HARLEY ROBERTSON

HARLEY ROBERTSON was just a teen, dabbling in music and feeling very indifferent toward studying it. Now, he holds a doctoral degree in music performance and is employed with the Department of Education in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the University of the Virgin Islands. Here, Dr. Robertson tells us how indifference changed to passion and why he chose to become a musical arts educator:
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My parents exposed me to various types of music from a very young age. When I was seven years old, I began playing close attention to various styles, especially classical and local music. But, throughout my childhood and early teens, I still went through moments of disinterest and indifference. My teachers, however, kept reminding me that I had “great talent and potential” so I made music a serious part of my life. I completed the practical examinations with the Associated Boards of Royal Schools of Music, while being a part of what was then the St. Augustine Chamber Orchestra (later the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic). I played Double Bass. The director of this orchestra, Kenneth Listhrop, taught me in primary school. He figured I would be a good fit for what he was trying to build. I started playing with this orchestra late in secondary school and into my years at The UWI, St. Augustine. But for years, I did not have formal music training. A lot of what I learned, I did through trial and error. I also spent a lot of the time learning from method books and DVDs.
The vision for how I saw myself in this field became clearer
Every July and August, I was able to receive some tutoring thanks to a collaboration between the youth orchestra and El Sistema musicians from Venezuela. When the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) was formed, I received consistent and very thorough guidance from my teacher at the Academy for Performing Arts. I was also fortunate to have played with the Aragua Youth Orchestra in Venezuela. With the tutelage, encouragement and renewed love for the study of music, I decided to pursue a Master’s Degree from Florida International University followed by a doctoral degree at the University of Miami.
During my years as a doctoral student, I received a fellowship to play with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, the resident and very progressive orchestra of the University of Miami. At that time, I was performing with the Miami Symphony Orchestra and Sunrise Pops Orchestra. I also taught young people who came from various walks of life. While I have always enjoyed learning and playing my instrument, I always felt it would be better to merge my experience as an educator and a musician to make more valuable contributions and not to limit myself to just one area.
“Being able to make a difference in the lives of young people”
After receiving my doctoral degree, I got a job with the Department of Education in the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as the University of the Virgin Islands. I continued playing, merging my love for music with my desire to impart knowledge and teach others. Most recently, I was part of a collaboration with musicians from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Being able to make a difference in the lives of young people, as well as continuing to play in various settings, have kept me on this path.
"Despite some trepidation, the support that I had, aided in my navigation of this musical arena"
As I look back on my professional and personal journey, I experienced many moments of nervousness as I was entering a field not often explored in Trinidad and Tobago. There were few classical double bass players in the Caribbean and even fewer resources. I also had little experience performing in any orchestra setting. This is why, I will never forget the many interactions that I had with various teachers and mentors along this journey. I am indebted to people like Kenneth Listhrop, Javier Viloria, Caitlyn Kamminga, Luis Gomez-Imbert and Brian Powell for the role they played. These are just a handful of the people whom I encountered and recognized my talent at various points of this journey. They did a lot to guide and nurture my skills and maximize my potential. Despite some trepidation, the support that I had, helped me to navigate this arena. My family has also been extremely supportive throughout this journey and their foresight and individual passion, helped lay the foundation for my musical performance and education career.
“The Caribbean has a lot of upstanding leaders in various arenas”
We need more role models for black men but what must also be implemented are additional initiatives to nurture and encourage those in the creative sector, especially in the orchestral world. In general, the Caribbean is filled with individuals who have proven to be upstanding leaders in various arenas, including music. These individuals, though imperfect, have done quite a lot of good. Black men especially could learn from all aspects of their experiences.
Globally, people are encouraging more black people to join musical arts. Initiatives such as the Sphinx Organization in the USA and Chineke! Orchestra in the UK have surely highlighted the need to have more people of colour in orchestras. Many universities also recognize the importance of exposing people from diverse backgrounds to orchestral music making. As a result, they have created after school programmes which give students the opportunity to learn music with which they may not be as familiar. While there is still a lot more work that needs to be done, I am hopeful that the work that has been geared specifically toward the empowerment of black men, will continue to bear positive results. The onus is on those who have done the work in earlier years, to continue to carve viable paths for the younger ones to follow. I hope that I can continue to play my part.
“Music and performing arts have evolved tremendously over the years”
Young men therefore should be encouraged to explore as many areas as possible. Young men have talents that they may not be aware of. Providing them with as many reasonable options as possible, may allow young men to consider less traditional career paths. Music and the performing arts have evolved tremendously over the years and it is much easier to find specific areas that may be of interest to men. These areas could include performance, education, research, music production, technology, and much more. Regardless of the area, the arts provide opportunities where people can communicate a wide range of ideas, technical approaches and emotional ranges. All involved, stand to greatly benefit.
In addition to his master’s and doctoral degrees in music, Harley also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literatures in English, Linguistics and Communication Studies from
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad
and an Artist Diploma in Music Performance from
UTT - The University of Trinidad and Tobago
St. George's College, Barataria, Trinidad and Tobago.
University of the Virgin Islands
Source: MENtions-Stories About Us, October 2020