On Sunday, August 24, the Confucius Institute at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, came alive with the staging of Unstoppable, a fund-raising showcase of the 2025 singing summer intensive performers from singer Tessanne Chin’s Voice Box ensemble.
Hosted by the Tessanne Chin Foundation, the event featured children ages six to 18 years old, who danced and sang along to some Jamaican and international hit songs.
A medley of Tony Rebel’s Sweet Jamaica and Eric Donaldson’s 1978 Festival Song contest winner Land of My Birth was impressively presented while moving through tight choreography.
Their interpretation of Believer by Imagine Dragons, Something Inside (So Strong), a 1987 anti-apartheid song by Labi Siffre, Justin Timberlake’s chart-topper Can’t Stop the Feeling, Danish duo Junior Senior’s 2002 hit
Move Your Feet, and Sia’s Unstoppable were also well-received.
Miss Jamaica World 2005 and art enthusiast Terri-Karelle Johnson was among the members of the audience who enjoyed the production.
“I don’t think that there’s a word that can adequately describe what we just experienced. To create a space for youngsters to discover their craft, to have their craft. I’ve seen children starting out who were not confident and then to see their personalities and how bright and beautiful they are, it’s clear that Jamaica isn’t lacking in talent. We just need more spaces like this. I was a 10 out of 10,” Johnson told the Jamaica Observer shortly after the production, which featured 48 cast members, came to an end.
Liane Williams, choreographer (dance, instruction and movement), said the children had about nine days of practice.
“The children really stepped up to the plate. From when they started the first day; they were so keen. They practised even when it was a little challenging, and they had nine days to learn the songs and practise the movements while singing. My heart is so full and I’m so proud of them,” said Williams.
“Absolutely amazing,” said parent Natalie Fagan, whose 13-year-old daughter Raine is a part of the production. “It always blows me away when I sit and watch the young talent. I enjoyed it.”
Coleen Lewis, who decided to check out the production after dropping off two friends at the event, said she too was impressed by the performances of the children.
“What I enjoyed most was their enthusiasm. All of the young people, from the smallest to the oldest. and I was truly impressed by that,” said Lewis.
For organiser Tessanne Chin, the objective was to highlight that children can work towards something incredible.
“The overall aim was to show that with a clear goal and vision, hard work and dedication, that children ages 6-18, can work towards something incredible and that they did. And it is also our aim to continue to provide in the summer intensive, safe, creative, supportive and transformative space for children who love the arts, to continue training and just hone their craft, if it’s just for two short weeks,” Chin told the Observer.
“I’m feeling incredibly proud, so just blown away by how these children just rose to this occasion. If you saw them, how focused they are, how hard they trained, how dedicated they were, how much it meant to them. It gives you a different appreciation and understanding about what they were able to achieve. And, of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible teachers, who were instrumental in making this amazing,” said Chin.
She also shared that the assistance of corporate partners including Lasco, Tastee, Digicel Foundation, and GraceKennedy helped in bringing the production to life.
Voice Box’s Christmas production is scheduled for December 6 and 7 at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.
