‘My voice was made for opera'

However, Natalia Dopwell hardly fits into that stereotype and the celebrated TT opera singer, is quick to point out that it is only locally that people are still very prejudiced toward the classical art form.

Dopwell said there is a lack of understanding of opera and that is why the music is not appreciated by many. She added, however, that though this country is not exposed to opera, there is a market for it.

“If a foreigner is confronted by our type of music, they won’t understand what’s happening. It’s the same thing in this country when it comes to opera,” she said

Known as Trinidad’s “Nightingale”, Dopwell gained recognition after her memorable first solo concert in 2004 with “Je Veux Vivre” at the Queen’s Hall. The following year, she wanted to create something different and entertaining, so Dopwell invited British violinist, Oliver Lewis, to join with her in a concert. This is when the popular “Strings with Song” (SWS) was born. The event, dubbed “a magnificent marriage” of voice and violin, was a tremendous success.

There was a repeat of SWS in 2006, which included as accompanist, Dr Jeffrey Middleton, a concert pianist and vocal coach whom Dopwell had been introduced to at the Harlem School of the Arts. However, organisers saw a need to broaden the repertoire of musicality of SWS. Always seeking to expand and create, 2007 saw the inclusion of Trinidadian pan virtuoso, Liam Teague, in the cast of SWS. The concert is now known as the popular Strings, Song and Steel.

“What grew out of concerts at Queen’s Hall in 2005, when Oliver Lewis came as a guest, expanded beyond our imaginations.

“We wanted to broaden the show by inviting a steel pan orchestra but none of them were able to learn the classical pieces; they were just not quite literate in that aspect, so we eventually invited Liam Teague,” Dopwell explained.

The concert, Strings, Song and Steel is the climax of the classical music season of the Classical Music Development Foundation at the Queen’s Hall. It takes place from June 13-15 at Queen’s Hall.

Of all the soprano’s accomplishments, what stands out the most about Dopwell is her discipline and determination to progress and excel in a genre that is not celebrated in her homeland. She developed a natural aptitude for the classical artform though she was never exposed to it.

“I very early realised that my voice was not for normal singing. I knew that my voice was different at an early age. When I sang normal songs such as calypso, folk or other genres, my voice would hurt, so I knew that it was not for that type of singing.

“I realised that when I sang high ranges it would be better for my voice. Even though I didn’t see much of opera around me, my voice would automatically lean toward it. I developed a love for it and it became natural for me; I believe it is what I was called to do,” Dopwell explained.

A student at the Manahattan School of Music working on a scholarship from the Prime Minister’s Sports and Culture Fund, Dopwell said her successes did not come without great tribulations.

However, through all the challenges, there was one person that believed in her – her mother.

“Honestly I never really thought I would reach this far. Music is an expensive artform to pursue.

“I would be working for $1500 a month and spend $500 on music lessons because it was priority for me.

“My mother supported me and raised funds for me to go to France, and I was able to sit in on a master class. I never envisioned that I would be doing this. What I couldn’t envision for myself, my mother envisioned for me and I have never regretted it.

“I was encouraged to pursue a college education and my mom pushed me to apply to colleges though I didn’t know how I was going to fund it.”

The singer said when you are content to stick where you are you don’t get to explore where you really want to be.

“ I found so much joy in pursuing my dreams. My experience abroad is really eye opening. I didn’t narrow my field of vision just because what was immediately in front of me was accessible. I was willing to set my sight farther. I never took the easy way out.”

Dopwell’s mother, Annette, is director of the Classical Music Development Foundation, an organisation geared toward children who want to express themselves through music.

The Foundation’s aim is twofold – to expose children to a high standard of classical music and help skilled musicians become more advanced through master classes with visiting professional musicians and artistes.

Dopwell said people refuse to allow their children to attend the free classical classes because they don’t think their children could appreciate the genre. Her aim is to experience a career abroad and eventually come back to TT and teach all that she’s learnt.

“I don’t think I am going to come back immediately after school because I would have only learnt the tip of the iceberg and would really like to learn as much as there is to learn.”