Pearle Christian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pearle Christian
|
|
|---|---|
President Charles Savarin presents the Golden Drum Award to Christian in 2016
|
|
| Born | 20 March 1955 La Plaine, Dominica, West Indies
|
| Alma mater | Jamaica School of Music |
| Occupation | Music educator, composer, choral music director, and cultural worker |
| Parent(s) | Muriel Christian (née Mathew); Henckell Christian |
| Relatives | L. M. Christian (uncle) |
| Awards | Golden Drum Award |
Pearle Christian, born on March 20, 1955, is a famous music teacher, composer, and director from Dominica. Many people affectionately call her "Aunty Pearle." She is known as "one of Dominica's greatest daughters" because of her amazing work in music and culture. For over 30 years, she worked for the Dominican Government's Cultural Division, helping to share and celebrate their culture. She loves to use Caribbean folk traditions to inspire her music and art. Her uncle, Lemuel McPherson Christian, wrote Dominica's national anthem, "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour."
Contents
Pearle Christian's Early Life and Education
Pearle Christian was born in La Plaine, Dominica. Her parents were Muriel Christian and Henckell Christian. Her father was a government minister, meaning he helped lead the country's education and health departments. Pearle was the third of four sisters.
Learning Music from a Young Age
When she was just seven years old, Pearle started learning to play the piano. Her uncle, L. M. Christian, taught her at the Christian Musical Class. Later, she continued her piano lessons with Rosemary Cools-Lartigue.
Pearle went to school in Roseau at Convent Preparatory School and Convent High School. From 1972 to 1974, she attended Sixth Form College. After finishing her studies there, she taught at Convent Prep and Convent High Schools for two years. During this time, she kept studying music and took special exams from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Studying Music in Jamaica
From 1976 to 1980, Pearle attended the Jamaica School of Music in Kingston, Jamaica. This school is now called the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts. She earned a diploma in Music Education. She was recognized for her talent, being named "Best Third Year Student." In her final year, she won awards for her compositions (the music she wrote) and was named "Student of the Year."
Pearle Christian's Career in Music and Culture
After graduating from the Jamaica School of Music, Pearle was asked to stay and teach there. She worked as a teacher and directed the Junior Choir from 1980 to 1981. Then, she returned to Dominica.
Working for the Government
In 1981, Pearle became a Cultural Officer in the Government of Dominica's Division of Culture. This was a senior position, meaning she had a lot of responsibility in promoting Dominica's culture. She worked in this role until she retired in 2015.
Leading Choirs and Teaching
Pearle has always been very involved with choral music, which is music sung by a group of people. She helped start and manage the National Chorale for 20 years. She also sings with the Dominica Folk Singers and her church choir, the St Alphonsus Folk Choir, which she has been part of since she was a teenager.
Besides singing, Pearle teaches the flute. She also directs the Junior Choir at Kairi School of Music in Roseau. She is well-known for directing the Sixth Form Sisserou Singers. This group started in 1994 as a project between the Division of Culture and the Sixth Form College.
Composing and Training Young Talent
Pearle Christian has written and produced several musicals for children. She has also trained many students at the Kairi School of Music, where she was a main teacher for 17 years.
In 2000, she helped create the Dominica Association of Music Educators. This group believes that every child in Dominica should have the chance to experience music, not just by listening, but also by creating and performing it.
In 2001, she earned a master's degree in Music Education from the University of Texas in San Marcos, Texas.
Retirement and Awards
When Pearle retired in 2015, she said that her biggest achievement was using music to help many young people from different backgrounds grow and develop.
In 2016, she received the Golden Drum Award. This is Dominica's highest cultural honor. She earned it for her excellent work in music education and for promoting choral music.
Selected Works by Pearle Christian
Pearle Christian has written many musicals, especially for children.
Children's Musicals
- 1988: Ananse and Fire
- 1989: Song of the Sisserou (written with Louis Bertrand)
- 1990: Ananse and the Pusher (written with Louis Bertrand)
- 1991: Ananse and the Mirrors (written with Louis Bertrand)
- 1992: Maruka (written with Louis Bertrand)
- 1994: Mama Ella (written with Louis Bertrand)
Children's Mini-Musicals
- 2008: Befriending Ma Ziggily
- 2010: Ma Flora, Golden Keeper of the Savannah
- 2012: Mangolia the Mango Tree
Awards and Recognition
Pearle Christian has received many awards for her contributions to music and culture.
- 1987: Certificate of Commendation (for her work in music education) from the Music Lovers Government Band, Dominica
- 2008: Recognition for Outstanding Work in Arts and Culture from the Dominica Academy of Arts and Science
- 2008: Meritorious Service Award (in the field of culture) from the Government of Dominica, Roseau
- 2010: LIME Creole Lifetime Achievement Award for her service in cultural development
- 2016: Golden Drum Award, for Excellence in Music Education and Promotion of Choral Music
- 2017: ADNExUS Legends Award from the Association of Dominicans in the Northeast USA
