Gabriella is not your typical 12 year old. While most kids her age are busy with video games and social media Gabriella is immersed in the world of music, namely creating exquisite music on her flute. In fact her advice for young people “social media is detrimental to your mental health – find something productive to do with your free time and do something physical.”
This young lady is in the seventh grade at South Haven Christian Academy, a small Christian school nestled on the grounds of The Bahamas Youth Camp on Gladstone Road. Gabriella has been at South Haven since K3. The school has a strong music program and students are required to play a woodwind instrument from grade 3.
Gabriella took part for the first time in the National Arts Festival last year while she was in grade 6. She competed in the Primary woodwind section and beat out her competitors in Nassau and the family islands to become the National Winner. She played Canon in D and Holiday. Her fingers flew over the keys rapidly and with precision, the trills flowing smoothly in the mature compositions. Her Invigilator seemed impressed with the youngster scoring her with a 92 to beat out competitors throughout the country.
Of her experience in the festival Gabrielle said “I liked the competition and everything though it was very long at the church. She added “I feel like it was very easy.”
The ease and maturity in her playing comes from years of practice and discipline. She took the Associated Board Royal School of Music (ABRSM) grade 3 examination exams in grade 5 and received a distinction and is presently preparing for her grade 5 examinations.
She loves to play a variety of music genres from classical to gospel and delights audiences with her performances. She plays in her school’s Eagle Ray concert band and the Golden Gates Youth band. She has been playing the flute since grade 2.
This special 12 year old’s interest does not stop at music. She is a disciplined student and has maintained a 4.0 average throughout her years at South Haven and now that she is in the school’s challenging high school College Prep program she continues to maintain her 4.0 grades.
This active pre-teen also loves to dance as well and is in her church’s liturgical gospel dance troupe. And in her spare time she practices crocheting and loves making paper stars. Her favorite color is lavender and it is reflected in bags and book cases, clothing, wherever she can enjoy it.
When asked about her plans for her future she was very definite. She plans to be a real estate agent. Why? “I think they make a lot of money. And I like how they sell houses”
‘Gabby’ as she is affectionately called is the daughter of Arthur and Glasmine Humes.
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