Trinbagonian Steelpan Innovator

SAVION NICHOLLS

Voices in Praise – Steel & Song

Savion’s musical journey is one of continuous development, shaped by early training, formal education, performance and a deep exploration of the possibilities of steelpan and contemporary music technology.
Savion is a versatile professional musician whose work encompasses steelpan performance, composition, arranging, orchestration, electronic music, music technology and digital music.
His journey from early musical training and school performances to advanced academic study, international performance and experimentation with technology continues to shape a distinctive artistic voice and an evolving approach to the possibilities of the steelpan.

Trinbagonian
Steelpan
Innovator

SAVION
NICHOLLS

Voices in Praise – Steel & Song

Savion’s musical journey is one of continuous development, shaped by early training, formal education, performance and a deep exploration of the possibilities of steelpan and contemporary music technology.
Savion is a versatile professional musician whose work encompasses steelpan performance, composition, arranging, orchestration, electronic music, music technology and digital music.
His journey from early musical training and school performances to advanced academic study, international performance and experimentation with technology continues to shape a distinctive artistic voice and an evolving approach to the possibilities of the steelpan.

SAVION NICHOLLS

Master of Music • Steelpan Soloist, Composer & Conductor

FROM TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

TO THE WORLD

A New Voice For The Modern Steelpan

Savion’s musical development began at an early age through the Royal School of Music theory examinations (Grade 8) undertaken through Birdsong Academy, steelpan practical examinations up to Grade 8 through UWI’s Department of Creative and Festival Arts and participation in school concerts at the British Academy, Port-of-Spain.
His exposure to university-level music education continued at The University of the West Indies, where members of the Music Faculty invited him to audit selected classes. He subsequently pursued formal tertiary training at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) in the USA earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music ( Magna Cum Laude ), and a Master’s degree in Music, achieving a 3.886 GPA and a tuition waiver.
These experiences strengthened his abilities as a steelpan performer, composer, arranger and orchestrator, while expanding his practice into electronic, digital and computer-based music.
Performance has remained central to Savion’s development, with experience spanning local and international concerts, collaborations, ensemble work and solo performances.
Across these experiences, he has explored diverse musical traditions while continually seeking new ways to interpret and present the steelpan.

The steelpan has an incredible range of possibilities. I am interested in exploring those possibilities through composition, arrangement, technology and collaboration, while remaining connected to the instrument's Caribbean roots.

— SAVION NICHOLLS

FROM TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

TO THE WORLD

A New Voice For The Modern Steelpan

The steelpan has an incredible range of possibilities. I am interested in exploring those possibilities through composition, arrangement, technology and collaboration, while remaining connected to the instrument's Caribbean roots.

— SAVION NICHOLLS

Championing Neurodivergent Artistry

As an artist on the autism spectrum, Savion is deeply passionate about neurodiversity in the arts. Through collaborations with the Autism Society of Trinidad and Tobago, he advocates for accessible platforms, highlighting how unique cognitive wiring drives exceptional artistic focus, complex memory recall, and deep musical innovation.

Savion’s musical development began at an early age through the Royal School of Music theory examinations (Grade 8) undertaken through Birdsong Academy, steelpan practical examinations up to Grade 8 through UWI’s Department of Creative and Festival Arts and participation in school concerts at the British Academy, Port-of-Spain.
His exposure to university-level music education continued at The University of the West Indies, where members of the Music Faculty invited him to audit selected classes. He subsequently pursued formal tertiary training at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) in the USA earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music ( Magna Cum Laude ), and a Master’s degree in Music, achieving a 3.886 GPA and a tuition waiver.
These experiences strengthened his abilities as a steelpan performer, composer, arranger and orchestrator, while expanding his practice into electronic, digital and computer-based music.
Performance has remained central to Savion’s development, with experience spanning local and international concerts, collaborations, ensemble work and solo performances.
Across these experiences, he has explored diverse musical traditions while continually seeking new ways to interpret and present the steelpan.

