fret.
André enjoys composing for both film and commercial recordings, his original film score of the 2015 Penny Hynam documentary “Barbados Surfer girl” received an award of merit from the Los Angeles Best Shorts Competition and the award of “Best musical score” in the annual Barbados Visual Media Awards. In 2020, André, along with Roger Gittens was the joint recipient of the Barbados Independent Film Festival award for artistic excellence.
Andre has produced four CDs of original Caribbean Jazz, available at andrewoodvine.com, cdbaby.com and iTunes world-wide.
Kweku Jelani
Trumpet Tutor
From the age of 12, Kweku Omoyele Jelani started to develop his musical gifts. Born and raised in the parish of Saint Andrew, Barbados’ acclaimed trumpeter, vocalist and musical director comes from a family of creatives. So far during Kweku’s 16 year long career, he has traveled and performed in numerous jazz, blues and music festivals throughout the Caribbean, UK, and alongside brilliant and accomplished musicians including the Arturo Tappin Band, The NJ30, Spice and Company, and the 1688 Orchestra. Kweku has also performed alongside Grammy Award winning artists Lala Hathaway, Lilly McCloud and Maurice Brown.
With many weekly bookings at prime hotels and restaurants across Barbados, Kweku, while pursuing his Bachelor’s in music, still makes time as a music teacher to share his passion and inspire others. The 28 year-old musician continues to push through musical borders wielding dynamic collaborations with other artists and seeks to expand his range of talents and musical offerings.
Inspired by Arturo Sandoval, Kweku’s lifestyle, performances, and teachings reflect the quote …..
“Blow your life through your horn.”
Farakhan Stephens
Percussion Tutor
With close to two decades of experience in performance and education, Farakhan Stephens continues to pursue his career in the Arts. Farakhan’s musical roots were planted in percussion, before branching out to the Piano. His proficiency has landed him on a number of stages locally and abroad, including all of the major music festivals in Barbados. Mr. Stevens has also toured in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the USA, covering a variety of genres; Jazz, Reggae, Soca, Gospel, Pop, Folk and Classical.
Currently, Farakhan is a full-time Music Teacher, Percussionist and tutor with the Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra, holding qualifications from Education Teachers’ Training College, The Barbados Community College, The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and Trinity College of London. Mr. Stevens has successfully attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Arts and Entertainment Management.
“Meeting students where they are and carrying them from there is much easier than trying to have them search to catch up with you.
Dexter Norville
Flute Tutor