Kent student and MOBO award-winner YolanDa Brown named future black leader
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by Ruth Banks
An award-winning musician from the University of Kent has been named one
of Britain's future black leaders.
Management science student YolanDa Brown has been tipped
for the top after successfully combining a PhD with an increasingly
successful career as a saxophonist.
The 27-year-old has performed alongside artists such as
Alexander O'Neal, Mica Paris, Sway and The Temptations, and has held
the MOBO award for the best jazz act for two years running.
She has even performed for Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev at
the Winter Palace in St Petersburg.
Now she has been listed as one of the country's most outstanding
black students in a publication launched by Gordon Brown.
YolanDa admitted it was both an honour and a surprise. She said:
"For me, the academia side of my life has always been very private,
so to be recognised for my achievements through study as well as
through music is wonderful. It is nice to know it is not all in
vain.
"I will not lie to you; it is very hard to juggle. But when you
have a passion for both areas as I do, you have to keep trying to
find extra hours in the day."
Despite her enormous success, YolanDa has not had a formal
saxophone lesson since her school days.
"Since then it has really been more of a companion; something
that is very therapeutic.
"I find music a way to release emotions and composing on the
saxophone has just been a natural thing. It is conversational; I
enjoy letting the saxophone by my voice."
YolanDa Brown's debut album is
due out later this year.
Tuesday, February 09 2010
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