Berklee’s African beat goes on with two students from Ghana

Matt Jenson has developed something of an international reputation for teaching a class on Bob Marley at the Berklee College of Music. So when Jenson was invited by Rita Marley, the reggae legend’s widow, to speak at the Africa Unite Symposium in 2006 in Ghana, Jenson took the opportunity to seek scholarships for students from Ghana to Berklee’s five-week summer programs.

After auditioning about 25 students, Jenson picked four. Victor Dey and Johanna Denaka participated last summer. This year, Josephine Paemka, 25, a vocalist, and Senam Ayiku, 27, a drummer, were chosen.

“Senam obviously had great rhythmic feel,” Jenson said. “I had him play a few different styles and he had a great sound and feel.”

Ayiku found out about the auditions through a flier, and even though he arrived to the auditions late, he still managed to impress Jenson. “I was happy with myself and my performance,” Ayiku said about his audition.

After singing a variety of songs, Paemka was not satisfied with hers. “I lost my feel of music, I wasn’t being natural. I just didn’t like it,” she said.

Even so, Jenson was impressed. He noticed Paemka could easily pick up different styles.

During their stay at Berklee, which ended Friday, Paemka and Ayiku took several classes, mainly focusing on jazz, and played a few gigs.

Both said the transition to Berklee has not been too difficult, but Ayiku had to overcome the challenge of learning how to read music.

Paemka and Ayiku were so impressed with Berklee they have applied for scholarships to become full-time students in January.

This summer marks the end of the scholarships generated from Jenson’s trip to Ghana, but he feels confident more scholarship opportunities will be available for international students.