Musician Profiles

Annalie de Villiers

André van Vuuren

After taking classical music lessons from a young age, Andre joined one of the best known South African Defence Force entertainment units as a pianist and accordionist.

After some years spent there, he left to perform solo while completing a B.Dent.Tech degree. He also competed in national competitions with great success and has done recordings for the SABC. He has performed live with many top South African artists and features on a number of local artist’s CD’s.

Since 2003 he lives in Cape Town and has performed at most of its main venues. He has performed in not less than 1600 concerts, festivals and functions country wide. He distinguishes himself from the rest not only by his high standard of performance, but also because he is totally mobile and moves around while playing the accordion. This in itself creates a very intimate atmosphere. André often performs as pianist and jazz musician as well. 

Ann Donald

Ann Donald

Ann started violin lessons at age 11, switching to viola at 15. In 1999 she started her B.Sc. in Geoinformatics at Stellenbosch University, completing her M.Sc. in Geographical Information Systems in 2005.

During this time she studied viola with Prof Eric Rycroft and Louis van der Watt. Ann has been an active member of the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony and String Orchestras, the National Youth Orchestra and the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra.

Currently she plays ad hoc for various groups.

Annalie de Villiers

Annalie de Villiers

Annalie started flute lessons in 1991 at the age of 10. She participated in several national High School music competitions between 1995 and 1999 and was invited to play as a soloist with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra during the Youth Concerto Festival held in 1998. In 1999 she won first prize in the Wind Instrument Category at the ABSA National High School Music Competition and the same year passed her UNISA and Royal Schools Grade 8 exams with distinction.

Annalie's orchestral experience includes second Flautist and Piccolo player for the Stellenbosch University Orchestra during 2000 and 2001 as well as participating in the National Youth Orchestra course in 1999 and 2000. Ensemble experience includes 10 years of consistent performance at private functions as background music or recitals. She toured China in December 2006 as member of the orchestra accompanying Andrew Young, well known saxophone player from Vienna. She has received master classes from William Bennett.

At present Annalie runs a Dietetics Practice in Robertson and is a part-time flautist. She is also available for events and special occasions in the Breederiver Winelands district.

Azra Isaacs

Azra Isaacs

Azra started playing the violin at the age of 9. Her past teachers include Lizbé du Toit and Prof Jack de Wet and is currently studying the viola with Farida Bacharova at UCT.

Azra has participated in a number of chamber and orchestral workshops and was awarded best ensemble player twice at the Bloemhof National Ensemble Competition. She was a soloist in the Hugo Lambrechts Concerto Festival in May 2006 and the Youth Concerto Festival of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2006.

Azra has received master classes from Chris Roeland and Susan du Bois.

Hadley Duminy

Hadley Duminy Dipl Edu Mus; B Mus (Hons), M Mus (pending)

Winner of the CAPAB violin competition, Hadley studied violin and piano at the University of the Western Cape before going on to Post Graduate studies at the College of Music - University of Cape Town, where he completed his B Mus Hons. He is currently completing his Masters in Music at UCT.

Besides full time teaching he has conducted the UWC Chamber Orchestra and has been Co-leader of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra in a part time capacity for several years.

Jeanie Kelly

Jeanie Kelly

Jeanie started playing the flute at the age of 14. In 2005 she obtains a BMus in flute performance from the University of Stellenbosch, where she studies under Eva Tamassy. From 2006 she studies flute with Liesl Stoltz and during the same year, she obtains a BMus Honors in flute performance from the University of Cape Town.

She has received master classes from Trever Wye, Hansgeorg Schmeiser, Karin Leitner and Alex Klein. During 2002 and 2003 she participates in the ABSA national youth music competition and in 2004 she participates in the UNISA bursary competition.

Currently she is teaching at Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre. Jeanie has also been a compiler for the Morning Breakfast show on FMR 101.3 since May 2009.

Lara Block

Lara Block

Lara was born in Cape Town and graduated at UCT in 1997 majoring in cello and orchestration. She has participated in both professional and ad hoc orchestras in South Africa and Europe, touring with groups to Russia, India and South America.

Lara plays in chamber groups, orchestras, and jazz/ pop/ rock/ alternative bands in Cape Town and has made several recordings with both local and international groups.

Lara has been involved in education since 1999, teaching at Primary and Secondary Schools as well as Music Centres in and around Cape Town.

Furthermore, she is a member of WASBESA (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles) which promotes South African Symphonic Bands.

Lester le Roux

Lester Le Roux ATCL, B Mus Hons, M Mus (pending)

This award winning pianist received distinction in both his ATCL international and B Mus Honours recital programmes.

Lester has taught and lectured in piano at Secondary, as well as Tertiary Education institutions. He specializes in teaching Music Technology and is well versed in music software programmes such as Sibelius, Finale, Cubase, Band in a Box and more.

Lester regularly performs both jazz and classical music in and around Cape Town and is also very active producing and recording in studios. 

Lizl Grobler

Lizl Grobler

Lizl received her violin tuition from Prof Jack de Wet. At school she received distinction for various UNISA exams and prizes at Ensemble competitions and Eisteddfods. She was a member of the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra from 1996 - 1999 that performed at various events at i.e. the KKNK and in and around Cape Town.

Lizl went on to receive a B.A. Human Movement Science degree and a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate at the University of Stellenbosch in 2002.

Now married and part time web designer, she administrates the Music Boutique website and plays ad hoc for different groups, including her church Praise and Worship band.

