?Jean-Marc Tardieu has made his breakthrough. His journey, though filled with ups and downs, has led to an amazing outcome, one that he'll never forget or stop thanking God for. On November 7, the St Dominic's Pastoral Centre Auditorium was filled with the sweetness of sound, the eloquence of which engaged the throng that had gathered to show support for the young man who'd fought and defeated all odds. In June, a Guardian feature highlighted Tardieu's dream to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and his ambition to become a professional vocalist. The feature also recounted the setbacks Tardieu faced, the hardest being the death of his father, the breadwinner of his family, in 2005.
Despite all that he'd gone through, the 22-year-old used his inner strength to persevere and, together with the people who'd supported him, Jean-Marc Tardieu has made his dream reality. In January, 2010, he'll begin his four-year educational pursuit at the internationally acclaimed music school, thanks to some great support from the local business community and various fund-raising initiatives. Before he leaves though, the young man felt the need to express his gratitude, putting on a show that would uplift and inspire others to fight for their dreams, too.
The show, which featured artistes Eddie Cumberbatch, Wendy Sheppard, Raymond Edwards, Anneisha Skerritt and The Love Movement choir–of which Tardieu has been a part for the past 17 years–was warmly received by the sold-out auditorium filled with friends and well-wishers. The music, a melodic repertoire of songs, specially chosen to suit the occasion, drew thunderous applause. The first half of the concert seemed aimed at invoking an appreciation for God with songs like Yes God Is Real and Because We Believe creating a sense of triumph over the obstacles faced in life.
Wendy Sheppard teamed up with Tardieu just before the 20-minute intermission, with a song entitled The Climb, a track symbolic of Tardieu's journey thus far and his imminent success. In the second half, the mood reflected the season. O Holy Night, Christmas Makes Me Cry, The Newborn King and other beautiful songs transcended the ordinary. In the end, many left with a sense of joy, pride and possibly a new-found zeal to climb despite the odds. Tardieu has done it, and he's certainly proven that with determination comes success. Here's to the Diego Martin dreamer who has made his fantasy become reality.
