Never a 'diva daughter'... but a singing star

Heartbroken and “all cried out” was Ren?e Solomon when she missed her very first shot at “stardom.” She was four years old at the time and a member of the Bishop Anstey Junior Choir with the ability to carry a note merely beyond a horn’s toot. Just moments before the choir was called on to perform at the school’s annual Christmas dinner, Ren?e was kindly asked to ‘sit this one out.’ She had a sinus problem which became provoked just when it shouldn’t. Her mother and once Music Festival soloist, Beverly Kitson-Solomon sat in the audience quite expectantly, and as she combed through the rows of singers on stage, she realised Ren?e was missing. When found, she was sitting all alone, “locked in a room” and sobbing.

But her chance to sing on stage, among her peers and for her mummy did eventually come. And now, 16 years later, an adamant Ren?e will sing and star in her own show Dreams Come True — Wheels of a Dream Pt II. Surely, no one can ask her to sit that one out! In a final performance before she leaves for college in September, Ren?e will share the stage with fellow sopranos Vanessa Bushe and Jacqueline Smith, contralto Jacqueline Johnson and violinist Andre Donawa on June 12 and 13 at the Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s. Also performing is the Marionettes Chorale under the direction of Greta Taylor and accompanied by Jerome Dinchong.

Her excitement over the show, however, has been overtaken by her excitement on learning of her success in gaining acceptance to seven of nine universities she auditioned at. She was a finalist at eight schools and was awarded scholarships to Mannes College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, John Hopkins — Peabody Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music and Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She chose the last to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in performance — instrument: classical voice. “I feel blessed, blessed, blessed. I feel that God has his hand in my life. His will is my way. You know what I mean? He’s showing me this is exactly what I want you to do. He’s putting everything in place for me and it is being fulfilled.” In January, the Solomons journeyed to the US completing their circuit of music schools in four states. It was not an easy task of singing soprano, a full slate of four classical pieces, before panels of selectors comprising seasoned singers and senior members of faculties of various universities.

“They were amazed, rather, that we had left a Caribbean country to come in the cold weather. In one school they asked why we didn’t bring up the sun for them saying they would’ve paid us for it,” Ren?e laughed. Each panel had great things to say of the 20-year-old singer. “They were quite warm and complimenting.” She was also told that sopranos at US music schools come ‘a dime a dozen,’ and she expressed her gratitude on being accepted by them. Add to that, the yearly tuition at the colleges average US$38,000-$46,000. As a Christian, Ren?e is sure that her life path was chosen since she is always led right back to music whenever she wants to deviate. “I try to make my own plans, but God knows what he’s doing. I know wherever he takes me, I know I have some purpose.”

After a troubling start at Bishop Anstey High School, Ren?e was transferred to St Joseph Convent, Port-of-Spain, where she blossomed under the guidance of her teachers including school principal Elizabeth Crouch. Under the tutorship of Michelle Varley/St Joseph Convent and June Nathaniel/director of the Key Academy of Music, Ren?e developed her skill. Lead director of the Marionettes Chorale, Greta Taylor added the finishing touches as she prepares for phase two at Oberlin. With a detailed course outline of the school’s requirements Ren?e answered a quick “yeah man!” when asked if she was up for the task.

She isn’t sure how she would handle being miles away from her mother, her refuge in times of trouble, (particularly from her mom’s bed — a haven when hers is crowded). But, she will be a lot closer to and perhaps under watchful eyes of her older brothers, Wesley and Ryan. She will also miss her dear grandmother Ira Kitson, whom she described as one “who can pretend the meanest opera voice I have ever heard.” Beverly, who dug into her archives as she recalled her “hey days” of singing, was happy for Ren?e whom she said has always maintained her humility in the face of her accomplishments. “She has never been a diva daughter...but I am truly happy for Ren?e, and at the same time I accept humbly that I was never quite blessed with the talent that she has... I think she is equipped to go.”