Aina Olonade

Aina Olonade began his musical journey as a choirboy at All Saints Anglican Church in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He would sneak out of the children’s church to watch the organist at his home church play. He told his parent about his love for music, and they enrolled him at the Premier Basic Music School in Abeokuta, under the tutelage of Mr. Lekan Taiwo. Aina was admitted after a conscientious audition into the Musical Society of Nigeria Diploma School in 2008, where he studied with Ms. Maria Aseeva, a world renowned Russian pianist. He graduated in 2010 with a diploma in Music Performance. He later taught at the Musical Society of Nigeria Basic School, giving instruction to students preparing for the graded theory and practical examination. Aina has performed at various state functions in Nigeria, one is in honor of the former Secretary General of United Nations, Kofi Annan. Aina moved into United States in 2013 after being admitted into University of Central Missouri to continue his piano studies, he began studying with Dr. Mia Hynes at the school, graduating in May of 2016 with a Bachelor of Music emphasizing on piano performance. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Texas, El Paso studying under Dr. Dena Kay Jones and teaching class piano to music majors. Aina also is a church organist for the Western Hills United Methodist Church of El Paso, Texas. He enjoys playing piano duets with friends and collaborating with other musicians and teaching music theory. Aina aspires to become a piano instructor and performer.