Augustus “Gusy” Peters - Steelpan Tuner & Pan Maker

Augustus Peters was born on August 17^th 1986 and he grew up in the village of La Canoa, Lower Santa Cruz, Trinidad. He first became involved with the steelpan in 2002 when he started playing at his church in La Canoa, and at the San Juan North Secondary High School, where he served as band captain. In 2004, he began a steelpan construction and tuning course, which was facilitated by the Pan in Schools Coordinating Council and supervised by veteran tuner, Jimi Phillip. In 2005, Augustus was enrolled in another steelpan construction and tuning course at Trinidad and Tobago Instruments Limited (now Panland) where he was trained by the staff there, as well as head tuner, Mario Joseph.

After participating in this Steelpan Tuning/Construction course for a year and a half at Panland, Augustus was offered a job as a tuner and worked there until 2008. Augustus resigned from his job at Panland in order to fulfil his dream of starting his own business. While beginning to branch out on his own, he tuned pans for Simon’s Musical Supplies, Gill’s Pan Shop and various other tuners and businesses in Trinidad and Tobago.

In July 2010, Augustus graduated at the top of his class from the Advanced Steelpan Tuning course offered by the University of Trinidad and Tobago with an A+. In this course, he had the privilege of being supervised and taught by Clifford ‘Rope’ Alfred, Lenard ‘Lenny’ Leera, Reynold ‘Tony Slater’ Gilles, Bertie Marshall and Bertram ‘Birch’ Kelman.

Augustus has tuned for and continues to work with several steelbands including Trinidad All Stars; Silver Stars; Harvard Harps; Hatters Steelband and Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra out of Tobago. He has also worked professionally with renowned tuners Reynold ‘Tony Slater’ Gilles, and Bertram Kelman.

In 2011, on the occasion of the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago offered the royal couple a gift of a tenor pan which was tuned and inspected by Augustus Peters. This pan was made by his good friend and fellow graduate from the advanced steelpan course, Sheldon Bess.

Augustus has also been an active member of the band, Sadiki Stiks on Steel since the year 2006. He has made three trips to the U.S. with this band to participate in the Festival of Nations held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Silver Dollar City’s World Fest in Branson, Missouri.

Augustus currently owns and operates his own business, Augustus Peters Steelpans, where he produces instruments of great quality for musicians and bands, locally and overseas.