Machel montano education portal
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“Trinidad and Tobago is the mecca of all things carnival, from the music to the mas (costumes) to the fetes.
Empowering music artistes, producers, executives, and other service providers who cater to the music business in T&T to build and sustain long-term careers doing what they love. The climax was his victory in the Road March.
Montano’s debut album “Too Young To Soca”, released in 1985, was an instant hit which earned rave reviews and standing ovations at live performances. In 2018 and 2019, he won back-to-back Road Marches with “Soca Kingdom”, a collaboration with one of his heroes, Soca legend, Super Blue, and then with “Famalay”, a collaboration with Skinny Fabulous & Bunji Garlin.
In 2018, Machel received an Honourary Doctorate in the Arts from The University of Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2021, Machel was inducted in to the Young, Gifted & Black Caribbean Music Entertainment ICON Hall of Fame and received an award from Harvard University’s Caribbean Club for Entertainer of the Year.
In 2017, Machel trained at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, completing their Gracious Living 4-Day Detox and Therahealing Basic and Advanced DNA Training.
Through his ever-evolving musical offerings, Machel works on his mission of depositing Soca into the domain of mainstream music. Machel’s career began in 1982 at age seven; at age nine he formed his band, Pranasonic Express. “Ministry of Road” yielded even more success for Machel, as after being nominated twice for a Soul Train Award without a win, he brought home the award in November 2014 for Best International performance with “Ministry of Road.”
Machel began 2015 with a bang after he successfully defended his Power Soca Monarch title for the fifth time with the infectious song “Like Ah Boss” which also won the coveted Road March title.
His return to the competition was spectacular where he emerged the Power Soca Monarch Champion 2k11 and also captured the prize for best presentation. In 2016, he again won the Road March with his song “Waiting on the Stage” ft. In April of 1986, the young performer appeared on the popular television show, Star Search, bringing Soca music to US national television.
One of Machel’s earliest and greatest achievements was his May 1984 appearance at Madison Square Garden in the Felt Forum in New York City at the age of 9.
Through the monetization of creative works, Soundbridge addresses United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 8—to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. That year also found Machel receiving an award at the 1st Annual BET J Virtual Awards for Best Caribbean Artiste of the Year.
In January 2010, Machel became the first Soca artiste to attain a headlining slot at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.
Badjohn Republic. “An undergraduate degree in Carnival Studies? On May 2, 2010 he made history as the only two-time recipient (2008) of The Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year at Martins International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).
Stay tuned for the launch of our online music education program featuring exclusive content from Machel Montano, the Monk Music team, and others.
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Machel Montano Earns Master’s in Carnival Studies at UTT
Caribbean music icon Machel Montano, widely credited with popularizing Soca music globally, has added another achievement to his impressive career: a Master’s Degree in Carnival Studies.
It also offers strong connections to the carnival industry, giving students hands-on experience in the creative and business sides of carnival culture.
Biography
Born November 24, 1974 in Port of Spain Trinidad, Machel Montano was destined to be great. Now an academic advocate, he joins others in pushing for global recognition of Caribbean culture.
Reflecting on his journey, Montano emphasized the value of blending artistry with education, urging young people to see learning as a key to preserving their heritage.
On the heels of Carnival he returned to Madison Square Garden in March 2011 another sold out event.
In 2012, Machel became a Triple Crown Winner, by winning the Groovy Soca Title and International Power Soca Monarch competitions. Machel has only been involved with the Isha organization for a short time, but since 2018 he has completed Inner Engineering Online, Inner Engineering in California & Bhava Spandana in Tennessee with Sadhguru himself.