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Franklyn Johnson-Williams, popularly known as Bonnie is one of Sierra Leone's finest and youngest Music Educators. He is a multi-instrumentalist and also a versatile musician. His formal music education commenced in 1998 when he graduated as a Performing Arts teacher from the Milton Margai College of Education in Sierra Leone.
In 2007, he was awarded a scholarship by the Principal's Trust of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland. He later earned his Masters Degree In Music Education with merit. During his studies in the United Kingdom, Bonnie seized every opportunity to develop and enhance his music career.
Also a past student of the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), he was the first student to attempt the Jazz Trumpet examination and his success earned him an invitation to be part of a DVD Documentary for Jazz Education conducted by the ABRSM. Over the years, he has also prepared and entered students for the ABRSM theory and practical examinations.
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| He received brass instruments training at The Kneller Hall Military School of Music in London after which he had formal instructions from Britain's top brass trumpeters:
John Wallace: Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, James Watson: Head of Brass & Artistic Director at The Royal Academy of Music in London, Mark O'Keeffe: Principal Trumpeter of The Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Brian Allen: Head of Brass, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. The input of these ambassadors of the classical trumpet repertoire have in no doubt made a positive impact in his music career.
Bonnie has commissioned and worked with various music ensembles ranging from brass quintets, school bands, pop bands and choral groups. He has organized school band competitions, commissioned pieces for school bands and solo trumpet competitions. As a multi-talented instrumentalist, his approach to music education leaves a lasting impression in the lives of his students.
He is also an excellent keyboard player - playing all keyboard instruments in traditional, jazz, classical and contemporary styles. He has a broad knowledge of repertoire (music) for any school setting and his craft of arranging, instrumentation and composition is effective and perceptive. He is a charismatic and experienced facilitator, particularly in working with young people. He reads a group sensitively and responds to percieved needs with accuracy and economy. He is an inspiration to many youngsters and he has a gift of making music fun and simple for learners.
He is fondly referred to as "The Maestro", a valuable asset in the field of Music Education.
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