About Me
In June 2023, my husband Jerry, my biggest supporter, challenged me with a simple yet profound question: “Why aren’t you composing your own music?” It was as if he saw something in me that I hadn’t yet realized myself. That very evening, as I reflected on his question, a melody and harmony began playing in my mind. It was a moment of revelation, a true gift. I quickly recorded the music on my iPhone and later transcribed it by hand into musical notation.
For this very first composition, my sister Gertrud spontaneously wrote lyrics, believing the melody perfectly captured my essence. She called it Dance with Me, intuitively expressing the emotions I experience when creating music. Since that moment, she has continued to write the lyrics for my pieces, adding a deeply personal layer to my work.
Inspired by the love and encouragement of those closest to me, I composed a total of 15 pieces last year, which now form my first collection: NOSTALGIA MOSTARA ©
I familiarized myself with Musescore to digitize my music, and I am proud to present my first nine digital scores. The remaining six are currently being prepared for publication.
Thanks to the constant encouragement and unwavering support of my piano coach, Ruth Djatmiko, I had the opportunity to participate in the EPTA Congress 2024. Ruth has since become a dear friend. From her, I am learning the secrets of the piano—its mesmerizing tones, the subtlety of the perfect touch, and the art of listening to the sound within silence. Every lesson with Ruth feels like a musical journey.
I am also deeply grateful to my piano coach in Suriname, Daniël Nirahoe. During my stay with my father in Paramaribo, we worked together almost daily. Like Ruth, Daniël generously played through my music countless times, offering insights and guidance to enhance and perfect my compositions.
A special thanks goes out to my father Paul, and my brother Jörgen, who both live in Suriname. Being able to work on my music in their presence, in our childhood home, felt like an extraordinary privilege. One evening, as my father and I were playing music and he was also watching some sports. Dad on his guitar and I at the piano. I composed a piece dedicated to him.
Inspired by the birdsong that fills the air every morning in Suriname, I also wrote a composition in memory of my late mother.
Last but not least, my heartfelt gratitude goes to Rine, my Neighbour and friend in Suriname, who has known me since my youth. She wrote these beautiful words about me: “Margit, you are like music, a gift from heaven, an eternal joy, a remedy for melancholy. Always remain yourself.”
Margit Ostara Straub-Lieuw Kie Song, November 2024
