Hameed

Biography

Hameed Shaqq, known as "The Pan Piper of Toronto", is a name synonymous with Steel Pan music excellence and activism. Shaqq hails originally from Arima in Trinidad, where he played and learned to develop love and respect for the Steel Pan Instrument. He first started playing Steel pan with Arima All Stars; The first steelband to welcome and serenade Haile Selassie, historical visit to Trinidad and Tobago in 1966. Shaqq  is an original member of the Pan Pipers Steelband of Arima, however, he went on to play with  a few of the largestTrinidad Steelband orchestras, as Shell Invaders, Coco Cola Silver Stars and Solo Harmonites, where he was greatly influenced and trained by some of Trinidad's Virtuosos of Steel pan music  arrangements  and compositions including Earl Rodney, Junior Puchete, Birdie Manette, George "Gorgie"James, Perry Martin and others.

 In Canada, primarily, Shaqq is a solo performer, playing at private and public and coporate functions, Community centers, bookstores, libraries and schools. Hameed has  expanded his awesome talent onto the Canadian music scene as an artiste, musician and educator. Apart from persuing Masters studies in Socio-cultural Anthropology at the York University and University of Toronto, he worked as a Steelpan Music with the Toronto District School Board for more than a decade. Also, Hameed Shaqq is still an accredited Volunteer and Community Partner with the Ontario Government Ministry of Youth and Children services including the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre (R.M.Y.C) and other correctional facillites through Ontario.  Shaqq  volunteers with Toronto's Breakfast Club and the Second-Chance Scholarship Award Foundation and other Senior Citizens Community groups.  In 2003 Hameed Shaqq, recieved an 5 year Volunteer award recommended by Community organization Rexdale Microskills for comuniity involvement and social intergration with youths. In 2006 Hamiliton Wenthwort Detention Centre Volunteer Appriciation Award and even in 2015  r4econgnize by the Toronto Transit Corporation and other certified awarded certificates.

The universal appeal of Shaqq's Steelpan music is evident in the wide variety of his clients and events which includes, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games General Meeting in Canada, the NBA, where he performed with Pan Fantasy Steelband on the American and Canadian anthems at a Toronto Raptor's Basketball Game. TIFF 2012 performing at the Royal York Hotel, Loblaw's Super Store; Maple Leaf Gardens, Leon's Furniture Store Customer appreciation events, First annual Eglinton Jazz Festival, other events included The Beaches Jazz festival, Ontario Place, Harbourfront Entertainment Centre, Canadian National Exhibition {CNE}, University of Toronto {Hart House} Rexdale Microskills, Ontario Early Childhood Centres, North York Hospital Foundation, Ministry of Youths and Children Services (Accredited Volunteer) RMYC , Toronto General Hospital, Humber Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Nelson Mandela Park Public School, Regal Road Public School, Dunrankin Public School {Malton Peel Board of Education}  Many other venues such as the Old Mill Inn and Spa, Delta Chelsea Hotel, Michealangelo's Banquet Hall, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sheraton Hotel, Liberty Grand, The Real Jerk Caribbean Resturant has feature the Panpiper in many Dinnners  and other Cultural Events such as Telling Tales Festival,Culture and Live Arts in the Parks.

In Canada Shaqq has performed with several phenomenal Artiste including the Opheus Chior of Toronto under the directorship of Robert Cooper, Dougie Richardson saxophonist, Mark Mosca Steelpan Specialist, Archie Alleyene internationally acclaimed jazz drummer, Dwyane Morgan, Clifton Joseph, Dr Afua Cooper, Dr Salah Wilson, Kingsley Ettienne organist , composer, arranger, vocalist Liberty Silver, Sharron McLeod Jazz Vocalist,  Jay Douglas, Bernie Pitters , famed Sudanese artiste WaleedAbdul Hameed, Chicago born flutist and composer Westley "Jeribu" Carson, Brent and Liam Titcomb Canadian folk singer / composer/guitarist, and well known  kevin Cooke, six string bassist from Toronto. Also performed with Cheryl Findlay, Ayanna Lee-Rivears, Caribbean Folke Performers, Martin and Keith Pascall and others.

 Hameed Shaqq is no stranger to the media and has made appreances on television and appearences, in Movies such as Down Came a Blackbird starring Raul Julia and Venesa Redgrave, Knights of South Bronx with Ted Danson, Bleechers Bums with Mike Myers. TV programmes such as Music Mondays on YTV-the Zone with Carlos, Toronto's Breakfast TV, Much Music on City TV, the Garden Show on the New VR (Barrie), Fairchild TV{Asian network} Christine Crushing Cooking Show {Food Network} Canada AM {CTV} TVO, CBC Radio One; Metro mornings with Andy Sheppard, Go with Brent Bumbury. Gobal Village broadcast in 110 countries around the world. CKLN 88.1 FM with Andy Barrie, FM 93.5 with Dr Jay's Soca Theraphy, York University's Radio announcer, William Doyle Marshall "My Data Bag" on FM 105.5 and others Medias also hosted the Panpiper of Toronto. As a member of Ontario Steelpan Association All-Stars, Shaqq was present for Toronto's Caribana presentation at the Chinese International New Year Celebrations both in 2004 and 2005 in Hong Kong, China. 

Planet Pan is an original musical expression for his Series of musical recording from Volume 1 in 1997 and continuing. Volume II "Pan for the People" a live performance recorded by CBC Radio One, at the Toronto District School Board Honoring of Nelson Mandela by re-naming Park Public School in his name. Planet Pan vol;3 features reggae panjazz concept. Shaqq academic achievements  apart from attending George Brown and University of Toronto have obtained a B.A Hon in Anthropoly at York University and is still in pursuit of his Masters Degree in Anthropology.

I am always seeking any position that involves teaching and motivating young people towards academic success and self-development. I will offer my experience as a Steelpan musician and professional performer as well as my historical background in the steelpan performing arts to youths within the justice system and correctional facilities. I am an individual who enjoys the challenge of creating a productive and positive  entertaining environment especially for the re-integration of young offenders. I use the Steelpan instrument to create  interactions and as a learning experience by encouraging communications through music. During the past several years, I have been instructing students towards their higher education through the Second-chance Scholarship Award reintegration project. Thank you in advance for reviewing the enclose resume.  I would be happy to further discuss my experience and qualfications with you.