Two former music students have found perfect harmony after getting married 17 years after they met at a London college.
Steve Mckenzie and Kersha Bailey tied the knot at Muswell Hill Baptist Church surrounded by family and friends on September 18.
Steve, 35, is a session musician with a background in youth work who founded London Urban Arts Academy last year, while Kersha, 33, is a professional singer-songwriter and musician.
Between them they have toured, performed and collaborated with artistes including Emily Sandé, Sam Smith, Ms Dynamite, Bashy, Naughty Boy, Toddla T and Wretch 32.
The couple studied at City and Islington College (CANDI) from 2004 to 2006 where Steve, upon seeing his future wife in the first few weeks she started college, told friends “one day she’s going to be my wife”.
They did not date at college, but Kersha admitted being attracted to Steve’s big and bold personality.
Steve and Kersha went their separate ways for a few months after leaving CANDI until he called and asked her if she would like to audition for his hip hop band Shynenville.
He said: “When she came to the first rehearsal of Shynenville she was wearing a headwrap and was looking really good, and I was like wooooo!”
Kersha said: “Our first dates were in the studio and at rehearsals. I began to feel more and more connected to this guy and that there was something there.
“Being in the band singing and doing what I love rekindled the feelings I had for Steve. I thought he was kinda cute. So, we thought let’s do this, take it slow and see where it goes.”
Steve added: “Her voice really impacted me, she had something very special.
“I felt her voice had a healing quality, it took me to a place of reflection which gave me warmth and comfort.”
Kersha recalled being attracted to the way the sun made Steve’s black skin look “so golden and rich”, his long eyelashes and big smile, and that his thoughtfulness and selflessness “made him different to other boys”.
Steve added: “Kersha used to always wear her hair down over one eye, and one day I asked her to move her hair away from her face and told her she had beautiful eyes.
The couple studied at the college’s Centre for Business, Arts and Technology in Camden Road where Steve got down on one knee and proposed in May.
The newlyweds celebrated their marriage with a reception at Core Clapton in Hackney and will be spending their honeymoon in Jamaica in December.
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