Trini teen wins big in Hollywood

The 18-year-old was one of 5,000 competitors from 40 countries competing in all forms of performing arts, such as, acting, vocals, instrumentals, modelling, variety acts and dancing at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

Darnell-Brandon, as he is known on stage, placed first in the vocals with self-accompaniment category, singing John Legend’s “Ordinary People” and accompanying himself on the piano. He also won the instrumental category playing his own arrangement of Lord Kitchener’s “Pan In A Minor” on the steelpan, as well as the Industry Award for most entertaining and talented performer and the Championship medal as the Grand Champion of the World 2008 in the instrumental category.

Prior to leaving for Hollywood, on July 18, he completed the postponed CAPE examinations at St Mary’s College on July 15.

“This nearly cost me the WCOPA appearance. However, I had been practising and getting a portfolio together for Hollywood.”

Darnell-Brandon, who returned to Trinidad on July 28 from five intense performances in Hollywood, is the only child of Peter and Elizabeth Thomas of Trincity. He jumped straight into rehearsals for his production of “Rhapsody Concert: Parte Deux,” which takes place this comingweekend at the St Mary’s College Centenary Hall.

Meanwhile, Darnell-Brandon is preparing to enter York University where he has been accepted into the Honours Programme to study for a Degree in Music, starting September.

How does this 18 year old manage it all?

“You make your choices and find the time to get the things that you love done,” he explained.

“The benefit Rhapsody Concert on Saturday at 8 pm and the 6 pm matinee on Sunday, are in aid of the UNESCO Fund. I love charity, that’s my thing. You have to give back.”

Tickets for “Parte Deux,” which cost $100 are available at St Mary’s College, Adams Bagels, and Peter Elias Stores or through calling 477-3886 and 688-4586.

Darnell-Brandon, who has been involved in music since age four, began his quest for WCOPA glory in 2005 when he placed third in the Scholarship Competition of Talented Teenagers at the University of the West Indies Learning Resource Centre, playing the steelpan.

Two years later, in December 2007, he was contacted by a WCOPA Scout who had seen footage of the local competition and asked if Darnell-Brandon would be interested in taking part in the 2008 competition.

“I was now studying very hard for the 2008 CAPE, had never heard of the competition and was very proud to know that I was chosen for such a prestigious competition and as well to represent the country,” he said.

With help from corporate sponsors he was soon on his way to Hollywood accompanied by his father.

Darnell-Brandon returned to Trinidad with offers of voice recordings for an album in Hollywood.

He told Newsday: “We are looking into it and I will try to go back because it would have to be balanced with York University.”

However, all of that is now on the back-burner as Darnell-Brandon goes into the home stretch with daily rehearsals as organizer/director/producer of this weekend’s two-hour long benefit concert of dance, song, and instrumental performances.

He described the event as “a mosaic of musical genres, such as, Broadway, classical and contemporary by a mixed group of young, talented people from different backgrounds and schools”.