CubaPLUS Magazine

For Cassie Adams, a young singer who started out young watching the band Live Wire, made up of her father and his brothers, music was always close to her. "Music called my name early on and I wanted to be a part of that family legacy. The first instrument I played was the steelpan in school at age 13. This was a peculiar instrument compared to the rhythm guitar and bass guitar played by my father.” He had reservations about Adams taking up music, but in this case it was part of the school curriculum, she recounted in an interview with this magazine.
 
Because of her father’s opposition, the young woman focused her interest on studying at The Bishops’ High School, which had one of the best art programs in the region.
 
Her perseverance enabled her to play steelpan for 10 years with The Bishops' High School Steel Orchestra and, eventually, with the Parkside Steel Orchestra, and she said, "Those are years I will always treasure.”
However, singing was what she loved and still loves most and it wasn't until the age of 17 that she managed to get on stage to sing in a school concert.
"I was always a shy girl," she confessed, "I still am. Singing had to grow on me, in contrast to the steelpan. Singing requires you to reach deep into your soul and express yourself in ways unknown to your everyday personality."
 
"My life changed when my friend Kellisha Edwards entered me in the Guyana Talent Search 2021, an initiative funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, as I not only won the competition, but was catapulted into the Guyana music industry in full swing. It was overwhelming and intimidating to work alongside some of the best musicians and artists in the country, such as Sean Bhola, Calvin Burnett, Samuel Medas, Nekeita and Diana Chapman, who inspired me as a child," she said.
 
As for her preferences within her profession, she said she loves working with the team behind the scenes, professionals who often go unnoticed, but are essential to ensure a show’s success. She also described The Black Magenta on Camp Street as a safe space to perform, whose owners, Mr. and Mrs. Rahaman, are some of the "most encouraging people I have ever met and do everything possible to create spaces for Guyanese artists to share their talent.”
 
Cultivating an R&B and soul style, this young performer, selected for a scholarship by UNESCO, is immersed in her professional development, and takes part in courses aimed at helping musicians develop their approach to independent projects within the Caribbean and Latin community. "I am tremendously excited about this and how UNESCO is actively researching ways to integrate culture, finance and music for Caribbean artists," she said.
"I intend to share this knowledge with my peers and the ministry so that others can benefit from this information. My journey in this field continues as I still have much to learn and I welcome any challenge that comes my way because with every trial I am growing to become the best version of myself," she concluded.
 
Facebook: Cassie Adams
Phone +592 642 7593