A Bahamian Pianist’s Journey Of Perseverance And Survival

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NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – From sleeping in shelters with nothing but faith., to performing at Carnegie Hall and now teaching at the University of The Bahamas, Elijah Stevens’ journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

His story of resilience shows how a dream, even against impossible odds, can change a life and inspire a nation.

Our Evlynn Ferguson has the story.

After facing homelessness abroad, Elijah Stevens was determined persevere, working tirelessly and staying focused until he reached the concert stage.

Now, adjunct professor of piano in the UB music department, Elijah Stevens, shares how it all began.

“I came to the US with just $100 in my pocket and a dream to become a concert pianist and to one day be a professor. And, I had no, kind of scholarship support from home, but I left, packed all my things in faith, and hoped that something would work out for me to be able to get financial support, to study abroad. And, you know, God opened the doors where, as I was able to audition at the Bethune Cookman University, and I got, a scholarship.”

And Elijah’s faith carried him through Bethune‑Cookman University. From there, he began witnessing world renowned opera singers and classically trained artists, to actually being inspired to take his skills to the next level. He then applied for the Manhattan School of Music, and later to Longy School of Music in Boston. Along the way, scholarships and awards helped him to be the first in his family to attend and complete university, breaking barriers as a Bahamian artist.

“I got the Lyford Cay Foundations, Thompson and Innovation Leadership Award, which would have given me up to $60,000 dollars Canadian dollars to fund the remainder of my studies. And so, my housing, my tuition, everything was paid for, and I became the 1st Bahamian to earn an artist diploma, which is equivalent or widely regarded as equivalent to the doctoral degree, and is for artists who are pursuing serious careers in music, who are going to perform extensively.”

Even after advancing his studies, Elijah’s journey was marked by painful setbacks. In the world of classical music, where black instrumentalists are few, he encountered racism and rejection. Yet, he kept pressing forward. He reflects on one of the hardest chapters of his life.

“I was starting to work in Florida. I left my jobs. I drove 16 hours to Manhattan School of Music and faith, hoping that it would work out that I would be able to study with her. what happened was, you know, even after all of that, uh, it just didn’t work out initially where the school said, no. And so, I said, I was gonna give up. I was gonna let it go, but I held on to that dream because I wouldn’t leave New York. I stayed in New York. I started out sleeping in my car, and then I eventually lost my car and I went into the homeless shelter, which was, you know, a sort of depressing moment and period of my life.”

Through every obstacle, his heart stayed focused on home. That determination eventually led him back to The Bahamas, where he applied to the University of The Bahamas for a higher calling. Today, Elijah is grateful for where his journey brought him and he’s working to build a legacy of music and mentorship so young interested Bahamian artists can do what they love and thrive here, at home.

“And you know, my heart at that point was still, I want to give back. I want to be home, I want to work in higher education. And so I submitted my application to the University of the Bahamas, which is something that I had done actually the 1st time I was home about a year or so ago. And while it didn’t work out initially, I’m thankfully that this time there was an opportunity for me to serve and for me to join the faculty. And I’m so excited to now be able to share my story, to inspire the next generation of artists”