CHIDIMMA BENSON

Chidimma Benson received her early musical training as a chorister and a student of Federal Government Girls’ College Abuloma, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from her musical iconic father who was then her Music teacher and the choir director of the College. In 1999, she graduated with a first-class degree in Music and Education from the then Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt, now Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, and was awarded the best graduating student of the Department of Music. Upon graduation, she utilized her musical and educational skills for freelance music teaching, composition and practices in educational and religious institutions.

In 2014, Chidimma obtained a master’s degree in Theatre and Film Studies, majoring in Theatre-in-Education, from the University of Port Harcourt. Her new academic level increased her interest for musical dramatic works. This interest was first ignited in her heart at a very young age after she watched “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, a musical that has so strongly influenced her life. One of such influences was, sparking a desire in her to become a musical composer and a playwright so that she could single-handedly be creating her own musicals. Her dream of becoming a musical playwright began to experience growth as she swung into creating music-dramas on different themes after obtaining her master’s degree. Refusing to rest on her laurels, in the same 2014, Chidimma proceeded to the same University of Port Harcourt for a Ph.D. in Theatre-in-Education. She obtained it in 2017. Dr. Chidimma has since then been a musical theatre enthusiast, focusing chiefly on musical dramatic fictions. With determination, faith, patience, perseverance, and the continual guidance of the Spirit of Christ, her dream of becoming a librettist became a reality with the publishing of Queen Esther’s Sacrifice in December, 2021. She describes her beginning as an insignificant mustard seed of musical interest planted in her heart through musical exposure. She watered the seed and it sprouted to a shrub of musical likeness. She went on to manure this shrub and it grew to a tree of musical dramatic passion. In January, 2022, she published another musical play titled, Virtue⁶ Versus Vices. In total, she has published six musical plays. She has continued and will continue to write and publish.