01 Sep 2023
Pianist and Key Board Player | Simon Erick Otieno
- Let's talk about your passion for the piano: how did you start out? How did you learn?
Since I was a child, I used to love music and playing instruments; a passion untold at the time. When at Moi Forces Academy primary school my love for the piano grew though I was never to access one back then until while at Moi Forces Academy Secondary School, Nairobi.
I without a thought took on music as a subject in high school from form 1 to 4. That gave me the foundational piano playing skills. Additionally, this was the only voice and music theory, which gave me a strong ground in voice training choral singing and training. Thanks to that training I am now a Choir choral Trainer and voice coach to various music groups!
It is from my interest to mentor upcoming musicians that with the help of one of my teachers I set St. Paul’s ACK Choir in Nairobi South.
I also doubled as the church keyboardist and spent most of my days assisting the choir master manage the choir activities.
- How easy was it to learn playing?
I would not refer to it as easy but with lots of practice one can get better. For my case, no one was readily available to instruct me so I had to lots of self-training at the beginning. By the time I was completing my high school, I had become so good that I trained quite a number of students.
- What kind of piano do you play and what do you love about it?
While in school I played the upright Grand piano, whereas in church I play the Yamaha electronic keyboard PSR640, PSR 770. Either way I can play any piano make.
- What is your favorite music to play alongside the piano?
Being a church person, I love Gospel music, classical music i.e., the Handel's messiah, I love Accapella music and choir singing.
- Where do you play?
I play mostly hymns in church during praise and worship sessions and worship concerts.
- Describe your best performance this far? (Either in a concert or gathering)
My best performances are during church services or during overnight prayer meetings. I also enjoy playing during KQ prayer meetings most notably during this year’s KQ prayer meeting at Hangar 2 in July.
Any pianist you look out to or one who inspires you?
I used to get inspired by two renowned keyboard players Isaac I and Gideon Kamanzi both of whom serve in churches and have gone to accomplish a lot. They are truly inspirational.
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01 Sep 2023
Let's talk about your passion for the piano: how did you start out? How did you learn? Since I was a child, I used to love music and playing instruments; a passion untold at the time. When at Moi Forces Academy primary school my love for the piano grew though I was never to access one back then until while at Moi Forces Academy Secondary School, Nairobi. I without a thought took on music as a subject in high school from form 1 to 4. That gave me the foundational piano playing skills. Additionally, this was the only voice and music theory, which gave me a strong ground in voice training choral singing and training. Thanks to that training I am now a Choir choral Trainer and voice coach to various music groups! It is from my interest to mentor upcoming musicians that with the help of one of my teachers I set St. Paul’s ACK Choir in Nairobi South. I also doubled as the church keyboardist and spent most of my days assisting the choir master manage the choir activities.
01 Sep 2023
Let's talk about your passion for the piano: how did you start out? How did you learn? Since I was a child, I used to love music and playing instruments; a passion untold at the time. When at Moi Forces Academy primary school my love for the piano grew though I was never to access one back then until while at Moi Forces Academy Secondary School, Nairobi. I without a thought took on music as a subject in high school from form 1 to 4. That gave me the foundational piano playing skills. Additionally, this was the only voice and music theory, which gave me a strong ground in voice training choral singing and training. Thanks to that training I am now a Choir choral Trainer and voice coach to various music groups! It is from my interest to mentor upcoming musicians that with the help of one of my teachers I set St. Paul’s ACK Choir in Nairobi South. I also doubled as the church keyboardist and spent most of my days assisting the choir master manage the choir activities.
01 Sep 2023
Let's talk about your passion for the piano: how did you start out? How did you learn? Since I was a child, I used to love music and playing instruments; a passion untold at the time. When at Moi Forces Academy primary school my love for the piano grew though I was never to access one back then until while at Moi Forces Academy Secondary School, Nairobi. I without a thought took on music as a subject in high school from form 1 to 4. That gave me the foundational piano playing skills. Additionally, this was the only voice and music theory, which gave me a strong ground in voice training choral singing and training. Thanks to that training I am now a Choir choral Trainer and voice coach to various music groups! It is from my interest to mentor upcoming musicians that with the help of one of my teachers I set St. Paul’s ACK Choir in Nairobi South. I also doubled as the church keyboardist and spent most of my days assisting the choir master manage the choir activities.
01 Sep 2023
Let's talk about your passion for the piano: how did you start out? How did you learn? Since I was a child, I used to love music and playing instruments; a passion untold at the time. When at Moi Forces Academy primary school my love for the piano grew though I was never to access one back then until while at Moi Forces Academy Secondary School, Nairobi. I without a thought took on music as a subject in high school from form 1 to 4. That gave me the foundational piano playing skills. Additionally, this was the only voice and music theory, which gave me a strong ground in voice training choral singing and training. Thanks to that training I am now a Choir choral Trainer and voice coach to various music groups! It is from my interest to mentor upcoming musicians that with the help of one of my teachers I set St. Paul’s ACK Choir in Nairobi South. I also doubled as the church keyboardist and spent most of my days assisting the choir master manage the choir activities.
