Artist of the Issue: Kwasi Oteng Adu-Gyamfi

ALBERT YUK/DEERFIELD SCROLL

Beginning his musical journey at the age of two on the piano, Kwasi Oteng Adu-Gyamfi ’26 showcases versatility in his artistic abilities through playing multiple instruments, adapting to various dance styles, and engaging in music composition. When Adu-Gyamfi first started playing the piano, he believed it “got [his] ear trained at a young age” in order to adjust to learning other instruments, such as the guitar and saxophone. In middle school, Adu-Gyamfi also played the viola, and when he picked it up again during orchestra practice, Adu-Gyamfi described the process as “a matter of muscle memory, and [having] to remember how to hold the bow and where [his] fingers were placed on each string.” Adu-Gyamfi’s musical range spans from woodwind to brass instruments, such as the clarinet and saxophone, to the strings family, which includes the viola, bass guitar, and ukulele. He is particularly passionate about jazz piano and saxophone, with his saxophone teacher, Bruce Krasin, comparing his “warm tenor sound to jazz performers like Coltrane and Sonny Stitt.” Currently, Adu-Gyamfi is actively involved in multiple musical ensembles at Deerfield, including Concert band, Jazz band, Orchestra, and two a cappella groups (Reme-Ds and Mellow-Ds). Director of Deerfield’s Music program Tom Bergeron states that Adu-Gyamfi is “a daily motivation that is driven by curiosity to harness music’s transformative power, and never driven by his own ego or the pursuit of recognition.” As one of the three leaders in CoDA, Deerfield’s student-led pop jazz and rock band, Adu-Gyamfi serves as the group organizer, writing full scores and separating them into their individual parts for students to learn. As for now, Adu-Gyamfi is working on the arrangements from La La Land, which he hopes to be performed during the fall term Koch Friday Concert. Adu-Gyamfi’s talent and musical capabilities have also been recognized by his peers. Associate Editor of Deerfield Scroll and one of CoDA’s leaders Tim Wang ’27 described his experience working with him: “I started working with [Adu-Gyamfi] in my freshman year in band class and was impressed by his improvisation skills on the sax.” He added that Adu-Gyamfi is “an extremely talented musician, composing great arrangements and playing every instrument you can imagine.” Aside from composing different parts for CoDA, Adu-Gyamfi plans to compose a piece for the Jazz band in the spring as part of his Honors Jazz project. In addition to music, Adu-Gyamfi is a part of Deerfield’s dance program. He began dancing at the age of eight and claims “to never feel nervous before performing on stage.” Adu-Gyamfi has choreographed pieces, including a trio with Yewon Kim ’28 and Features Page Editor for the Scroll Lucia Kinder ’28 last spring, and is currently co-choreographing a hip-hop piece, set to the song “Taste” by Tyga, for the fall dance showcase with Joshua-Michael Graham ’26. Adu-Gyamfi believes what sets him apart from other performers is his own approach to dance performances: “I just work my way through it,” reflecting an improvisational style that also mirrors his musical style on the saxophone. Hip-hop is a dance genre Adu-Gyamfi has a special passion for, drawing inspiration from dance crews and groups. “Jabberwocky’s iconic looks with the white masks and bucket hats,” he explained, sparked his interest in breakdancing. During a Center for Service and Global Citizenship trip to Tanzania, Adu-Gyamfi performed in an impromptu dance competition in front of 600 people. History and Social Science Teacher Conrad Pitcher described a memorable highlight: “Kwasi played to the cheers and laughs of the crowd, riffing off the movements of his foe/partner. He and this student he had just met moments ago put on a show that looked like it had been choreographed for months. The whole school was abuzz with excitement.” Whether he is perfecting the drum parts on the wide variety of songs and styles for School Meetings or showcasing his dance moves on stage, Adu-Gyamfi exhibits his musicianship and diversification through various interests.