Composers

Dickens Princivil, born on July 19, 1961, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was destined for a life steeped in music, art, and culture. Coming from a family of four children, Dickens was raised in a household where music and religion held profound importance.

His familial connection to music was evident early, as his grandfather served as a clarinetist in the prestigious National Palace brass band. This legacy inspired Dickens to begin his musical journey as a cellist at seven. Over the years, his dedication and passion for music grew, leading him to master the double bass and electric bass guitar by age fifteen.

Dickens's musical education took him beyond Haiti's borders. Under the auspices of the American Embassy, he pursued training in various fields in the United States. During these ten years, he honed his skills and expanded his musical horizons, laying the foundation for a prolific music career.

In 1989, Dickens married Eveline Grégoire and became the proud father of two children, Leica Ellen and Paul Eddy. Despite his familial responsibilities, Dickens remained deeply committed to his musical pursuits, embarking on a multifaceted career encompassing roles as a musician, singer, professor, author, composer, arranger, and conductor.

Alongside his academic pursuits in architecture, he imparted his knowledge and expertise as a cello and double bass instructor and one of the first Luthier music school graduates. For over forty years, Dickens dedicated himself to the musical section of Sainte Trinité School, where he served as a pillar of the institution's musical legacy, shaping the next generation of musicians.

Dickens's illustrious career saw him perform alongside renowned Haitian musical artists such as Ansy Dérose, Guy Durosier, Raoul Guillaume, and many others. His talents extended beyond instrumental proficiency, as he distinguished himself as a solo singer in esteemed choirs such as La Schola Cantorum, “Voice and Harmony.”

In addition to his performance endeavors, Dickens dedicated himself to music education as a music theory and singing instructor at the National School of Arts in Port-au-Prince. Despite encountering setbacks due to accidents on his left hand, he persevered, devoting himself to composition and mentoring young musicians.

In 2016, Dickens took the helm of his philharmonic orchestra, Melodick, comprising fifty musicians dedicated to showcasing his diverse musical repertoire with 20 varied music concert series. He celebrated his 50-year career and the 50th anniversary of the orchestra in several concerts with many of his pieces, such as Transition, Joyeux Noël, Meditation for flute and chamber orchestra, and Une Voix se tait, a tribute to the soprano Nicole Saint-Victor, who died in 2023. The philharmonic orchestra of Sainte Trinité interpreted these pieces. 

Beyond his musical endeavors, Dickens Princivil's artistic vision extended to photography and architecture. As the founder and director-general of the Musiphotart Cultural Center, he championed the intersection of music and visual arts, fostering cultural exchange and creativity within Haiti's artistic community.

His unwavering commitment to the arts earned him recognition as a cultural ambassador and goodwill ambassador of Port-au-Prince, affirming his enduring impact on Haiti's cultural landscape.