In 2006, Bermudian Desta Zion Wilson set off for the UK to study at a renowned music academy, where he gained a diploma in guitar and high diploma in vocals. Lifestyle's Nancy Acton caught up with him when he came home for Christmas, and heard how he now has his sights set on success in London.

Desta Zion Wilson started performing at age 17 not surprising really because as a member of the well-known Caisey family, entertaining was in his genes. But he also knew that if he was to develop his talents he would have to leave Bermuda, where opportunities for musicians and singers are limited, and head overseas.

So in 2006 he enrolled in the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, England, intending to study guitar because, as a singer, he reasoned this would be the best instrument for self-accompaniment in terms of getting gigs. The school, however, had other ideas.

"It is one of Europe's leading schools for rock and pop, but I had no idea what to expect, and the first year was a culture shock," said Desta, who descends from a long line of talented and well-known musicians, singers, dancers and entertainers, some of whom have also made their mark abroad. They include his grandmother, June Caisey, mother Phiemma Wilson, Dennis Moniz, Albert and Keith Caisey, Pinky Steede, and Mitchell (Live Wires) Trott.

"I had never played an electric guitar before, and I was terrified. I am not a lead player, but a rhythm guitarist who used the instrument to accompany my voice, but it was good for me to be in a different place. Also, in Bermuda I was listening to a lot of R&B and reggae-based music.

"I remember the first time in a class when we had to learn the punk song, 'All The Small Things' by Blink 182. I had to play power chords, and I'll never forget it. I thought, 'Oh, my God'. It was such a shock."

However, a chance meeting at orientation with fellow student, Briton Paul Humphries, led to a friendship which still continues.

"When Paul met me he said he could see I was not 'a rocker child', but he secured my mind and made me do the right thing, and he became a good friend," said Desta.

"He is a singer, and was always telling me what was going on, and what to get into."The first-term syllabus covered many facets of music, including repertory development, ear training, stylistic awareness, music culture, songwriting, band skills and a performance clinic. By year's end, he was was well on his way.At the start of his second year, he decided that, since singing was his forté, he would study vocals, partly because he wanted to experience different styles."I was singing rock and pop, and got to be the front man, which was fun. I had a really good time," he remembers. Now, having gained a diploma in guitar, and high diploma in vocals, Mr. Wilson is pursuing a two-year degree programme in vocals with good reason.He joined the ACM gospel choir, an extra-curricular activity which fulfills his desire to sing with an a cappella group. He has also formed his own band. "The choir is my release from the week's work, and I love it," he said. In fact, the choir, comprised of male and female singers, not only fulfills public engagements, but reached the semi-finals of last year's 'Last Choir Standing' competition, during which it appeared on BBC1 television every Saturday.Desta sang the lead on Bob Marley's 'One Love' something he remembers as "a great experience"."In terms of the competition, there was some discussion among the public that ACM Gospel Choir should have won." Nonetheless, the ACM choir went on to cut a Christmas album, on which Desta sang the second verse of Marley's 'One Love', and which Britain's second-largest selling tabloid,' The DailyMail', distributed free with one of its editions. It is also selling on iTunes, where the single from it, 'O Holy Night', is labelled "chartable".Arising out of a songwriting class, he and some fellow students formed a band in October, 2006, called 'Zion and the White Boys' a name chosen by the bassist.It comprises Desta on rhythm guitar, Dave Pickavance on lead guitar, Greg Machon on bass, drummer Adam Millest and three backing singers known as The Desires. With the exception of Marley's 'Jammin', the band performs all its own material, and has had many gigs in Guildford.However, Desta has his sights set on London, which he knows is a more difficult market to break into, particularly since boy indie bands are very popular, but he is determined to succeed.Meanwhile, he is continuing with his degree vocal studies, which includes advanced technical development, advanced sight reading, live performance analysis, and music industry overview.While Desta has enjoyed being home with his family and friends for Christmas, he is also looking forward to getting back to the UK."I am glad I went," he says. "I don't know what I would have been doing if I hadn't gone. Talent gets wasted in Bermuda."