The one lesson I’ve learned from life
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason
SHEKU KANNEH-MASON MBE, 23, is a British cellist, who rose to fame after winning the 2016 BBC Young Musician award — the first black musician to do so — and performing at Harry and Meghan’s wedding. He lives in London.
DON’T LET DIABETES HOLD YOU BACK
I WAS six when I started playing the cello — my six siblings and I all took up instruments at a young age. Music practice can be isolating, so it was comforting having other people practising in the next room.
I would go to music courses where there were no other black people apart from my siblings. Having them there made me feel less alone and meant that I was never fazed by performing, even after being diagnosed with type one diabetes at 12.
My mum had noticed that I’d become very pale and thin. I’d been drinking loads of water and going to the toilet a lot. the doctor told us that if we’d waited a couple more days, I could have gone into a coma. It was very scary.
I had to learn how to inject myself with insulin and prick my finger to check my blood sugar — I’d always do my right hand, so it wouldn’t impact my playing, as I use my left to fret the strings.
At first, I worried diabetes would stop me doing what I wanted in life — my main concern being whether I’d still be able to play football. thankfully, I’ve never felt it’s held me back.
As a performer, one of the hardest things has been managing the risk of going into hypo — when your blood sugar gets very low, and you become uncoordinated and confused. It has happened a couple of times in lessons.
Before big events I focus on what I can control. You can control how well you rehearse but you can’t control how you’ll feel on the day. When I played at Harry and Meghan’s wedding, I wasn’t nervous as I was comfortable with the repertoire and didn’t think about the audience.
I’ve learned that you never know what can happen in life. But you can surround yourself with people you trust; family and friends. they make all the difference.
■ SHEKU and Isata Kanneh-Mason’s album Muse is out now on Decca Classics. Sheku performs with the London Symphony Orchestra this Wednesday at the Royal Festival Hall, London. See tickets.lpo.org.uk/