‘This Little Rose’ part of Trinity College London Exam Syllabus

I'm so proud to announce that my song, 'This Little Rose', is now part of the Trinity College London Grade 8 Singing syllabus!

And as my friend and I cried happy tears down the phone to each other, she repeated my own words to me.

"For this is life, this is joy, and despite it all, this is what we live for." (from ‘Insert Expletive Here’, for Two Narrators and Large Ensemble)

Both Black musicians, we grew up not finding classical composers or performers who looked like us.

I used to roam my university library as recently as 10 years ago, desperately searching for women composers.

Black and Brown composers weren't even on my radar.

I fell into a depression in 3rd year because I felt I wasn't the right type of person to be a successful composer.

All throughout my career, I've experienced sexism and racism.

Tokenism, though I am determined to use it to kick the door down, is a tad soul destroying.

Despite all that, I have experienced EXTRAORDINARY collaborations and partnerships.

I have written songs that have helped me through grief and touched others' emotions in deep and powerful ways.

I have rocked with sobs after premieres that only happened because both the commissioners and myself were BRAVE enough to question the status quo and be true to ourselves.

This is why I keep going when it all feels too much, so much of the time.

And now, young Black and Brown people like me can see themselves represented in the music they're learning.

Not just by me, but by other incredible composers who rightly deserve their place in the canon.

Never, ever underestimate the power of representation.

Write Us Into F*cking History.

#writeusintohistory