The laudable Luke Welch

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“People will come up to me and say, ‘I remember you when you practiced back then.’ My response, yeah! I remember that you doubted me too!”

He has participated in the master classes of several distinguished artists. He has performed internationally including appearances in: Canada, United States of America, New Zealand, Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England. He has received exemplary results in academic and competitive adjudication.

In 2018, he performed for Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, and has been honoured with: Harry Jerome Arts Award (BBPA), FACTOR, Government of Canada, NUFFIC, Huygens Scholarship Programme (Netherlands), and the Portia White Scholarship (BBPA).

To add to our Classic Man’s extensive curriculum vitae, he released his debut solo album ‘The Universal Language’ in April, 2015, his second album ‘Crossing Borders’ – Scarlatti in February, 2017, a third album ‘The Return’ – Beethoven and Schumann in February, 2019, and appeared in the movie ‘Het Cadeau’, starring Hanna Verboom in February, 2015.

To think, I have only glazed over the list of achievements and honours that our Classic Man has received. Our goal with this feature series is to highlight the great work that has, and continues to be produced by men of colour globally, and to redirect the narrative that is found on most media outlets. This week I am thrilled to present to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper readers, the laudable Luke Welch.

“Gullible, yet optimistic, I remain for the next coveted opportunity.”

For years, Luke has questioned if the lack of interest in classical music within the black community is because it is so underrepresent at the highest levels, or if the lack of representation is yet another form of systemic discouragement towards some groups of society.

From an early age, Luke’s parents saw something in him, and they began to foster his abilities in whatever way they could.

“I grew up in Malton, a very diverse suburb of Mississauga. I was introduced to instruments in grade two, or three. In school, our music teacher Mr. Gibson was always teaching us different instruments. The one instrument we were not allowed to touch was the piano. I wanted to learn how to play, so he allowed me to play acoustic instruments.

At eleven or twelve, I started taking lessons. I had always enjoyed the piano, but practicing was a little harder to warm up to. I didn’t want to practice everyday. I wanted to be a kid.”

He realized quickly that there were not many other black pianists who were learning how to play classical music. Even though he was told that he was musically gifted, he felt that there were other pianists who were light years ahead of him. It lit a fire under him, and his goal was to improve and become the best version of his musical self that he could be.

“Around 15, 16, I you couldn’t pull me away from playing the piano. It just clicked for me. I became more self-regulated about practicing. I practiced all the time. I remember my piano teacher telling my parents, ‘He is playing well, but if he practices, he would do better.’ So that is what I did. I practiced.”

In 1999, Luke attended the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario) and received his Bachelor of Music (Honours). He then completed his Master of Music (Performance Studies – Piano) in 2006.

“University was a rude awakening to me. I practiced six, seven hours a day. I have always loved everything classical music has to offer. No matter how many hours of practice, there was always more work to do, and new heights to reach.

In my third year I developed Tendinitis, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, and a pinched nerve. I couldn’t play at all, so I had to take a few years off. One doctor told me that if you can play five minutes, let your body tell you when to stop. Other doctor’s were giving me medicines that didn’t work. I had literally practiced so much that I had to stop doing the thing that I loved.

During my time off, I had time to think. I reflected on all my years as a pianist. I realized that I had not encountered a single black pianist. I observed this not only in school, but also: at competitions, professional performances, piano master classes, and other musical environments. I had been so busy building my career that I didn’t have the time to be as cognizant as I probably should have been.

I realized that the stakes were much higher than simply accomplishing great feats playing classical music. I came to understand that I represented a community within a community – and by that I mean being a black classical musician in an already marginalized society. It became of paramount importance to be the best on stage, but it was imperative to remain aware that the lights, camera, and action did not stop for me just because the performance was over.”

Luke took a huge leap when he moved to the Netherlands in 2018, on a full scholarship. He remained there for ten years, and the lessons he learned during this time have served him throughout his career.

“I was committed to my own improvements, and those my piano teachers laid out for me. It seemed strange that I was often met with equal confusion, resentment, discouragement, and sometimes straight-up disdain from others around me. I have actually been stopped from entering a concert venue in which I was the performer, until I was able to convince the person at the door to look at the advertising poster to affirm that I should even be allowed inside the building.

I am not one to theorize whether or not my ethnicity has had an impact on my career opportunities, nor do I care too. I believe that quality will always succeed. I just need to continue to prepare well, push myself to be a better musician, maintain a respectful attitude, and appreciate the incredible support from everyone around me, and those who have contributed to my career. The rest will take care of itself.

Now that he is back in Toronto, Luke is teaching at a conservatory in Toronto, and teaching privately.

“I have not let COVID-19 get me down. I have used it to bolster my career. I am still giving concerts; one is coming up on August 22^nd, 2020 (Vancouver time, 9:00 pm). What I am most proud of is my most recent award, the 2018 Harry Jerome Award. My contributions to the black community are being recognized and it feels great.

 I encourage young black men to stay true to you. Don’t be too persuaded by positive, or negative feedback. People will try to plant doubt, but fight through that.”