Annette Alfred nee Nicholson, hails from the picturesque seaside village of Charlotteville, Tobago where she spent her early years singing hymns and acting in church activities under the tutelage of Mrs. Majorie Saunders, wife of the then Methodist minister, Rev. Phillip Saunders. Her early love of singing might well be credited to her mother, Margaret "Meggie" Nicholson, who would frequently burst into song as she raised her brood. At Teacher Bebsey's Nursery school, Annette learnt "Bits of Paper" and "Birds upon the Treetop" which she sang for customers at her family's food-store and was rewarded with "a penny", much to the chagrin of Her father, Maurice "Popo" Nicholson After leaving secondary school-Bishop's High School, Tobago-where she performed on stage whenever she could, she attended Mausica Teachers' College in Trinidad. Here, the author found her niche. She became famous for dramatizing and harmonizing folk songs for the college choir. A powerful alto singer, she was instrumental in the choir's successes at Music Festival and other national competitions. Her years as a teacher at the primary and secondary levels were filled with cultural exploits, including participation in the Prime Minister's Best Village Competition in which she led the village of Plymouth for five years, before leaving for New York University on a Government scholarship in 1977. There she perfected her skills in drama and to a lesser extent dance. The author returned to Tobago, with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Educational Theatre and was assigned to the Culture Department which she led from 1997 to 2006. In 1983 she founded and led the powerful Tobago Academy of Performing Arts, (TAPA) which became the mecca for dance-Ballet, Modern, Jazz and, of course, folk-on the island. TAPA was the only suitable venue for ballet and this opportunity for Tobago's dancers regretfully ended when Tobago's most outstanding dance outfit, closed in 2007. That same year, Annette started the Itsy Bitsy Playhouse and Folk Theatre giving the less fortunate children of the Mt. Pleasant community an opportunity to dance, sing, perform and learn the art of stilt walking. Today, the Itsy Bitsy Folk Theatre is still alive, active mainly in folk singing and folk dancing. In 2002, Mrs. Alfred, one of the architects of the Tobago Heritage Festival, started management of the Charlotteville Heritage Folk Performers. This group has become famous for its outstanding cultural presentations and is always a force to be reckoned with in folk singing and folk dancing among other cultural activities. She is also an ardent carnival enthusiast and carnival bandleader, winning the Tobago Band of the Year title for ten years. Annette married Richard Alfred in 1972 and together they have four children. She is high in praise for her beloved husband and credits him with much of her achievements through his ardent support of her exploits in the performing arts. Annette Alfred has been widely recognized for her contribution to the culture of her island and country in the spheres of public service and culture. Her awards include ¿ 2007 - Appointment as an Independent Senator ¿ 2005, National Award - The Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) of the Order of the Trinity ¿ 2003, National Award - The Chaconia Medal (Bronze) of the Order of the Trinity- ¿ 2001, World Folk Dance competition, Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod - 1st place (TAPA) She has also been featured on Tobago Channel Five's Community Legends as an outstanding cultural icon and is regarded as the preferred source of information for many students and researchers on Tobago's culture. If you want to meet Annette Alfred, you simply need to visit a Tobago Wake and Bongo, a Heritage Festival Folk Fiesta, a Natural Treasures Day celebration in Charlotteville, or wherever there is folk singing and folk dancing. Come Sing with Ti Netty is her first publication.
