Kevin Savino: Kevingulie Savino popularly known as Kevin Savino all of 15 is a piano prodigy of the State. He is currently preparing for his HSLC exams from Holy cross Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. Kevin began his piano lessons at the tender age of 8 and it was this young boy’s dream to become the foremost and youngest grade 8 pianist of the State. The dream did not merely remain a dream as he attained grade 8 with a distinction from the Trinity College of London at 12 in the year 2008. He also earned the title of the best exhibition award in Piano Grade 8 in India. Kevin is currently one of the youngest ATCL Diploma Holder in the country and the youngest in the State.
He made his appearances in churches, competitions, concerts, carnivals, weddings and Musical shows at an early stage as a Solo performer and has performed with many renowned artists of the State. To name a few – he performed for the President of India with the Zowe Madrigal, Accompanied and performed with Nise Meruno for the Top industrialists the Piramals in Mumbai, performed with one of the most renowned soprano Singer in the Country- Sittu Singh in Delhi this year and also the Winner of Virtuoso Instrumentalist 2011.
This young piano genius believes that without the support of his family and friends the learning process of both Life and music would have been impossible. Above all he thanks the Lord for the talent he is blessed with. He is someone who is determined to strive and work hard till the end and do the best in the road of life, and tells himself each day that “It’s just the beginning and still has a long way to go”.
Akok Imsong: For this 21 year old pianist music has always been a passion since he was a boy. It was at the age of 14 that Akok seriously took to music and began experimenting with different music and instruments. But it was the piano which made him choose music as a profession as he believes it makes one speak out silently. What remains even more inspiring is the fact that Akok never took to any formal training. It has been sheer effort, self learning and guidance from his brother Manen also a musical genius and a renowned musician of the State. He believes music is a slow and dynamic process with its share of hardships and struggles and thus goes on to credit his family’s positive attitude towards music that has brought him this far.
Akok has been influenced by famous musicians like Yanni and Jordan Rudess. He exclaims that his best experience and opportune moment with music was during the International culture mix festival (ICMF) in the month of October where he got a chance to meet and get acquainted with T.C Hawking an international musician. He is currently a full time music instructor in Hills Praise Music Academy and High Praise Music School (Kids Worship Centre). Akok is also the keyboardist of the well-known band, Incipit (Runners up of Hornbill national rock contest 2010, winner of rock rules Guwahati 2011). Interestingly, Incipit is also the official band for the upcoming live band round of the Naga Orpheus Hunt.
Noah: Noah is a Korean National and it was his father’s profession as a missionary that brought her to Nagaland in the year 2009. She has been playing the piano since she was four and with a penchant for the instrument it was always her dream to be a pianist. Though she grew up playing the piano regularly for church services midway in her teenage years there was a gap but she never did she lose her technique. Coming from a missionary family her grandparents and parents always emphasized that she could serve the gospel through music but she couldn't agree with them. However, that changed when she met many Nagas who came to her with enthusiasm to learn piano making her feel she could be a good music teacher to them. On further witnessing the love for music the Nagas have she realized that it has been God’s will to bring her here.
Noah has many accolades to her career as a pianist. She has worked as a piano teacher of Lincoln House School in Bucheon, Korea 2004-2006), she was also the pianist for the International Students' Camp (summer/winter) of IYF (International Youth Fellowship) Programme (2000-2006), a Free Music Academic teacher in Kenya and Tanzania also performing voluntary work as a short-term missionary in Africa 2005. She is presently working as a music teacher for Delhi Public School and is also a piano teacher at the Hope Centre for Excellence.
She believes though she is starting her work in a very small stage but she knows that God will help her to encourage Naga youngsters and also serve the gospel through music. She in fact feels God has already accomplished her dream here in Nagaland.
Peleseno Thakro: Peleseno Thakro tracks back her memory with the piano to when she was 13. It was then that she felt the fondness for the sound of piano which awakened her pianist’s instincts and Peleseno soon took to learning the instrument. Much diverse to her current profession as a piano instructor for Music and Arts at the Hope Centre for Excellence, Peleseno has a Master’s degree in Economics. But it was her love for music that kept growing and she further earned her 8 Grade Piano from the Trinity School of Music in London. Besides the obvious of loving to play the piano, she loves singing and was a member of "Patkai Chorale" and "Colors. She has participated in numerous concerts and also accompanies choirs.
