“Choral conducting is a very specialised field within the already specialised classical music field, and it is encouraging to see a young conductor following his dream. I expect we will hear a lot about Hudlin in the decades to come.”
These words, spoken five years ago by renowned musician and educator Dr. Richard Tang Yuk, was a powerful foreshadowing of the potential of rising composer and conductor Michael Hudlin. Since then, Michael has not only lived up to those expectations, he has begun to surpass them. Today, he stands as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most accomplished young musical talents and is preparing to embark on the next chapter of his journey: pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Choral Conducting at the University of Maryland in the United States.
As part of his fundraising efforts for this new phase, Michael is once again partnering with the powerhouse production company Chandelier Productions to re-stage one of his most acclaimed chorale presentations: Where We From. This reprise will take place on Saturday 19th July 2025 at All Saints’ Anglican Church, Port of Spain, at 7:00 pm and again on Sunday 27th July 2025 at St. Benedict’s R.C. Church, La Romaine at 6:30 pm.
Originally presented in 2024, Where We From is a dynamic showcase of Caribbean identity and artistic capability. The production received glowing reviews, including high praise from the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Peru, who shared:
“Wonderful concert! I love the compositions and performance very much. Unforgettable experience—and it was my first concert in TT! It couldn’t be better!”
This reprise shifts its lens even more intimately onto Michael’s creative voice, with a programme composed primarily of his original works and arrangements. It celebrates the richness of Trinbagonian genres, while also serving as a curated reflection of his evolution as a composer. Audiences can still look forward to a performance of the Te Deum Laudamus (Latin for We Praise Thee, O God), one of Michael’s signature compositions and a standout moment in the 2024 presentation.
This year’s production promises to be even more stirring and transcendent, brought to life by an exceptional ensemble of vocalists and musicians:
Sopranos: Adafih Padmore, Alicia Barrie, Fayola King-Lawrence, Samantha Stanislaus, Ayanna Dickson
Altos: Laura Moses, Gabrielle Tull, Christine David Lewis, Paula Daniel-Linton
Tenors: Jaron Saunders, Jamel Williams, Brian Dyer, Carl-Anthony Hines, Albert Smith
Baritones: Garnet Allen, Dirk Govia, Trevor Townsend, Anderson Hudlin, Kwesi Worrell
Musicians: Jessel Murray (Piano), Henderson Hudlin (Bass), Okerra Hudlin (Drums)
A proud son of Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Hudlin is one of the region’s most promising musical minds. With an impressive portfolio of choral compositions, arrangements, and productions, he has built a reputation for innovation, blending Western classical tradition with the richness of Caribbean sound. A graduate of the University of the West Indies (Certificate in Music), State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Bachelor of Arts in Music), and the Eastman School of Music (Master of Music in Conducting), Michael’s next academic chapter will help further his mission to elevate Caribbean choral music on the global stage. At the University of Maryland, he will begin his doctoral studies, where he will study under Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand, Director of Choral Activities. Dr. Ferdinand is one of the leading figures in global choral music and a fellow Trinidadian. He is internationally renowned for his work with the multi-award-winning Oakwood University Aeolians and is a respected composer, educator, and conductor with global influence.
To support Michael in his academic pursuits, persons are encouraged to purchase tickets to Where We From or make a donation online. Tickets are priced at TT $200.00 and can be purchased at: https://chandelierproductionstt.com. All proceeds and contributions will go toward funding his doctoral studies and affirm our collective belief in the global potential of Caribbean musicianship.For more information, contact us at 868-710-9436 or 868-295-7435, email: chandelierproductions1@gmail.com, social media: @productionschandelier or visit our website at chandelierproductionstt.com.
The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network 