Marelise Fourie

Marelise Diener

Marelise has obtained a Masters Degree in Violoncello under Peter Martens at Stellenbosch University in 2008. While studying at Stellenbosch University, she won several bursaries, such as the Hans Endler Prize, HA Molteno prize, JLM Franken prize, SAMRO prize and several merit bursaries.

Marelise has been part of a permanent ensemble for several years and performs regularly as a cellist for various others. She has attended several chamber music courses and festivals such as the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop and Festival and the International Chamber Music Festival at Stellenbosch University.

She obtained the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Bursary for oversees studies and recently returned from studying with Prof Eugene Osadchy at the University of North Texas (USA). There she was a member of the UNT Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Baroque Orchestra, Collegium, and received baroque cello lessons from Gyöngy Erődi. She has had master classes with Nikola Ruzevic, Heidi Litschauer, Cobus Swanepoel, Maria Kliegel and Angela Painter.

Marelise teaches full time at the Johnman Music School and Bloemhof Girls High in Stellenbosch, as well as Somerset College Preparatory School.

Marguerite de Villiers

Marguerite Spies

Marguerite started with cello lessons at the age of 9 and received her tuition from Anmari van der Westhuizen. From 2001 to 2006 she received the trophy for the best senior cellist at the Stellenbosch Eisteddfod and was a member of Trio Con Fuoco which won their category at the Bloemhof National Ensemble Competition in 2001 and 2002.

In 2003 she performed as a soloist with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra at their Youth Concerto Festival and in 2004, she passed her UNISA grade 8 practical examination with distinction. She was invited to participate in the UNISA Bursary Competition in Bloemfontein the next year.

In 2004 Marguerite was the leader of the cello section of the South African National Youth Orchestra and in September 2006 she was a member of this orchestra which toured Germany to participate in the Beethoven Fest in Bonn.

In the past she has received master classes from various cello professors such as, Heidi Litschauer, Maria Kliegel, Cobus Swanepoel, Phyllis Young and Bjorn Bantok.

At UCT she was awarded the Jerry Meyer Memorial Prize for the best student of any instrument; and the Musicanti Chamber Orchestra Award for the academic year of 2005. She has been on the Dean's Merit list for the academic years 2005, 2006 and 2007 and obtained her B.Mus Performance degree with distinction in 2008. 

Marguerite is currently employed by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban and plays in various chamber music groups.

Nadine Roussopoulos

Nadine Roussopoulos

Nadine is a third year B.Mus (performance) student with Associate Professor Farida Bacharova, Head of Strings at UCT. At the end of her first and second years she was awarded the Gerry Meyer Memorial Prize for the best instrumentalist at the college and has also received the Alfred Libochowitz Prize for strings in 2006 and the Gertrude Haas Performing Arts prize in 2007.

In 2003 she was co-leader of the Hugo Lambrechts String Ensemble, which was the overall winner of the 2003 Stellenbosch National Ensemble Competition. Nadine advanced to the third round of the ABSA National High Schools Competition in 2005 and was awarded the runner up prize in the Strings Category.

In 2006 Nadine toured to Germany as a member of the National Youth Orchestra and she was invited as part of the UCT Quintet to perform at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music festival in 2007. Nadine has also had master-classes with Daniel Rowland, Victor Yampolsky and Markus Daenert.

In 2007 she was invited to be a member of the Britten-Pears Orchestra at the Aldeburgh Festival which took place in England.

Nadine has been co-leading the UCT Symphony Orchestra and String Ensemble since 2007. She lead the Orchestra in the 2007 performance of Puccini's Opera, La Rondine and the 2008 Symphony concert with the guest conductor Cem Mansur.

Nadine is a member of PIZZAZZ string quartet which started in 2005 and has since been requested to perform at many prestigious state functions and celebrity weddings.

Sarah-Jane Frith

Sarah-Jane Frith

Sarah-Jane, an experienced and active chamber musician, has a Social Science Degree in Law and Psychology and is in currently in her penultimate year LLB studies at the University of Cape Town.

Sarah-Jane, under the guidance of Lucia Scott, was placed on the Roll of Honour for her Grade 8 UNISA violin examination in 2006 and obtained her Violin Performance Diploma from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music in 2007.

Throughout her career as a musician she has carried out important positions of leadership, including the position of Concert Master for the Hugo Lambrecht Symphony Orchestra (2002-2004), the National Youth Concert Orchestra (2003) and the International Chamber music Festival Concert Orchestra (2005). She was a member of the National Youth Orchestra which toured to Germany in 2006 to participate in the prestigious Beethoven festival in Bonn.

As a soloist Sarah-Jane has participated in the ABSA National Youth Music Competition and performed with the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra on two occasions. She was also the solo violin in the production Behind the Mask featuring Lana English and Rory Rootenberg which showed at the Baxter during 2007 where she was described by the Cape Times as "supremely dignified and her violin playing luxuriously elegant".

Sarah-Jane plays enthusiastically with various ad hoc chamber groups around Cape Town, is the first violinist of PIZZAZZ String Quartet and a first violinist in the UCT string ensemble.

Susan de Villiers

Susan de Villiers

Susan studied B.A. Mus with Mathematics and received a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate at the University of Stellenbosch where she received her violin tuition from Paul Martens.

Susan gave violin lessons at the Wellington College, in Paarl, Stellenbosch and Kuilsrivier for 12 years.

Since 1994, she is the organiser of the Strings section of the Stellenbosch Eisteddfod, and in 2006 the Winds section was added to her portfolio.

Susan plays in Duo Suzil and part time in the Klein Lanzerac Trio. She is also an active member of the Troubadours, a group of musicians in Stellenbosch and Somerset West that have home concerts every first Wednesday of the month.