MY BERKLEE JOY!

Teenager Joy Anthony Muthurajah is following in the footsteps of guitar legends after strumming his way into one of the world's most prestigious musical institutions.

The 17-year-old Bahrain-born musician will take up a place at the celebrated US Berklee College of Music in Boston after completing two-and-a-half years at its sister centre in Malaysia.

Known to his friends as Anthony, the guitar-loving musician, said: "I am ecstatic. I still can't believe I have made it. It's a dream come true."

Former students include:

Joe Satriani - a multi-instrumentalist, known primarily for his work as an instrumental rock guitarist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations

Steve Vai - a rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer and actor who has worked with Frank Zappa and recorded and toured with David Lee Roth and Whitesnake

John Petrucci - a guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater

John Mayer - a multi-Grammy Award winner who has collaborated with blues stars B. B. King, Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton

Anthony, from Segaiya, whose parents come from Sri Lanka, originally planned on becoming a automobile engineer but his passion for music drove him forward to pursue a six-month diploma in audio media in Chennai, India, after he completed studying at the Indian School of Bahrain.

After applying for a place at Berklee he was invited to an audition in Malaysia and out of a shortlisted 40 applicants from around the globe he was one of only two musicians to be selected.

A record number of talented musicians have applied to attend Berklee College of Music this year and Anthony is one of a select few to be offered a place.

It normally costs $200,000 for the four-year course and as college executives were so impressed with his potential they have allowed him to study at the International College of Music in Kuala Lumpur, an affiliated centre, for half the course to help cut the overall cost and have invited him to a special audition for a scholarship to cover the final two years of fees before he moves to the US. His family will help fund his golden opportunity.

Anthony created a large fan base in Bahrain when he performed during a gathering of the Elham art society in the Albareh Cafe in Adliya last October after introducing a unique style of rhythmic tapping on acoustic guitar.

He said: "As soon as I got my own acoustic guitar I practiced it non-stop for 10 days until I had mastered it."

Anthony's musical journey, however, was not such an instant infatuation; it began at the age of 12 when he started playing drums in church. This developed into a keen interest in various musical instruments.

He said: "When I first picked up a guitar it felt like the best way to express myself. The first song I ever played was a devotional song entitled 'God is Good' by Don Moen.

"I then started playing the electric guitar more seriously and had my first concert with a church band at the Al Raja School in Manama."

He also helped set up a school band with friends called Adamant Eve, composed seven original songs and competition success followed.

Anthony's brother Jonathan, 22, a sales supervisor at Citibank in Bahrain, and his sister, Shalini A Pillai, 26, who recently married and moved to Paris, were always confident Anthony would find success through his music. Shalini explained: "Even when he was a toddler, he would always be strumming on flat surfaces.

"Although our father was not very supportive at the start as he was more concerned about Anthony's low grades in school, he is extremely proud of him today... and so are we all!"

After leaving school Anthony made his mark on the local music scene under the name of the J.A.M Project - using his initials for inspiration. He said: "I haven't become stuck on one sort of style or genre - I have been inspired by a whole range of guitar playing from jazz, rock to acoustic and heavy metal.

"My dream is to become a respected music artist and write songs about my faith as well as the emotional side of life."

His musical prowess has already been acknowledged in the world of movies. He recorded a sound track for the award-winning short film The Waiting, directed by Vijesh Rajan, which won the best film entry during the Cinergy Short Film Festival in Bahrain.

Anthony has also recorded a music video for his self-penned song 'Figment of My Imagination' and hopes to sign up for an independent record label.

Anthony starts his musical adventure in July.

To check out his music visit https://www.myspace.com/thejamprojecttm