Taya Ming – Communicating with Drama, Sharing Love with Music!
Her introduction to music came from her mum who loves to sing, growing up she would always be singing and playing lots of music, so their house was filled with music and naturally Taya started singing.
Taya started playing the steelpan in 2011; after her childhood friend recommended it and hearing its mystical sounds in school captured her attention. She started playing with the Hornsey School for Girls steel band in year eight. Her love and dedication for the steelpan has seen her progress over the last ten years to play with Pan Nation, Endurance and Ebony Steel Orchestras. She has also played with Stardust Steel Orchestra on the road at London’s iconic Notting Hill Carnival.
Taya playing at BAS Junior Panorama Competition
Taya’s has various roles in the Pan Nation Steel Orchestra, which include Vice Captain, Double Seconds Section Leader and Double Tenor Player. She stated they are all very important and believes that passion and commitment are the drivers to success as without them you are likely to fail. One of her most challenging experience was to learn two parts of a panorama tune and teach two sections, whilst learning the music herself with an injured wrist. She was able to complete all the tasks successfully and her sense of achievement was given a massive boost.
Her favourite musical instrument is of course the steelpan and Chris Storey, the manager/arranger/founder of Pan Nation Steel Orchestra is her musical inspiration. Taya believes the future of the steelpan art form lies with the younger generation. Allowing them to explore and experiment with the steelpan will benefit the art form. They should be allowed to make decisions, as they are the future. She thinks that if the younger pan musicians want age restrictions on competitions removed, it should be removed.
Taya playing at Pan Nation Blockorama
One of Taya’s ambitions is to teach people to play the steelpan. She believes that overcoming her anxiety at the moment will enable her to achieve her goal. Her aim is to progress beyond some of the current outstanding steelpan arrangers.
When asked what needs to be done to encourage more young people to play the steelpan, she replied, ‘I think steel pan is the most accessible instrument out there, being able to only pay £1 a week for a practise session is great but I think as a community we need to push every band equally, not just the biggest and ‘best’ steelbands. All steelbands around the country should have an equal opportunity to do amazing things and assist each other in doing so’.
What do you think needs to happen globally for the steelpan instrument and its culture to be more widely recognised on all musical platforms? Taya replied, ‘people need to stop trying to take ownership of the instrument. Many people have issues with non-black people playing the pan but most of the time, people who play pan in the UK, LOVE it whole heartedly. Pan isn’t about colour, race, religion or anything else, its all about the love and passion for music.’
Taya playing at Pan Nation Blockorama
Taya is also a drama student and just graduated from drama school with 1st class honours. She said, ‘It was definitely the worst four years of my life but I am now signed to an agency and audition and hoping to get some work soon.’
Growing up Taya was interested in a lot of things, gymnastics, swimming, dancing, guitar, bass guitar, art etc but none of them ever stuck, except for playing the steelpan. It has taught her patience and given her confidence. She has made forever friends at Pan Nation Steel Orchestra and loves playing her steelpan with her whole soul. It definitely saved her life, and she wants to do the same for someone else.
Panpodium applauds this young aspiring musician and qualified drama student for her drive and determination coupled with her love and dedication for the steelpan instrument. This combination will certainly see her successfully achieve all her goals.
