Sean Sutherland, a classical pianist from St Vincent and the Grenadines, who has had major successes on the world stage for his performances, has been named as one of the six Laureates for 2021 by the Anthony N Sabga (ANSA) Caribbean Awards for Excellence.

The other laureates for 2021 are Dr Guna Muppuri for Entrepreneurship, Dr Floyd Morris for Public & Civic Contributions, and Professor Rupika Delgoda for Science & Technology (joint), all from Jamaica; and Dr Ayanna Phillips Savage Science & Technology (joint), and Maria Nunes (Arts & Letters (joint), both from Trinidad & Tobago.

The ANSA Caribbean Awards seeks out and rewards outstanding nominees in Arts & Letters, Public & Civic Contributions, Science & Technology and Entrepreneurship. It has been in existence since 2005 and has named, inclusive of the current inductees, 49 Laureates from throughout the region.

Sutherland, who received the award in the Arts & Letters category is the fourth Vincentian to receive the award, the others being Professor Leonard O’Garro, Dr Richard Robertson and Herbert ‘Haz’ Samuel.

Sutherland holds multiple degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science alongside a degree in Music from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was named an MIT Arts Scholar (1998-2000). He received the prestigious Weisner Prize from the institute for his significant service to the arts there.

Some of his recitals include solo performances at the Steinway Halls in Plano and Forth Worth, Texas, USA (2018) and Gasteig in Munich, Germany (2017). He has done collaborative performances with the National Sinfornia Orchestra of Trinidad (2009 and 2010) and the National Steel Symphony Orchestra in Trinidad (2011 and 2014), the Mountain View Los Altos Adult Orchestra (2017, 2018, and 2019), the Odin Quartet and Ébène in Toronto, Canada (2020), and the California Concerto Festival Orchestra (2020). He has also made his mark in major competitions: The Van Cliburn (semi- finalist, 2016), the Chopin Competition in Poland (prize for the best waltz, 2018), the Piano Bridges Competition in Russia (finalist, 2019), and the Piano Lovers Over 40 competition in Italy (2nd place, 2019).

While he now lives in Canada, he remains involved in regional and local musical education and practice, an involvement that started during his formative years in his native St Vincent.

Over the years, Sutherland has performed either as a soloist or collaboratively in Bonaire, Trinidad, Barbados, St Vincent, St Lucia, Dominica, Antigua, Turks & Caicos, The Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba. He was an accompanist for the 100 Voice Project in Barbados (2013, 2014, & 2015). Most recently, he has collaborated with the Starlift Steel Orchestra (St Vincent) and has performed at the Frank Collymore Hall (Barbados) and at the Peace Memorial Hall (St Vincent).

The 2021 ceremony of the ANSA Caribbean Awards will be staged sometime in 2021. The date will be determined in accordance with travel protocols dictated by the Covid-19 situation.

For further information, visit www.ansacaribbeanawards.com.