MONROVIA — The Liberian National Academy of Music (LINAM) has graduated more than 75 students who completed its Musical Vacation School, marking what officials described as a significant milestone in the development of music education in Liberia.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh — [email protected]
The students were awarded certificates during the closing ceremony held Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Rose Garden Plaza on Crown Hill, following weeks of training in various areas of music.
The program brought together students, parents, instructors, LINAM officials and members of the musical community.
Serving as keynote speaker at the ceremony, Dr. Annika Hillers, Country Director of the Wild Chimpanze Foundation, praised parents for supporting their children’s participation in the program.
“Some of you parents are surprised to see what you are seeing here today because some of your children knew nothing about the instruments that they are playing today and so you can be proud of what you are seeing here today, please join me clap for the children because they are doing very well,” Madam Hillers said.
She added: “Also, thanks to the Liberian National Academy of Music that you have this wonderful program here today. Thanks to all of the musical teachers to make the children do what they are doing here today.”
According to Hillers, she became involved with the musical group after joining the choir and has since considered its members as family.
“Just a year ago, I knew nothing about the academy but I joined the choir and I became part of the family, it is so nice,” she said. A native of Germany, Hillers said music has been an important part of her country’s cultural tradition and has the ability to unite people from different backgrounds.
“Some of the instruments that I brought from Germany just few weeks ago they are here today and the children are playing with them and it makes me proud as well because I’m coming from a country where music is a very long tradition,” she said.
Madam Hillers continues: “It makes me so happy to see that music can bring all of us together. We are from different backgrounds, we have different ages, but you see the music can bring us together and it can help us to forget about some of the worries we have.”
She also encouraged parents to continue enrolling their children in LINAM’s vacation school program, saying music education helps build confidence among young people.
“I want to encourage the children and the parents to continue this program. Because some of the children performing today it gives them confidence. It is not easy for all of us. So, let make it easy for the children,” she said.
Madam Hillers furthered: “There are so many things happening on the internet that are not good for children and so music is something I think that can really help the children to be stable, to be strong. Some may not do music as their career but it can make them strong to do what they want to do in their lives.”
LINAM Leadership Applauds Parents, Students
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Director of the Liberian National Academy of Music, Sir Wilmot K. Bobbroh III, expressed appreciation to Hillers, LINAM staff, executive members, the choir, parents and sponsors for supporting the program.
“On behalf of the Advisory Baord, our Partner (YMCA), and the entire Academy, I want to express our sincere thanks and Congratulations to our Vacation Students, Beginner Level and Full time Students for a Job well done,” Mr. Bobbroh said.
He added: “Our gratitude is also extended to the Parents, Gurdians and Sponsors of these Students. Working with and Awarding over 75 Music Students has been a Historic Moment for our Country including the Music and Arts Sector. Our Goal is making Liberia a Music Literate Area.”
Building Liberia’s Music Sector
The Liberia National Academy of Music’s programs include instrumental training, vocal training, music theory, artistic development and the development of musical choirs.
The academy also seeks to make music education accessible to young people while preserving and promoting Liberia’s musical and cultural heritage. In February 2025, the Liberia YMCA and LINAM launched a music academy at the YMCA headquarters in Monrovia through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The initiative was designed to provide young people, including those from low-income backgrounds, with access to structured music education.
LINAM’s broader objective is to help address the limited availability of formal music education in Liberia by equipping young people with skills that could prepare them for careers as performers, music teachers, choir directors, instrumentalists, composers and other arts professionals.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of Liberia’s rich musical tradition, where opportunities for systematic and professional music training have historically remained limited.
The graduation of more than 75 students is therefore being viewed by organizers as a step toward strengthening Liberia’s music and arts sector and encouraging a new generation of young musicians.
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