TICKETS for Voices in Praise

Join us for an unforgettable evening of steelpan mastery, inspirational music and creative excellence.
Select your preferred date below and secure your tickets on Island eTickets.

OCT

17

SATURDAY

The Opening Performance

Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain • 7:00PM

Kick off the concert with stellar steelpan ensembles, solo performers, and the combined majestic voices of the Choir.

GENERAL ADMISSION

$250 TTD

Tickets for Saturday

OCT

18

SUNDAY

Grand Finale

Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain • 6:30 PM

The final showcase featuring steel orchestras and outstanding performances.

GENERAL ADMISSION

$250 TTD

Tickets for Sunday

TICKET OUTLETS


Get your official passes from our secure physical outlets, authorized committee reps, or book online instantly.

AMBASSADORS

Janice & Nikolai


Music Store Outlet

Simon's Musical Supplies Ltd


Retail Outlet

Bobarista


Online Box Office

Island eTickets


Celebrating Neurodivergent Talent
Savion’s artistic journey reflects the importance of creating opportunities for neurodivergent talent to be seen, heard and celebrated. Savion has developed his own distinctive relationship with music and creative expression, demonstrating the power of an environment that nurtures individual talent and possibility. Savion’s family has a desire to create greater visibility and opportunity for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.

A portion of the proceeds from the two concerts will be donated to the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago in support of its important work with autistic and neurodivergent persons and their families. We extend a special invitation to parents and families of neurodivergent children who may wish to join us on either evening.

Performances & Video Recitals


Voices in Praise

STEEL & SONG


TWO-NIGHT PRODUCTION • OCTOBER 2026

A New Artistic Chapter

Experience a historic musical milestone as master steelpan virtuoso Savion Nicholls debuts a breathtaking new collection of original compositions and sacred arrangements. Orchestrated specifically for Bravura Arts Choir and Lydian Steel, this two-night event bridges deep Caribbean roots, innovative modern jazz, and majestic choral harmony into a singular, unforgettable spiritual journey.

$250 each

A New Voice for the Steelpan

Voices in Praise: Steel and Song, taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2026 at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain, is a celebration of music, talent and possibility. The concert brings together Savion Nicholls, Trinidad and Tobago-born steelpan soloist, composer, arranger and conductor, the Bravura Arts Choir with guest conductor Dike Samai, Lydian Steel, pianist Alan Cooper, and guest vocalists and musicians for a programme that explores the versatility of the steelpan across musical genres.
At the heart of the concert is something very personal to us: a desire to create greater visibility and opportunity for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.
Savion’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when talent is recognised, encouraged and given the opportunity to shine. We hope his story will inspire young people and their families, while encouraging all of us to look beyond perceived limitations and see the possibilities within every individual.
More than simply a concert, we hope Voices in Praise: Steel and Song will be an evening of connection, celebration and encouragement—a reminder that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, find people who believe in them, see positive role models and have their talents celebrated.
We look forward to sharing this special evening with the community and, together, helping to create more opportunities for every individual to find their voice and their place.

I see this performance as an important part of my journey as an artist. It allows me to share the steelpan in a way that reflects where I come from, what I have studied and where I believe the instrument can go.

— SAVION NICHOLLS

Featured Repertoire Highlights

Audiences will experience inspirational and sacred music experienced through a contemporary Caribbean sound:

"When steelpan meets song, praise takes on a new sound."

A New Voice for the Steelpan

Voices in Praise: Steel and Song, taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2026 at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain, is a celebration of music, talent and possibility. The concert brings together Savion Nicholls, Trinidad and Tobago-born steelpan soloist, composer, arranger and conductor, the Bravura Arts Choir with guest conductor Dike Samai, Lydian Steel, pianist Alan Cooper, and guest vocalists and musicians for a programme that explores the versatility of the steelpan across musical genres.
At the heart of the concert is something very personal to us: a desire to create greater visibility and opportunity for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals.
Savion’s journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when talent is recognised, encouraged and given the opportunity to shine. We hope his story will inspire young people and their families, while encouraging all of us to look beyond perceived limitations and see the possibilities within every individual.
More than simply a concert, we hope Voices in Praise: Steel and Song will be an evening of connection, celebration and encouragement—a reminder that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, find people who believe in them, see positive role models and have their talents celebrated.
We look forward to sharing this special evening with the community and, together, helping to create more opportunities for every individual to find their voice and their place.

