KRISTY RAMNARINE
Kristy.ramnarine@cnc3.co.tt
Soprano LeAndra Head has been singing almost since she could speak. At the age of three, she sang Whitney Houston’s ‘Run to You’ for her parents—professional photographer Andrea De Silva and former US Marine Corps Master Sergeant Leroy Head Jr—successfully scaling high notes even seasoned performers are reluctant to attempt.
“I have a vague memory of this; certainly my mother and other relatives have spoken about this,” she said. “I remember always loving songs and singing them from just hearing them. I’ve always loved singing; it’s in my DNA, so to speak.”
Her vocal abilities earned her Best Soloist honours for three consecutive years at the popular SanFest music festival. Her first public performance was at the popular children’s talent contest Twelve and Under, broadcast on Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) and hosted by television icon Hazel Ward-Redman.
Just nine years old at the time, Head placed second with a spellbinding rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and earned the Joy Caesar trophy, which is awarded to the series’ most outstanding vocalist.
Ward-Redman immediately recognised Head’s vocals as coming from a higher source and told her mother, “‘Her voice is a gift from God.’”
“I don’t remember much about that encounter, but 12 and Under did signal the start of my performance career,” Head said. “My very first performance was on national television, and I’ll always be grateful for that,” she added.
“I was excited and a little apprehensive when people spoke about my voice and ability in this way. It was a little scary and sometimes overwhelming.”
Head took a break from performing in her early teens while attending secondary school. But it was during a trip to New York in March 2013 that she reignited her passion during an open mic event at the popular Sugar Bar in Manhattan, owned by American singer/songwriter duo Ashford and Simpson. Following her performance, she was immediately asked to return to do her own set on another night.
In August of that same year, Head was chosen by American production company Living Arts International Inc as the youngest person in the cast to perform in George Gershwin’s landmark opera Porgy and Bess in Budapest, Hungary.
“I knew singing was something I wanted to do, even after taking that break,” she said. “It was something that was compelling me, even in my reluctance. Not to mention the encouragement from family, friends, some in the industry, and members of the public.”
When the opportunity came to share the stage with her younger sister, Tylah Head, at the Trinidad and Tobago National Music Festival in 2017, they claimed the Anne Fridal Cup for Operatic Duet.
Head also won Best Folk Choir Performance with the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Choir, where she sang the solo. She graduated from UTT that year with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music with a specialisation in voice training in classical music.
“UTT was a good experience given the challenges. I learned a lot,” she said. “I had excellent professors in the person of the late Dr Mikkens and, of course, Dr Leah Brown, who has been a real mentor and friend. I wanted to perfect my craft, and university was the next logical step. I met a lot of wonderful people, some of whom I have performed with and are my cherished friends.”
On November 5, 2023, Head put on her own production, Soundtracks Through Time, which paid tribute to Beryl McBurnie, a Trinidadian dancer and choreographer who took Caribbean dance to stages across the world in the 1940s. The icon also established Trinidad’s first theatre, The Little Carib Theatre in Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain.
With an impressive repertoire of much-loved movie soundtracks, from ‘Gold Finger’, ‘My Heart Will Go On’, ‘I Will Always Love You’, to ‘Never Enough’ from the movie ‘The Greatest Showman’, Head’s dynamic, outstanding, and thrilling vocals delighted and once again moved the audience to a standing ovation and prolonged applause.
“This show was a very big feat for me. There was a lot of work that went into it,” she said. “It was a large cast of musicians, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to do this show at Little Carib Theatre and tie in the tribute to the pioneer Beryl McBurnie.”
Inspired by the passion of soul diva Etta James and the melodic phrasings of the first lady of jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, Head wants to continue entertaining.
“I want to keep producing shows, record my own music, and have more opportunities to perform internationally,” Head added. “I just want to keep growing my career in music and see how far I can go.”
LeAndra Live—Strings and Voice
Her latest event, LeAndra Live—Strings and Voice, will be held at Stollmeyer’s Castle Killarney on April 27–28.
It will feature an eclectic mix of genres, including classical, musical theatre, Flamenco style, and Bossa nova.
Highlights include performances by Head and guitarist Stefan Roach, pianist Eunmi Choi from Korea, singer Tylah Head, cellist Wasia Ward, violist Nariba Herbert, and special guest classical guitarist Ulyana Shapoval from Ukraine.