Meet Ewaoluwa Okanlawon: The 12 year old Saxophonist

On May 2, 2022, Ewaoluwa Okanlawon (Ewa), a 12 year old saxophonist captivated the audience at a community event in Mile 2 with her performance.

She was so good that she realized N9,000 from parents in the community. 

Ewaoula loves to sing, dance, and play scrabble, but her love for the saxophone supersedes other interests. She is currently in JSS 3 at Nowa Secondary School, Ojo, Lagos.

Amuwo News visited Ewaoluwa and her dad at their home in Mile 2, Amuwo Odofin. 

Mr. Oluwafemi Okanlawon, her manager, a civil servant, and a social volleyballer was a welcoming and proud father to see his daughter speak confidently to Amuwo News. 

How Ewaoluwa started playing the Saxophone.

Ewaoluwa fell in love with the Saxophone at the age of 9 at school after Goshen Pillars Montesorri School introduced Music classes. She was in primary 4 at the time she started learning to play.

“I was in primary 4 when they introduced music to the school and my best friend (Nehita Akwemoka) said she wanted to play the saxophone and I joined her, we both entered the music class then we tried it, I really enjoyed my first day of touching the Saxophone. 

“When I came back home I told my dad that they asked us to buy mouthpiece and reed that we are going to use to play Sax so we will not share. 

“My dad discouraged me, I was not happy but I kept on asking and didn’t relent. Finally, he agreed with the help of my Music teacher he allowed me to play Sax. He bought the mouthpiece for me and he saw that I started developing an interest in it, I told him I wanted my personal Sax, he bought it for me and also got me a private music teacher” Ewaoluwa said. 

Ewaoluwa’s first music instructor, Mr. Joshua Oleshe agreed to speak at Goshen Pillars Montesorri School staff quarters in Mile 2, Amuwo Odofin.

He described Ewaoluwa as a gifted, passionate, and talented child. The music instructor was proud to speak about a student whom he believes has an amazing future.

“I’ve been teaching music for more than 12 years and also I’m into music. I play in a band, churches so when you are a music teacher, you’re like a coach, at times you see some talents, you can easily spot that this one is born with something, there are some children you teach them to grow in music while there are some that are born with that talent. If you have an eagle eye as a music teacher, you can easily spot a talent. 

“Ewa and Nehita were two prominent children that were so passionate. The drive was so much on them that we just had to encourage them and I just knew that Ewa and Nehita will go far. Nehita along the line, immediately she left the school for secondary school, there was no follow up but Ewa’s dad listened to my plea. 

“The dad bought her a Saxophone and we started pushing. Even after laying the foundation, in school, she was playing, doing well, and wowed us during her school presentations. Her dad kept on making sure she had extra classes. 

“Ewa was staying opposite my house, at times I would wake up and they were practicing, at times I’d pass through and she was practicing, it was constant. Even during the lockdown, she was always disturbing us in the neighborhood. 

“During the lockdown, she and Nehita came to my house to practice with me. She was so passionate. Ewa is gifted, not just in the music aspect, but even academically, she was always excelling. There are some kids like that, everything they touch turns to gold, Ewa is that kind of girl. I know she will go far in Music, we must not let the fire die, and we must make sure she rises to prominence” Mr. Joshua said.

Mr. Joshua Oleshe commended Ewa’s dad for the support he has given Ewa thus far and for also yielding to his advice. 
He also recalled the pride he felt while he watched Ewa perform at concerts in the community; Amuwo Games and Amuwo Carol.

Ewaoluwa’s Achievements, Dreams, and Performances 

Ewa’s dream is to become a great saxophonist like her mentors Jerry Omole, and Beejay Sax. She also dreams of becoming a medical doctor. 

“My dream is to become a very great saxophonist like one of my mentors Jerry Omole, I attend his Saxophone training program which happens yearly, during March and April. The program is Istamp in Surulere. I want to be a great saxophonist like Jerry Omole, Beejay Sax, and the rest, I also want to become a medical doctor. 

After three years, Ewaoluwa has performed in various concerts in and outside Amuwo.