I see this performance as an important part of my journey as an artist. It allows me to share the steelpan in a way that reflects where I come from, what I have studied and where I believe the instrument can go.

— SAVION NICHOLLS

Featured Repertoire Highlights

Audiences will experience inspirational and sacred music experienced through a contemporary Caribbean sound:

"When steelpan meets song, praise takes on a new sound."
WORLD-CLASS ARTISTRY

The Production Cast


SAVION NICHOLLS

STEELPAN SOLOIST, COMPOSER AND MUSICAL INNOVATOR

Savion is a Trinidad & Tobago-born steelpan soloist, composer and musical innovator whose work expands the role of the steelpan within contemporary concert and electronic music.

His playing is noted for its combination of technical assurance, sensitivity and expressive vitality.
As a collaborative pianist, Cooper has worked with many of the Caribbean’s leading singers and instrumentalists, including Anne Fridal, Natalia Dopwell, Rahel Moore, Jeanine De Bique, Edward Cumberbatch and Keisha Baisden, while also performing internationally in Spain, Barbados and Costa Rica. His long-standing commitment to musical collaboration has extended beyond the concert platform to work as accompanist, mentor and contributor to the development of young musicians.
Cooper is also the founder of Culture Box Caribbean, through which he has produced a wide range of artistic projects linking music with social and cultural purpose. His work reflects a consistent belief in the arts as a means of strengthening community, encouraging social awareness and advancing inclusion. Beyond performance, he contributes to arts governance and environmental advocacy through his service with Bravura Arts and Future Fishers, bringing together musicianship, cultural leadership and public service. Alan holds both the Associate and Licentiate professional diplomas in piano performance from Trinity College of London, United Kingdom, having attained both with distinction, summa cum laude.

KAMARIA KEENS-DUMAS JACK

SOPRANO

Kamaria is a Trinidad and Tobago soprano whose musical journey began in childhood through church singing. 

At age 12, she became a member of The C-Singers, beginning a lifelong passion for vocal performance.
She went on to participate in the Trinidad and Tobago Biennial Music Festival, earning several awards for both ensemble and solo performances. Her experience with the Music Amateurs Choir, under the guidance of Mrs. Ruby Warner, was particularly significant in helping her discover and develop her soprano voice and deepen her appreciation for choral and solo music. Today, Kamaria leads the Mt. Pleasant Chorale, a Tobago-based a cappella ensemble dedicated to using the beauty and power of unaccompanied voices to inspire, encourage and minister to others. She is also committed to nurturing emerging vocal talent, supporting singers through JD’s Vocal Academy and creating opportunities for young people to develop confidence through performance, including the Christmas Concert she initiated at Bishop’s High School Tobago. A passionate advocate for music as a means of expression, connection and empowerment, Kamaria continues to share her voice and musical gifts through performance, mentorship and service. She is also a Doctor of Physiotherapy at Scarborough General Hospital, wife and mother.

Jaydelle Baird

MEZZO SOPRANO

Jaydelle Baird is a Trinidadian mezzo-soprano whose rich vocal colour, expressive musicality and commanding stage presence have distinguished her among an emerging generation of Caribbean vocal artists.

Born into a musical family and raised in Tobago, she developed an early love of singing that has grown into a serious artistic vocation. A highly decorated competitor at the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, she has earned more than 40 first- and second-place awards across classical, spiritual, oratorio and contemporary sacred repertoire, including the Bernadette Laughlin Scott Trophy for her performance of We Shall Behold Him.
Her repertoire embraces classical music, jazz, spirituals, Broadway and contemporary sacred song, reflecting both versatility and a deep commitment to expressive storytelling. Baird has appeared in numerous concerts and productions, has studied at the University of the Southern Caribbean and the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and was mentored by the late Dr. Leah Brown, continuing her development under Margaret Richards. In Voices in Praise: Steel & Song, her warm, resonant mezzo-soprano is featured in Give Me Jesus and We Shall Behold Him, two works that reveal both the intimacy and the power of her voice.

