Saquona Astwood, a musician originally from the Turks and Caicos Islands, completed her studies at the Leeds Conservatoire in the United Kingdom in September 2026. While earning her degree in music production, the 29-year-old mother developed a new platform called Saquona Creates to inspire the next generation through educational resources.
Astwood moved from the islands to study in Leeds, where she balanced her academic workload with motherhood. She launched Saquona Creates to improve accessibility in music education, authoring children’s books like "My First Music Studio: ABCs of Music Production" and "My First Turks and Caicos Adventure." These books aim to introduce technical concepts while providing cultural representation for young readers. "I want children, especially young girls, to see music production as something they can explore," she stated. Her passion began during a third-year audio documentary project, which introduced her to new storytelling methods while she navigated the challenges of living abroad.
Looking ahead, Astwood plans to continue expanding her career and the resources available through her platform. She hopes to see her educational books adopted by schools and learning environments, including those within her home territory. For her, graduation marks the beginning of her journey rather than the end of her academic pursuits.