Gabriella hooks her fans at Goethe

Singer-songwriter, accordion and pianist Gabriella Hooks, on Wednesday, thrilled music fans that converged at Goethe Institute, Kiyovu to watch her live performance.

Friday, December 20, 2013
Gabriella Hooks takes to the stage. Courtesy.

Singer-songwriter, accordion and pianist Gabriella Hooks, on Wednesday, thrilled music fans that converged at Goethe Institute, Kiyovu to watch her live performance. The young Canadian musician received a standing ovation after her performance as her fans rushed to congratulate her with hugs and kisses after putting up arguably one of the greatest musical shows held at the institute.The one hour show saw her sing a dozen songs that included Miles, Save the World, Barrels and Bears, Fields of Gold, Don’t Put and Gone among others."Gabriella is not just a musician but a voice of gold,” said Dr. Peter Stepan, the Director of Goethe Institute, Rwanda and host to the concert."She sings from her heart and when you watch her perform, you feel your emotional heartstrings tagging along,” added Paul Kasuve, one of the revellers.What was even more discernible was her propensity to leave her fans in stitches each time she performed a song. She would send them into rapturous and prolonged laughter with her infectious smile coupled with jokes she cracked anytime she completed singing song after the other.Her sparkling voice reverberated through the hall, despite playing without a microphone. "It felt great performing for the first time on a Rwanda stage. I’m pretty overwhelmed by the reception I got here and I feel great,” she said after the performance. Gabriella said she started singing when she was only seven years old and her burning passion for music has never been extinguished. Although she came to Rwanda for the first time six years ago, this was the first time she was performing in the country.Her first album called "Build a Storm” traces her bohemian journey with radiant voice brushed through with brass, piano and accordion pop arrangement.