Elijah Stevens is a 22-year-old Bahamian musician who has beaten all odds to chase after his dream to be a classical pianist. He left his home country to study in the United States as the age of 17-year-old in 2013 with just $100. He had applied for six scholarships in the Bahamas and was denied each one yet he kept his resolve to pursue his dream.
He developed a passion for music in the seventh grade when he started taking music lessons at his school, Woods Music Academy. In just a year of taking lessons, he became the student of the year, surpassing 31 other students and getting him a scholarship. He transferred to the Orchestral School of Music to study under Maestro Reynold Robinson who is renowned for his remarkable work with students.
Stevens began nursing a desire to leave the Bahamas encouraged by Reynolds, his only challenge was funding, but he was determined to follow after his dream. His parents had told to stay home and work for a year but he decided it was more profitable to chase after his dream and so he did.
His resolve paid off as one of the schools he applied to offered him admission with a scholarship to cover his tuition fees. This makes the young Bahamian the first in his family to become a college graduate, he made this better by graduating with the highest distinction. During his time as a student, he held several leadership positions and won many awards. He even attracted the attention of the United States Department of Education which picked him as “One of the best and brightest students in the US.”
Post-graduation brought with it several challenges which almost kicked the Bahamian off track, he was earning very little as a private piano teacher yet he wanted to go to the Manhattan School of Music for his graduate studies. He had always dreamed of schooling in New York, becoming a world-famous pianist, and playing at the Carnegie Hall. Things seemed to work in his favor as his application was declined in August 2018.
He applied again and was granted admission to 3 schools in March 2019, Manhattan School of Music, Columbia University, and Hunter College. He plans to run a dual degree program that will help him impact the world with his knowledge in the nearest future.
His story has already attracted the attention of the Bahamian and US news networks and he has become an instant hit with TV shows. Stevens is still working hard to raise funds for his studies, you can be of support by clicking here.
