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for bioProfessional Summary:
Award-winning steelpan virtuoso, musical creator, orchestrator, and
teacher bringing twenty-plus years of expertise performing, writing,
and orchestrating for steelbands throughout the Caribbean region, United
States, and United Kingdom. A trailblazer in steelpan instruction and
artistry, known for breakthrough achievements in the pan community,
and distinguished for creative innovations in Panorama and Music Festival
events.
Career Highlights:
- 1st student of Golden Hands Steel Orchestra | 1993–present
- Led the band to multiple national wins in Trinidad & Tobago Music Festivals and National Panorama as Musical Director | 2007-present
- President & Artistic Director – Golden Hands Steelpan Conservatory | 2024-present
- Arranged and conducted pieces resulting in 15+ championship titles across various competitions
- Hostess of Steelpan City with Vanessa | WACK 90.1 FM
- Freelance Music Analyst for various media houses
Firsts in Steelpan World:
- First female to arrange Panorama music for a steelband in Tobago | 2023 – Steel Xplosion
- First steelpan composer to compose, arrange, sing, and perform original music for Panorama
- First panist to receive a Berklee College of Music scholarship for undergraduate study
- First woman to arrange in all three Panorama categories (Small, Medium, Large) in one season
- First woman to win Panorama twice: 2018 and 2025.
Bands Worked With (Outside of Golden Hands):
- NGC Steel Xplosion (Panorama Arranger)
- Penal Valley Harps (Panorama Arranger)
- NGC La Brea Nightingales (Panorama Arranger)
- Phase II Pan Groove (Stage-Side Arranger & Drillmaster)
- Antigua Gemonites (Stage-Side Arranger)
- Delaware School of the Arts (Arranger)
- MASS Band USA Steelbands Combined Ensemble (Facilitator and Arranger)
- NSSO [National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago] (Arranger & Featured Guest Performer)
Steelpan Icons collaborated with:
- Dr. Len “Boogsie” Sharpe – Transcriber for publication projects
- Ken “Professor” Philmore – Performed alongside as the first female soloist at “Moods of Pan” (Antigua)
- Dr. Jeannine Remy – Contributor to The Rainmakers’ original steelpan musical performed at PASIC, Austin, Texas
- Rafael “Raf” Robertson – Collaborator and producer on original tracks
- Leon “Smooth” Edwards, Dr. Ray Holman, Michelle Huggins-Watts – workshop & education collaborations
Major Wins & Competitions:
- Trinidad & Tobago Music Festival – Multiple 1st place solo and ensemble titles (2006–2024)
- Panorama (Small Band) – Multiple Top 3 placements with Golden Hands (2010–2020)
- Panorama Championships with Golden Hands (2018 & 2025)
- Moods of Pan, Antigua – First non-Antiguan ensemble to win; performed as featured soloist (2007)
- World Steelband Festival & Pan Is Beautiful – Champion soloist and ensemble arranger numerous times
- Championship title - National Steelband Music Festival (Ensemble) (2024)
- National Junior Steelband Festival – 1st Place Solo, Duet, Quartet (2005)
Original Works & Contributions:
- Composer of original Panorama pieces: “High (on d’ Music)”, “Trouble” (1st Place), “Pan In D Galaxy”, “Young & Free”
- Composer of “Music Matters” for Caribbean Youth Orchestra at Carifesta XIV
- Creator of Golden Hands Steelpan Icons Calendar
- Host & Producer – Steel Love Virtual Pan Show (2020)
- Winner of the 2012 Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival Chamber Ensemble with original piece “Dream In Colour”
- Commissioned to write original works for the T&T Music Festival and other entities
- Editor of The UWI Graded Steelpan Examinations Books
Recent Engagements (2024-2025):
- Host of Mark Loquan’s “A Better Tomorrow” film: “Panyard Universe”
- Presenter for International Women’s Day Conference (Central Finance Facility & TTARP)
- Chairman for “Steelband as Education” event hosted by The Lloyd Best Institute of the Caribbean
- Panelist for UTT [The University of Trinidad and Tobago] Roundtable on Panorama Adjudication
Education:
- Master of Music Psychology – University of Sheffield (2018)
- Certificate in Music Performance – Berklee College of Music - First panist selected for All-Star Funk Fusion Band (2011)
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) – The University of the West Indies (2010)
- High School Diploma – St. Joseph’s Convent (2005)
Source: Vanessa Headley-Brewster
