Williams

It's not surprising that one of Jhana Williams' favourite quotes is: "Music is what feelings sound like." After all, music is her passion.

Her ambition, the contralto singer told The Sunday Gleaner, is to become a successful Jamaican and Caribbean soloist - within five years. She added, however: "I would also like to perform in The Lion King in London, if even for one season."

Judging by her musical travels so far, Williams is well on her way to fulfilling her goal. She has already achieved considerable success as a singer in Jamaica, having been a member of three important singing ensembles, the Glenmuir High School (GHS) concert choir, the University Singers and the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) Singers.

Actually, as a member of those choirs, she has contributed to the international acclaim they all have received from their performances in several countries.

Music festival

With the GHS choir, she performed in Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom. Naming the highlights of those trips, she said, "In 1998, the GHS concert choir participated in an international music festival in Germany and won two trophies and cash awards for placing second in one category. In July 2000, we participated in the first ever Choir Olympics in Linz, Austria, where over 300 choirs competed. We won one silver and two bronze medals.

"And in July 2002, the choir represented the Caribbean region at the Shrewsbury International Music Festival in England, where we were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Mayor of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, Councillor Lt Colonel George Richey."

After high school, her performances abroad continued with the University Singers and the NDTC Singers, and she got to sing in the wider Caribbean, North and South America, and Canada.

"I have been singing all my life," Williams said. "My late mother sang very well, so I consider singing to be an innate gift."

But when she joined the GHS concert choir, her singing went to a higher level. Training and performing with what Williams proudly terms "the premier high-school choir in the island" gave her "vocal techniques, discipline, exposure and life lessons" that she has found "invaluable".

Vocal and breathing skills

The training certainly helped her to get into the ranks of the University Singers when she enrolled at the University of the West Indies, Mona. There, she continued to learn.

"Mr Noel Dexter (the conductor and voice coach) helped me to develop and nurture my vocal and breathing skills. He supports my vision of becoming a renowned soloist in the country and the region," Williams stated.

Though she sings many types of music, and enjoys even more, her favourite is the (Negro) spiritual. She brings an extra dimension to this genre, as evidenced by her solo performance of His Name's So Sweet, at the University Singers' Easter concert at Mona.

As Williams sang, clapped, groaned, bobbed, swayed and grimaced as if in the spirit, her enthusiasm infected the audience and they started dancing in their seats. All applauded, many cheered and some even gave her a standing ovation.

Earlier in the day, she had sung with the NDTC Singers at the NDTC's Easter Morning of Movement and Music.

If the spiritual is her first love, she calls classical music "another breath". She added: "I believe that every person should have the opportunity to learn, listen to, or perform this type of music. It can positively influence how we function in teams, even how we reason. Both classical and reggae/dancehall music play very important roles in allowing composers and listeners to express themselves."

More than just perform

She wants to do more than just perform classical music. "I want to help young singers to develop, and play a very influential role in the preservation of classical music in Jamaica," she said.

Asked to compare the three choirs she has sung with, Williams said, "To a great extent, the three groups encourage different placements. The GHS choir demanded a sound which is similar to that which is produced by a European boy's choir. The UWI Singers explores music forms ranging from classical to pop. However, in most cases, we utilise vibrato singing techniques, while the NDTC Singers predominantly focus on authentic Jamaican and African music forms."

She added: "This diversity allows me to consider myself a well-rounded singer."

Williams has little free time. When she is not working as a junior telecommunications manager, she is busy "preparing a repertoire for formal and business functions, funerals and weddings."

In addition, she is making plans to stage a recital in Jamaica next year and, farther down her musical road, in the wider region.