Terrel A. Donovan, a music teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), aspires to become a well-established musician and songwriter in the music industry. Photo: Provided

Mr Terrel A. Donovan currently teaches trumpet and trombone to Junior School students of ESHS. This is his third year as a music educator. Photo: Provided

Terrel A. Donovan is a music teacher at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) who, while shaping the dreams of the young generation, has aspirations of his own- namely to become a well-established musician and songwriter in the music industry.

Helping music to stay alive in VI

Mr Donovan, a resident of the quiet community of Carrot Bay, currently teaches trumpet and trombone to Junior School students of ESHS. This is his third year as a music educator.

“I wanted to do my part in helping music to stay alive in the public schools. I've always had a love for music since my high school days,” Mr Donovan shared as his reason for become a music teacher.

The young man noted too that he enjoys working with students and seeing their enthusiasm, progress and growth. 

Asked where he would like to see himself ultimately in the profession, Mr Donovan replied “To be a better-rounded Music Teacher.”

Mr Donovan candidly shared that his job, as entertaining and exciting as it could be, is not without its challenges and that it takes conscious effort to overcome them.

“It gets stressful at times, the students can test your patience, things sometimes don't go as planned but I usually just take a step back for a second and approach my challenges as level headed as possible.”

Added to the challenges mentioned was the destruction to the building that housed the music department and the loss of musical instruments and other tools at Elmore Stoutt High School due to the hurricanes of September 2017.

The music department also had to fit in the old Clarence Thomas (CTL) building in Pasea Estate where everyone has had to make do with the make-shift conditions.

“Working in the CTL building has been challenging. The Hurricanes really destroyed our school and some of our resources but we've always tried our best to make it work with what we have.”

Schooling

Mr Donovan is a product of the Isabella Morris Primary School in Carrot Bay and the Elmore Stoutt High School in Road Town.

Following high school, our Young Professional enrolled at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) where he pursued an Associate’s Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Chemistry.

Mr Donovan then obtained a Bachelor's of Arts in Music Industry with a minor in Spanish at Missouri Southern State University.

Asked what are some of his other career goals, Mr Donovan said he wishes to one day become “a well-established musician/songwriter in the music industry.”

In his spare time, Mr Donovan enjoys exercising, listening to music, reading, hanging out with friends and learning new languages.

The young music teacher credits mainly his parents, Orien and Olympia Donovan, for his achievements so far but also said he draws inspiration from well-known Virgin Islands’ musicians Mr Andre S. L. Brathwaite, Alton A. Bertie and Caave K. Stoutt.

Advice to young people

Leaving some advice for young people to encourage them to pursue their career ambitions, Mr Donovan urged them to stay focused in everything they do. “And don't let anyone sway and detour you from your goals. Don't compare your life to other people's life, be yourself and follow your own path in life. Trust in the Most High and trust the process.”