Personal growth through music
This upcoming New Year’s Day 2025 will mark 20 years since my father, Elie, brought out a surprise for me and my sisters, Christina and Selina: an electric keyboard. It was my first love and passion, which gave me motivation to create musical magic.
I became self-taught, learning music by ear by listening to different media and music genres and composing pieces. On that very day, I knew what I wanted to do in the future and promised to help people through my music, in the area of creative arts and charity.
Many years have passed now. We’ve grown as people and increased our knowledge both in education and abilities. From my family to Summit School’s original principal Gloria Cherney, then media teacher with experience in theatre/film, Jesse Heffring; (now director of Development at the school), I Can Dream Theatre and McGill Conservatory at an early age, I lived and learned beyond my expectations – with such pure joy and happiness leading to this point and forever more.
After writing 31 pieces, and then listening to them, I feel they show growth in the style, theme, technique and musical phrases of music. It shows both music and how I have evolved. That’s what inspired me to title my new album, Evolution, which contains my complete works in chronological order.
On October 16, 2023, I began the project and released the album on March 23, 2024 on streaming platforms and CD. The same day, I organized the launch concert at the Church of All Saints by the Lake in Dorval. I shared with audience members the background story behind each piece before performing it and had a chance to talk with them afterwards. It was a beautiful day and an achievement well-deserved.
There are some days I ask myself, “How did I get here? Is this real?” From having no voice and being recommended to stay in the closet to now, when my voice is heard and out in the world, this speaks high dynamics. Soon to be a 20-year-old promise on New Year’s Day, I’ll continue speaking for those who don’t have a voice through my compositions and various arts. I encourage you all, near and far, to create solutions to become resolutions. At the end, we have our very own evolution revolution.
You can purchase Evolution on Spotify, Amazon Music and all streaming platforms worldwide. For CD orders, contact Steven Atme at atmepianosphd@hotmail.com.
Steven Atme is a pianist and composer, gives private piano lessons and is a public speaker, enlightening on his experience growing up and living with autism.
