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 often called "Aunty Pearle." She is a talented music teacher, composer, and choir director from Dominica. Many people consider her one of Dominica's most important figures.
For over 30 years, until 2015, she worked as a senior officer in the Cultural Division of the Dominican Government. A big part of her work has been using Caribbean folk culture to create new and exciting art. She is also the niece of Lemuel McPherson Christian, who wrote Dominica's national anthem, "Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour."
Contents
Pearle Christian's Early Life and Learning
Pearle Christian was born in La Plaine, Dominica. Her parents were Muriel Christian and Henckell Christian, who served as a government minister. She was the third of four sisters.
When she was seven, Pearle started learning piano. Her uncle, L. M. Christian, taught her at the Christian Musical Class. Later, she studied 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 that, she taught for two years at Convent Prep and Convent High Schools. During this time, she continued her music studies and took special music exams.
From 1976 to 1980, she 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 there. In her third year, she was named the Best Third Year Student. In her final year, she won awards for her compositions and was named Student of the Year.
Pearle Christian's Career in Music
After finishing her studies in Jamaica, Pearle Christian was asked to teach at the Jamaica School of Music. She worked there as a teacher and director of the Junior Choir from 1980 to 1981. Then, she returned to Dominica.
In 1981, she became a Cultural Officer for the Government of Dominica. She held a senior position in the Division of Culture until she retired in 2015.
Pearle Christian has been very involved with choir music for many years. She helped start and managed the National Chorale for two decades. She also sings with the Dominica Folk Singers and her church choir, the St Alphonsus Folk Choir. She has been singing with her church choir since she was a teenager.
She also teaches the flute and directs the Junior Choir at Kairi School of Music in Roseau. She is also the director of the famous Sixth Form Sisserou Singers. This group started in 1994 as a project between the Division of Culture and the Sixth Form College.
Pearle Christian has written and put on several musicals for children. She has also taught 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 works to make sure every child in Dominica can experience music. They want children to not just listen to music, but also to create and perform it.
In 2001, she earned a master's degree in Music Education from the University of Texas in San Marcos, Texas.
When she retired in 2015, Christian said her biggest achievement was helping young people grow through music. She provided a way for many young people from different backgrounds to develop their skills.
In 2016, she received the Golden Drum Award. This is Dominica's highest cultural honor. She received it for her excellent work in music education.
Pearle Christian's Creative Works
Pearle Christian has created many musical works, especially for children.
Children's Musicals
- 1988: Ananse and Fire
- 1989: Song of the Sisserou (with Louis Bertrand)
- 1990: Ananse and the ... (with Louis Bertrand)
- 1991: Ananse and the Mirrors (with Louis Bertrand)
- 1992: Maruka (with Louis Bertrand)
- 1994: Mama Ella (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 culture from the Government of Dominica.
- 2010: LIME Creole Lifetime Achievement Award for her service in cultural development.
- 2016: Golden Drum Award for Excellence in Music Education and promoting choir music.
- 2017: ADNExUS Legends Award from the Association of Dominicans in the Northeast USA.
