Krista Henry, Staff Reporter 
Saxophonist Dwayne Foster at the JCDC Performing Arts National Music finals at the Little Theatre on Monday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
"SOME ARE born with greatness, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them" Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
Dwayne Foster although only 17 years old seems to have been graced with greatness through all the above means. Foster appears to have been born with a gifted musical talent that has been cared and nurtured by persons around him.
Presently a sixth former at Charlemont High School, Foster is a talented saxophonist, keyboard player and singer. Having impressed the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) in their 2006 music festival, he has earned himself a
coveted one year scholarship to the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
Although Foster managed to captivate his audience through his manipulation of his instrument, he was not always such an apt musician. He says, "My teacher Nigel Powell, he saw me in eigth or ninth grade playing the recorder one day. He saw that I had an interest and he took me into the band and trained me. He was
looking for a saxophonist, the recorder is similar in terms of notes, so I applied the information."
SINCE DAY ONE
From the first note that wailed from the saxophone, Foster was caught. He states, "When I first heard the saxophone it was quite fascinating. It was such a respected instrument. It's hard to learn, but for me it wasn't that difficult, because I was disciplined and I practised."
Dwayne's determination is evident through the extensive practising that he has done. He says "currently I practice at home in the nights, three times per week. While at school I used to practice at lunch hour and we had band rehearsal once a week." He however found his true determination through his religion. He elaborates "I became a Christian which led me into this whole music thing. I was recently baptised and it gave me the strength to know that anything I wanted to do, I could."
The church has expanded his horizons musically in many ways. "I also play the keyboard for church, you have to have an ear for music. It helped me reach a certain depth in my saxophone playing. The keyboard enhances my finger speed. I've learnt a lot, I've been around a lot of musicians," he said. He continues "I do singing as well, in a church group called Motize. Motize is the reason I'm still going to church and still doing saxophone. My friends at church they really give me the inspiration I need. I really enjoy doing that, anything with music builds you up. You might not believe me, but being a Christian as helped me a lot."
His love for his religion also expands to his everyday life. His preference in music is also of the Christian persuasion. He says "I love Christian music, the other music I like is souls. Kenny G is a big inspiration, I have a lot of his CDs. It speaks to soul, I like jazz, some ska beats. Modern music like hip hop doesn't fascinate me. The message doesn't coincide with my Christian beliefs."
His family has also assisted in nurturing his musical skills. He says "my father bought me a keyboard recently and its really expensive. I'm the only boy with a saxophone of his own in the whole school. It's not that we're rich, its because he sees the interest and is proud of me. My mother also helps, she cuts down on my house chores when she sees that I'm practising. My brother as well pushes me a lot."
LESSONS LEARNT
Playing the saxophone has expanded beyond the music room into his life, teaching him a variety of lessons. He states "I really enjoy playing the saxophone, its like going to another world. Playing the saxophone taught me discipline, you have to always be practising. Just like how I practice my playing, I take that discipline and apply it to my life. If you don't study your books or do your chores then they will pile up."
On stage Foster has a natural confidence, dancing and performing for his audience. However he has not always been that comfortable in front of a crowd. He says "at first it was difficult standing in front of a crowd. I had to close my eyes and lock out the world. But after having a bit more experience, I've been to places where I watch people and how they play. Now I can dance and entertain. It feels great to play and to know people are enjoying it."
This young dynamo has been showing off his skill at JCDC's music festival for three years running. He states "the first year I went to festival was about two years ago, I won a gold medal for my saxophone piece. The second year I went I got two gold medals and a silver. I stopped playing for a year in fifth form cause I was falling off of my school work. So I took the year off and focused on my exams. So I've been to festival three years now."
Foster speaks in a very humble manner, expressing, "I'm an average student, I do my thing, whatever happens I just try to study." This musician though taking his listeners to other heights has his head firmly grounded. School is one of his focuses, taking him unto to future paths. He says "my first choice was Edna Manley. Personally I don't see the talent in me that everyone sees and pushes, but I will do it. I wanted to do business but I also want music, see what I can do. Maybe not as a full time thing, cause I want something to do otherwise. I see a career in music though, I just don't want to rush into it."
He is an obviously talented musician who definitely sees himself following his musical path. The JCDC has been instrumental to that, as he claims it has exposed him to a wide dissection of persons in music. He enthusiastically waits for his first year at Edna Manley.
