Victor Dogah
Victor “Blue” Dogah of Ghana was recently named the first recipient of a full scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music through the newly instituted Africa Scholars Program. The award, a four-year scholarship covering full tuition and room and board, is the college’s first specifically targeted towards African musicians who lack the financial means to study at Berklee.
Dogah, a traditional Ewe drummer, was chosen from among more than 65 musicians who auditioned in Accra, Ghana and Durban, South Africa.
“I want to share and expand my passion and love for music through the educational means that Berklee can provide for me,” he said. “Learning, teaching and understanding the world of music resides in my heart and I know that Berklee will open up a limitless love for music.”
Already considered a master in the Ewe tradition, Dogah has a reputation in Accra as an expert in teaching different musical dialects. He is currently studying music theory in preparation to begin attending Berklee in the summer of 2009.
“Victor is a unique talent and a natural born musician who will have an immediate impact on Berklee’s rich musical diversity and enhance the Berklee experience for our entire community,” said Damien Bracken, Berklee’s director of admissions. “His focus and determination to absorb everything that Berklee can provide to him made this a compelling choice.”
Berklee awarded scholarships valued at $1.4 million to a total of 26 musicians who auditioned in Africa, including six full-tuition scholarships to attend programs. Albino Mbie of Mozambique and Victor Dey of Ghana were awarded full-tuition scholarships to attend Berklee full-time. Irvine Mukwere of Zimbabwe, N’gaza Kouame Marc-Arnaud of Cote d’Ivoire, Enoch Kujem Abassey of Ghana and Jaydine Baron of South Africa were awarded full-tuition scholarships to attend Berklee’s Five-Week Summer Performance Program.
