“Pans mean a lot to the kids. To see the joy in the kids- the excitement. It is a great feeling to watch the kids- WOW! I have simplified the pans so the kids can learn, You have to hear the kids play- I am telling you- no one in the islands can believe it- they are so good!"
    -Elvis Seales, Teaching Artist, former street musician and now a treasured
     mentor!

Project Overview

“Bequia was the inspiration to the whole concept of LEAF International. While visiting Bequia, one of my favorite places in the world, I started thinking about how a person could give back while vacationing and at the same time help get kids involved in their cultural music traditions. I went down to the local community school, and the principal was kind to see me. I asked how many of the kids were learning steel pan (only one). I asked how many are learning music in general (very few). Then I asked them if I was willing to donate pans and help connect them to two artist mentors, would they be willing to have a Music Program start. (yes!) Little did I know at the time, how expensive and complex Steel Pans are... I have so much more appreciation for them, and the fun Thursday night Jump Ups at the Frangipani. While ironically, Bequia is the last of our first 5 prototypes to start, it has been the inspiration for the whole concept of LEAF International, and hundreds of kids GLOBALLY are now learning music & working with mentors as a result of this project!"
     -Jennifer Pickering, LEAF Founder & Executive Director 

LEAF International created the Kids on Pan Program at Bequia Community High School in Bequia, in the Grenadine Islands in March 2008 at the Bequia Community High School. 263 youth from the island ages 6-15 participate in weekly classes. There are up to 6 classes per week. The music class teaches traditional Steel Pan on all of the various pans and there is a large component of performing in the community.

The goal of this program is to preserve local steel pan music and culture and empower youth through music. This outreach program will reach hundreds of youth now and for years to come who would not otherwise have an opportunity to learn how to play the Steel Pans and who need positive encouragement. When the program started only one kid on the island was learning to play pan and now forty are learning!

The steel pan classes are taught by Elvis Seales several times a week after school at the Bequia Community School. The classes are open to all kids on the island. The parents pay $50/month. The students participate in many community performances throughout the year as a result of the program. The program is known on the island as “KIDS ON PANS.”

This Program benefits the community by creating:

Through this program students receive:

Background of Program

The pans are set up at the Bequia Community School in a way that allows many different groups of kids to have access to the pans and to the classes. It is a beautiful sight to see the Pans of all the various sizes in the open-air school performance hall.

When the idea for LEAF International evolved in Bequia, only ONE island youth was learning to play the traditional Steel Pan. Five years later it is thrilling to see how Elvis, previously a street musician, has risen to be an exceptional teaching artist and engaging so many youth on the island in learning steel pan.

Acquiring Steel Pans was challenging. They had to be handmade in Trinidad at Gils Pan Shop and shipped by boat to the island. Small teaching Jumbie Jams pans were donated by Panyard. Local experts helped plan for the types of pans needed for the program. Tuning the pans continues to be a challenge- they need to be tuned twice a year, and there are only a few pan tuners in the islands. None of the tuners live in Bequia and must travel here. LEAF International will be stepping continue to help support Elvis’ teaching position and to help with fundraising to tune the pans twice a year.

Meet Elvis & a few of the Pan Students

"Abigail king is a 7yr old student who has been playing pan for about a year now, she really enjoys playing it and I’m glad to see her fuel her energy into something positive. Before she kneels to pray at night she plays the pan. She wants to play all the different pans. SHE LOVES IT! Abby is so much more confident. It is the only thing she is doing that she really loves. My husband and I along with some other family members bought a pan for Abby and her pan skills improved 100% as a result. The pan cost $1800 + $25 for the sticks. Pans do not come tuned and thanks to the LEAF INTERNATIONAL they offered to pay for her pan to be tuned, we were very grateful for their offer and can’t thank them enough for their kind contribution.”
     –Abby’s mom, Glynis King

“Raphaela started pan class in November. She is much more focused since she started learning to play steel pans. She loves it- she does not ever want to miss a day of practice.”
     -Raphaela’s Mom. Raphaela is 9 years old.

MEET ELVIS, The Teaching Artist

Elvis Seales is originally from St. Vincent where his father was the first Calypso King. His dad is 97yrs old. Elvis learned to play Steel Pan from his older brother. He was a street musician who also plays regular gigs in Bequia at Coco’s Restaurant and Keegans. Now he is the only teacher of the LI Bequia music program. Elvis and his longtime partner Iona of 15 years have a total of 8 kids ranging from 7 old to 31 yrs old. His siblings have all moved to the states, 2 sisters are in New York City and one brother lives in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

When asked, What are you proud of with this program? Elvis replied:
 “The kids call on me for lots of things. I am a mentor to them. They know I care. The steel pan program has changed how people on the island see them. I am very proud.” He later reflected,  “Now since the program started- you find kids on steel pan opening basketball games, playing for church events and services, and under an almond tree.”

Featured Stories

• May 2011| Elvis celebrated his 50th birthday May 28th! His students gave him a surprise party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELVIS!!
• 2011| Kids on Pan held an “Elvis Seales & his Pupils” Pan Concert Sunday on Feb 27th & March 13th at De Reef in Lower Bay Bequia. The intent was to engage the community, give the kids more concert performance experience, and raise awareness and funds for the Kids on Pans teaching program.
• 2009| The School Principal was so inspired by the music program that she has applied & received a grant to complement the program and has committed to sustaining the program with mentors & teachers. The Deputy of the Grenadines will use this premier Steel Pan Music Program for youth to hopefully bring a new program: Pans Against Violence to the island. He recognized the intrinsic value of this program to the whole island. [note: 2011 update budget cuts happened and LI has stepped back in to help continue the program support.]

The Community

The BIG LITTLE ISLAND! The tiny island of Bequia has a unique, magical charm which is hard to find anywhere else in the Caribbean. With fewer than six thousand inhabitants, it feels like home from the moment you arrive; friendliness is the watchword, and the pace is relaxed and easy-going. A centuries-old dependence on inter-island shipping and trading has meant that Bequians have been eagerly welcoming visitors to their shores for generations. If you find yourself on this magical island, every Thursday night the JUMP UP happens at the Frangipani on the bay. Steel pan bands come into town and the dancing in the sand begins.