Michael Ron Christopher

BARITENOR & THE MRC BAND

Michael Ron Christopher (MRC) is a Trinidad and Tobago baritenor and gospel recording artiste whose musical roots were shaped by the “old-school” gospel sounds he heard at home, including artists such as Andraé Crouch, Wintley Phipps and Evie Tornquist.

Born in south Trinidad, he was later influenced by groups and artists such as Take 6, Fred Hammond and Commissioned, developing a distinctive style he describes as “island gospel.” Husband, father and youth leader as well as performer, MRC brings warmth, conviction and an unmistakably personal spirit to his music.
Asked to define his genre, he simply says, “Genuine is my genre.” Whether reggae, jazz, traditional or contemporary gospel, his performances are grounded in what he sincerely feels, believes and is inspired to express. His musical journey later joined him with Chosen Generation the Band, a group of young musicians from La Brea committed to gospel ministry. Together, MRC & Chosen Generation have spent almost a decade ministering across Trinidad and Tobago, with a shared mission to use music to awaken hearts to authentic worship.

Collaborating Presenters & Instrumental Cast


Alan Cooper

PIANIST

Alan Cooper is a Trinidad and Tobago pianist, arts impresario and cultural advocate whose career spans more than two decades of performance, artistic production and community-centred musical engagement. 

Beginning piano studies at the age of nine, he quickly distinguished himself at the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, earning numerous first-place awards and later receiving a lifetime award in recognition of his exceptional recital performances.

His playing is noted for its combination of technical assurance, sensitivity and expressive vitality.
As a collaborative pianist, Cooper has worked with many of the Caribbean’s leading singers and instrumentalists, including Anne Fridal, Natalia Dopwell, Rahel Moore, Jeanine De Bique, Edward Cumberbatch and Keisha Baisden, while also performing internationally in Spain, Barbados and Costa Rica. His long-standing commitment to musical collaboration has extended beyond the concert platform to work as accompanist, mentor and contributor to the development of young musicians.
Cooper is also the founder of Culture Box Caribbean, through which he has produced a wide range of artistic projects linking music with social and cultural purpose. His work reflects a consistent belief in the arts as a means of strengthening community, encouraging social awareness and advancing inclusion. Beyond performance, he contributes to arts governance and environmental advocacy through his service with Bravura Arts and Future Fishers, bringing together musicianship, cultural leadership and public service. Alan holds both the Associate and Licentiate professional diplomas in piano performance from Trinity College of London, United Kingdom, having attained both with distinction, summa cum laude.

KEISHA BAISDEN

VIOLINIST

Keisha Baisden is a Trinidad and Tobago–born violinist, multi instrumentalist, and music therapist whose early training at Pan Pipers and exceptional national achievements established her as one of the country’s most gifted young musicians.

She excelled both artistically and academically, winning numerous scholarships throughout her secondary and tertiary studies. A standout performer from an early age, she opened the Trinidad and Tobago National Music Festival with the demanding César Franck Violin Sonata, demonstrating the technical mastery and musical maturity that would define her career. She later completed her Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy and Psychology at the University of Miami and went on to earn a Master’s Restorative Practices, with a focus on trauma in adolescents and young adults. deepening her expertise in adolescent and behavioural music psychotherapy.
From 2019, expanded her performance and therapeutic practice abroad. She has performed regularly in the USA, Bahamas, and other Caribbean countries. She has also collaborated with Alan Cooper on several artistic and developmental projects, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary and community centred work. She continues to champion musical initiatives, youth programmes and performance projects that make a difference socially. Her career blends artistic excellence, academic distinction, and a sustained dedication to using music as a transformative tool for healing, education, and cultural connection.

