Twenty-one years ago, a young Vincentian-Canadian violinist took the stage alongside Vincentian pianist Sean Sutherland at Government House before the then-governor general, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, and captivated all who were fortunate enough to hear her.
Now, that same musician, the internationally acclaimed Tanya Charles, is coming home.
On Tuesday, she reunites with Sutherland for a recital at 7 p.m. at the Kingstown Methodist Church.
Held under the distinguished patronage of the Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sir Stanley K. John, and sponsored by District Stairs St. Vincent and the Grenadines, this recital promises to be a truly memorable evening.
The programme celebrates Black and Caribbean musical traditions through works by composers ranging from the late 1700s to living artists today, featuring Charles and Sutherland both individually and together.
“This is a concert you will not want to miss,” a press release said.
Charles, born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to Vincentian parents, Gloria Charles (née Glasgow) and Godwin Charles of Mesopotamia and Evesham, respectively, has captivated audiences across North America, South America, and the Caribbean since the earliest days of her career.
Her extraordinary artistry has earned her some of Canada’s most prestigious musical honours, including the Women’s Art Association of Canada Luella McCleary Award, the Gabriella Dory Prize in Music, and the John C. Holland Award from the Hamilton Black History Association.
She holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from the University of Toronto and an Artist Diploma in orchestral performance from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music, one of the world’s foremost centres of musical excellence.
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines can be immensely proud to call her one of our own,” the release said.
Charles serves as Concertmaster of Ensemble Obiora, a celebrated Montreal-based ensemble and Canada’s first ensemble of predominantly people of colour, which she has led since its founding in 2021.
Among her recent highlights was performing as a soloist in the Canadian premiere of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in October 2023, a landmark moment in the recognition of Black composers on the world stage.
She is also a violinist and outreach coordinator for the Odin Quartet. Her career spans collaborations with the Colour of Music Festival Orchestra and the COMF Virtuosi in South Carolina, the Gateways Festival Orchestra in New York, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, and the National Ballet Orchestra of Canada.
A truly versatile musician, Charles performs on violin, viola, and mandolin with Mirvish Productions, lending her extraordinary talent to major theatre productions, including Disney’s acclaimed, long-running 2024-2025 production of The Lion King in Toronto.
The excitement does not stop at the recital.
Charles has partnered with the White Chapel Studio to offer two masterclasses in violin and viola, a rare and truly remarkable opportunity for our musical community.
Classes take place on Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Kingstown Public Library and all ages and all ability levels are welcome.
As a faculty member at both the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music and the Oscar Peterson Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Charles brings world-class teaching expertise directly to SVG.
Each day is structured into two sessions: a focused workshop followed by participant performances and public lessons.
Monday’s session will address posture and left-hand technique, while Wednesday’s will cover bow technique and sound production.
These sessions are open to the public, including students, parents, and music lovers who are interested in witnessing excellence in music education firsthand.
Participants are encouraged to register at this website.
“Do not miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to learn from one of Canada’s finest violinists right here, at home, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Come out, bring the family, and let us celebrate the extraordinary talent that our island has given to the world,” the press release said.