Music Runs Deep in the Kanneh-Mason Family

The Kanneh-Mason siblings, a group of seven talented individuals all under 30, have taken the classical music world by storm. Growing up in a household buzzing with a variety of activities from sports to arts, it was the melody of music that ultimately captured their hearts.

Although their parents, Kadiatu (Kadie) Kanneh and Stuart Mason, experienced only basic music education during their schooling, they recognized the exceptional musical gifts of their children and made nurturing these talents a top priority.

"We were upfront with them," Kadie explained. "If they wanted to pursue music professionally, they needed to commit fully, as success demands dedication and hard work."

A Journey of Dedication

The musical journey began for Isata, the eldest at 29, when she took up the piano at age six. Her younger siblings followed suit; Braimah, 28, chose the violin, while Sheku, 26, was drawn to the cello.

"I opted for the cello partly because I wanted something larger than Braimah's violin," Sheku quipped, playfully adding, "It's also an objectively superior instrument in my view."

Braimah countered, "The violin's repertoire is more extensive!"

The siblings honed their skills rigorously, practicing daily while attending public schools in Nottingham. The Royal Academy of Music in London, a prestigious institution, accepted all of them into their junior program, which involved a weekly two-hour commute each way.

Every spare penny from their parents went into funding music education and buying instruments, sometimes even threatening their financial stability.

Within their home, the siblings created their own music school, hosting "Sunday Concerts" where each would perform a piece and provide feedback to one another.

Isata noted, "Getting comfortable with performance pressure was crucial for us, as nerves can easily undermine confidence."

The nurturing and musically rich environment they were raised in played a significant role in their success, explained Jeneba, 23.

"Our supportive, musical family setup naturally led us to believe in our potential," she shared.

Achievements and Future Paths

Kadie emphasized the children dictated their career paths themselves, with a focus not on fame or wealth, but on classical music excellence. This drive led them to "Britain's Got Talent" in 2015, insisting on showcasing classical, not pop music.

"Their ambition has always been to excel in their chosen field of classical music," Kadie mentioned.

Their talent has not gone unnoticed, with Sheku earning a major music award and performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.

Sheku also made history as the first cellist to break into the top 10 on the UK album charts, now drawing in vast audiences as a solo artist.

Globally acclaimed, the Kanneh-Masons have played around the world and produced albums topping the charts, receiving numerous prestigious awards. They have performed individually and together at venues like Carnegie Hall in New York.

"Our closeness enhances our communication during performances," Jeneba noted, emphasizing their wordless, rapid exchanges as a result of their tight-knit family.

Despite their close bond, they consciously avoid competition when it comes to music.

"Our instruments are extensions of ourselves," Jeneba said, "and criticizing each other's music would feel like a personal attack."

While they often perform collectively, some siblings like Konya are exploring other interests, such as writing, while Aminata considered acting before recommitting to music.

Currently, four of them continue to professionally pursue music, with Sheku slated to be a featured artist at the New York Philharmonic.

Though they debuted as a unified family act, each sibling is now discovering their unique voice and carving individual identities, shaped by their experiences and differing ages and instruments.

"As we grow, our confidence and clarity in our individual aspirations naturally increase," Isata reflected.