Dean Williams

GUITARIST

Dean Williams is a Trinidad-based guitar artist and composer whose music lives at the intersection of Smooth Jazz, Fusion and Caribbean rhythm.

He struck gold on The TriniJazzProject album (Parlemuzik) with two compositions: ‘A Woman’s Sweetness’ and ‘Li Jwe Gita’ He has won the Silver ADDY Award in the Caribbean Region for his theme and sound track composed for the television series What’s Cooking Now for Unilever. Trinidad Guardian labelled him the “…eclectic jazz guitarist…” and praised his “…masterful touch…” as he “…delivered a set of sensual George Benson – inflected smooth guitar, marking him as one of the young local musicians who embraces the challenge of taking his instrument to ears beyond our shores.”

Dike Samai

CONDUCTOR

Dike Samai is a media composer, arranger, and lecturer based in Trinidad and Tobago.

A Fulbright Scholar, he holds a Certificate in Orchestration for Film and Media from the Berklee College of Music, a Certificate in Steelpan and a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Arts from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, and a Master of Music in Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring from New York University, where he graduated with a 3.97 GPA. He is the first and only Trinidad and Tobago national to earn this degree from that institution. With over 25 years of steel pan performance and teaching experience, he now serves as Senior Steel Pan Instructor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Through mentoring youth who have gone on to pursue music studies and become mentors themselves, he remains committed to fostering the next generation of musicians.

Featured Performing Ensembles

Bravura Arts

Bravura Arts is a Trinidad and Tobago–based non‑profit performing arts organisation dedicated to developing and showcasing the country’s rich reservoir of youthful musical talent. 

Founded in 2014 as a collective of trained local performers, the ensemble quickly grew in scope and public acclaim, eventually formalising its operations under the Registration of Business Names Act (Chap. 82:85). Its mandate blends artistic excellence with cultural stewardship, reflected in a portfolio of feature productions such as Christmas Suite (2014), Celebrating Spirit (2016), Faith Hope Love (2018), and Harmonies of the Season (2023), alongside high‑profile invitations including Carifesta XIV, the Global Leadership Summit, and performances for the Archbishop of Trinidad and Tobago. As the pamphlet notes, Bravura Arts was created to “harness and develop the abundance of youthful musical talent in Trinidad and Tobago,” a mission that continues to define its artistic identity.
Equally central to Bravura’s vision is its commitment to community impact. The organisation’s “Beyond the Gift of Music” initiative partners with charitable institutions to deliver musical education, therapeutic performances, and social upliftment. Recent efforts include refurbishing the music room at St. Mary’s Children’s Home and planning workshops and performance opportunities for at‑risk youth, with future collaborations envisioned with the Autistic Society of Trinidad & Tobago and the Caura Hospital Palliative Care Unit. As Bravura approaches its next phase of growth—including securing a permanent rehearsal and training facility—it continues to position itself as both a cultural beacon and a socially responsive arts institution, offering sponsors a meaningful opportunity to support artistic excellence, youth development, and national cultural advancement.

Lydian Steel

The Lydian Steel Ensemble stands as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most artistically ambitious steel ensembles, distinguished by its integration into the wider Lydians performing family. Test

Emerging in the mid 90s through Dr. Pat Bishop’s keen eye for talent and a desire to breach an innovative frontier in pannist literacy and ability the ensemble brings the expressive range of the steelpan into classical, sacred, and contemporary repertoire with a level of refinement that mirrors the Lydians’ choral tradition. Their performances reflect the ensemble’s mission to elevate the national instrument beyond its conventional boundaries, demonstrating its versatility in orchestral textures, liturgical settings, and cross‑genre collaborations. Through disciplined musicianship and a deep respect for the cultural legacy of the steelpan, Lydian Steel has become a vital extension of the group’s artistic identity.

OFFICIAL MEDIA CONTACT

SIGHTFACTORY ltd.


Roxanne Colthrust
Managing Director