Nassau, The Bahamas, May 20, 2023 – Can we get a drum roll please! Colina Insurance Limited’s (Colina’s) legacy partnership with the Nassau Music Society (NMS) continues. The NMS recently awarded the winners of its High School Drum Off competition.

“Colina is commitment to the education and development of young people in The Bahamas,” said Maxine V. Seymour, Director, Corporate Communications, Colina. “We have an enduring partnership with the Nassau Music Society and value their indelible impact on student musicians.”

The Nassau Music Society provides music education programs for young people and supports local musicians in their career development.

“We are grateful for Colina’s support once again this season,” said Cynthia Van Wynen, President and Executive Director, Nassau Music Society. “Your committed and generous support allows us to continue the presentation of world-class music events as well as many of our education and outreach initiatives in the community.”

“We could not do what we do without Colina,” noted Wynen.

The competition attracted many young musicians from different schools in the country. Winners of the competition included With-Mael Alcide (Overall winner – Judges’ Choice) and Branden Campbell (Winner of the Audience Choice Award).

With-Mael Alcide, a Grade eight student at T.A. Thompson Junior High School is only 13 years old. He started playing instruments at the tender age of two years old. He currently plays the drums, piano, and bass guitar and hopes to travel and play drums in concerts and churches around the world.

Branden Campbell is a 15-year-old ninth grader at Noble Preparatory Academy. He comes from a musically gifted family and hopes to get a music scholarship to further his education. He enjoys playing multiple variations of drums and the piano, mainly at church. He is a natural and learns instruments quickly. Campbell hopes to travel the globe, playing at events and venues in the future.

“These young musicians have bright futures ahead,” said Seymour. “Their gifts will make room for them and their drums will open doors that lead to spaces they would otherwise not have access to.”

“I am excited to see what tomorrow holds for them,” said Seymour.

The awards were held on Saturday May 20, 2023, at the ECCHO museum at the Current: Baha Mar Gallery and Art Center.

First prize competition winner received a Ludwig Five-Piece Drum Set, while the audience choice award prize winner received a Cajon Box Drum. The esteemed panel of judges included Neil Symonette, Doug Walter and Frederick “Freddie Got Stykz” Seymour.

About the Nassau Music Society

The Nassau Music Society is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1968 by the late Clement E. Bethel – a champion of the arts and an icon of Bahamian culture. The Nassau Music Society promotes and encourages the art of music by organizing concerts and by sponsoring scholarships for students of music.