Talented student needs help

Barbadians are being urged to support 21-year old Katani Lewis in making his dream of pursuing studies at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) come true.

The call is coming from Janelle Headley, Director and Founder of Operation Triple Threat (OTT), a local performing arts programme, which two years ago was instrumental in taking Lewis to New York to audition for AMDA.

Speaking at a recent press conference, Headley noted that while the talented singer, actor and dancer had a successful audition and secured a space at the prestigious school to pursue an Associate Degree, he has been unable to secure all the funds necessary to get his studies started. She is therefore making an appeal to the public and corporate Barbados to assist Lewis in starting his studies come October 16, 2017 when the new school year starts at AMDA.

“That’s why we are having this press conference… hopefully somebody will hear his story and partner with him to make his dreams come true,” she said.

Her comments came as she explained that through OTT’s Bridge Award Programme, they were able to secure funding for two other students to start their studies, but did not have the finances to fund all five students who auditioned in 2015. She made the point as she noted that Lewis has also tried to secure funding on his own through the Student Revolving Loan Fund, but was unsuccessful.

“He and his family looked into remortgaging, to get a loan through a commercial bank, but that also was not feasible for him to pursue. There have been many avenues we have been looking at through OTT and also Katani as an individual. He also took on a job to raise funds, but with living expenses and so on, he was not able to raise as much as he would like to cover the cost,” Headley stated.

According to the OTT head, Lewis was offered a US $14,000 scholarship from AMDA, but with the cost of the studies at around US $54,000 a year, he needs still needs an additional US $40,000 which includes tuition, books as well as room and board.

“He has to at least show that he has funds in hand for this year and then that there is a commitment to cover the funds for the second year in order to get his visa and so on,” she added.

Speaking on his own behalf, Lewis said is hoping to start his studies soon and upon completion, return to Barbados and impart the knowledge he has learnt to new members of OTT, his community group, the Haynesville Youth Group and any other interested persons. Those efforts, he said, will be aimed at helping to raise the profile of performing arts locally.

“We do know that we see the doctor, the lawyer, the teacher, those professions are the ones that are seen as the money making professions, and to be honest there are people all around the world who really benefit from performing arts, and make a very good living from performing arts… We really need to look and see this is a profession, this is a dream that people grow up having,” he said.

His comments came as he disclosed that he is considering putting on a show late September, to allow those who contribute and may be desirous of making a contribution to his studies, see what they are investing in.

“Hopefully it’s a show where you can see my full scales in music, in dancing, in acting, in performing on the whole, and I am also looking at bringing in different groups, different performers, within the theatre arts and performing realm, who have a passion for what I do as well,” he said.

Lewis added that he remains hopeful that someone will come to his aid. Anyone interested in making this talented young man’s dream a reality is asked make their donation through OTT, which is a registered charity. (JRT)