Peleseno believes music is an expression of life and that it has become an integral part of her life. With all that she has attained this young lady does not fail to thank the almighty for being endowed with the gift of music.
He made his appearances in churches, competitions, concerts, carnivals, weddings and Musical shows at an early stage as a Solo performer and has performed with many renowned artists of the State. To name a few – he performed for the President of India with the Zowe Madrigal, Accompanied and performed with Nise Meruno for the Top industrialists the Piramals in Mumbai, performed with one of the most renowned soprano Singer in the Country- Sittu Singh in Delhi this year and also the Winner of Virtuoso Instrumentalist 2011.
This young piano genius believes that without the support of his family and friends the learning process of both Life and music would have been impossible. Above all he thanks the Lord for the talent he is blessed with. He is someone who is determined to strive and work hard till the end and do the best in the road of life, and tells himself each day that “It’s just the beginning and still has a long way to go”.
Akok Imsong: For this 21 year old pianist music has always been a passion since he was a boy. It was at the age of 14 that Akok seriously took to music and began experimenting with different music and instruments. But it was the piano which made him choose music as a profession as he believes it makes one speak out silently. What remains even more inspiring is the fact that Akok never took to any formal training. It has been sheer effort, self learning and guidance from his brother Manen also a musical genius and a renowned musician of the State. He believes music is a slow and dynamic process with its share of hardships and struggles and thus goes on to credit his family’s positive attitude towards music that has brought him this far.
Akok has been influenced by famous musicians like Yanni and Jordan Rudess. He exclaims that his best experience and opportune moment with music was during the International culture mix festival (ICMF) in the month of October where he got a chance to meet and get acquainted with T.C Hawking an international musician. He is currently a full time music instructor in Hills Praise Music Academy and High Praise Music School (Kids Worship Centre). Akok is also the keyboardist of the well-known band, Incipit (Runners up of Hornbill national rock contest 2010, winner of rock rules Guwahati 2011). Interestingly, Incipit is also the official band for the upcoming live band round of the Naga Orpheus Hunt.
Noah: Noah is a Korean National and it was his father’s profession as a missionary that brought her to Nagaland in the year 2009. She has been playing the piano since she was four and with a penchant for the instrument it was always her dream to be a pianist. Though she grew up playing the piano regularly for church services midway in her teenage years there was a gap but she never did she lose her technique. Coming from a missionary family her grandparents and parents always emphasized that she could serve the gospel through music but she couldn't agree with them. However, that changed when she met many Nagas who came to her with enthusiasm to learn piano making her feel she could be a good music teacher to them. On further witnessing the love for music the Nagas have she realized that it has been God’s will to bring her here.
Noah has many accolades to her career as a pianist. She has worked as a piano teacher of Lincoln House School in Bucheon, Korea 2004-2006), she was also the pianist for the International Students' Camp (summer/winter) of IYF (International Youth Fellowship) Programme (2000-2006), a Free Music Academic teacher in Kenya and Tanzania also performing voluntary work as a short-term missionary in Africa 2005. She is presently working as a music teacher for Delhi Public School and is also a piano teacher at the Hope Centre for Excellence.
She believes though she is starting her work in a very small stage but she knows that God will help her to encourage Naga youngsters and also serve the gospel through music. She in fact feels God has already accomplished her dream here in Nagaland.
Peleseno Thakro: Peleseno Thakro tracks back her memory with the piano to when she was 13. It was then that she felt the fondness for the sound of piano which awakened her pianist’s instincts and Peleseno soon took to learning the instrument. Much diverse to her current profession as a piano instructor for Music and Arts at the Hope Centre for Excellence, Peleseno has a Master’s degree in Economics. But it was her love for music that kept growing and she further earned her 8 Grade Piano from the Trinity School of Music in London. Besides the obvious of loving to play the piano, she loves singing and was a member of "Patkai Chorale" and "Colors. She has participated in numerous concerts and also accompanies choirs.
Peleseno believes music is an expression of life and that it has become an integral part of her life. With all that she has attained this young lady does not fail to thank the almighty for being endowed with the gift of music.
