MARK MITCHELL (Director of Music)

Subject Music and Organ Teacher - MMus, HDE, LTCL, FTCL, UPLM, UTLM, MBA

Mark Mitchell obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cape Town, graduating with the Polliacks Education Prize as the top student of his year. In 1996 he completed his Master of Music thesis on The Anthems of Herbert Howells. He holds several licentiates and a fellowship in organ performance, piano and teaching from UNISA and Trinity College, London.

In 1987 Mark was appointed Organ Scholar to Dr Barry Smith at St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town and in 1989 was appointed the Assistant Organist – a position he held until 2003. He has recorded both choirs and organ for the BBC and SABC.

In 1994 he went to England to take up an organ scholarship at Worcester Cathedral and the attached Kings Choir School, where he worked under Dr Donald Hunt. During his time there he gave several recitals and played the organ in numerous concerts including one with the eminent English conductor, Sir David Lumsden. During this time he also toured the United States, Canada and the Channel Islands with the Choir

In 1998 Mark was appointed Musical Director of the Symphony Choir of Cape Town – a position he held until 2003. During this time he specialised in training the choir in oratorios and sacred orchestral works. His interest in South African sacred choral works, in particular, has resulted in the first performances and recordings of compositions by several local composers. Mark has extended this interest by promoting these works on Fine Music Radio as a presenter.

In 2004 Mark furthered his education by completing a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Cape Town during which time he was awarded a bursary to the Columbia University, Graduate School of Business in New York.

email: mmitchell@bishops.org.za

SHEILA ROFF

Department Administrator

Sheila is in fact the true 'boss' of the Music Department, in that, without her, we would literally not be able to function. Ask her anything, she knows the answer or can solve your problem.

email: sroff@bishops.org.za

GLORIA BASSETT (Academic Head of Music)

Subject Music and Piano Teacher - BMus

Gloria has been on the staff at Bishops since . She teachers subject work (harmony, history and aural) and piano. She also accompanies pupils for exams and organises all internal lunch hour concerts. She is famous for her teaching of Royal Schools Theory, one of her pupils having recently scored 100% in the Grade 5 exam. Gloria has a strong interest in music technology and will be fully involved in the new technology initiatives.

email: gbassett@bishops.org.za

MARTIN GEVERS

Subject Music, Oboe and Piano Teacher - BMus, UPLM

Martin started his musical studies in 1973 at the UP with piano, trumpet and harpsichord. After an interruption of one year for architectural draughting he moved to Durban where he obtained his BMus in organ and oboe. He moved to Cape Town where he worked for a local organ builder and later took up his first teaching position. In 1984 he was appointed to the College for the Arts in Windhoek where he taught oboe, recorder, theory and conducted the wind band. There he continued his oboe studies and obtained his UPLM in oboe. Since his appointment to Bishops in January 1991, he has become the music department’s ‘Jack of all trades’ teaching piano, flute and the oboe as well as Subject Music. He has also bee involved in various ensembles and music technology. In the past he has conducted the Bellville Men’s Choir, various youth and church choirs, and was organist in various church congregations. He is experienced in choral singing and ensemble playing. In Windhoek he was actively involved in choral singing, ensemble and orchestral playing. As a hobby he loves being creative in any field relating to the building trade.

email: mgevers@bishops.org.za

ANDREA RUTTER

Subject Music, Clarinet and Piano Teacher - BMus(Hons), HDE, UPLM

Andrea Rutter teaches clarinet, piano and subject work at the College, as well as group clarinet and individual clarinet at the Prep. In addition she is one of the music department’s official accompanists. She has many years experience in band work, having previously run concert, marching and jazz bands.

email: arutter@bishops.org.za

JOC WRENSCH

Subject Music and Piano Teacher - BMus

Joc joined the staff of Bishops in July 2002. He was previously the IT Director at Herschel, as well as teaching music there. At Bishops he teaches subject work (harmony, history and aural) and piano. He is also involved in accompanying pupils and in the Chamber Music programme. One of his main focuses at Bishops is to establish the SoundHouse and Recording Studio, so as to develop the music technology programme at Bishops. He has spent many years accompanying choirs and presently is the accompanist for the Cape Town Male Voice Choir. Joc enjoys any sport on skis.

email: jwrensch@bishops.org.za

MIKE BLAKE

Trumpet Teacher

Michael Blake received a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa in 1981 and has taught at the public school and at the university level in the USA, as well as in Germany and South Africa. He attended the Aspen School of Music and the Pierre Montreux Music school, and taught and performed at the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina. He also served as Artist in Residence for the State of Georgia. Dr. Blake performed as Principal Trumpet of the Nurnberg Philharmonic Orchestra for ten years, during which time he also played with various orchestras throughout Europe, including the Bamberg Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, the Suisse Romande, as well as numerous radio orchestras. While in Europe, he also performed and taught at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. After joining the CTSO as principal trumpet in 1986, he was featured as soloist several times, and has recently premiered a work for flugelhorn and orchestra by Stanley Glasser, African Nights, with the Eastern Cape Philharmonic. He is one of the founding members of the Solid Brass Quintet and of the African-jazz group, Intsholo, which has performed internationally representing South Africa at the Olympics in 1996. In 2001 Dr. Blake started to expand his musical palette to include playing lighter music, playing in such diverse groups as the Jonny Cooper Orchestra (lead trumpet) as well as in various small jazz ensembles such as Doc ‘n the Croc and Open Secret. In addition he performs often with renowned organist, Zorada Temmingh and soprano, Sanet Allen, having performed at the KKnK in Oudsthoorn.. He teaches at the University of Cape Town.

TITIA BLAKE

Violin Teacher

Titia Blake started her career as a violinist at the age of ten. She has toured Europe and Israel as part of the South African National Youth Orchestra. After studying for a BMus at UCT where she was a finalist in the Norman Nossel competition, she joined the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra as first violin. She has performed chamber music almost as long as she has been playing the violin, winning the first CAPAB chamber music competition in 1988. In that year she performed the Palm Strings Quartet and four years later, the Violin Guitar Duo. This ensemble is very active, performing regularly for Rovos Rail, The Mount Nelson, Constantia Uitsig and various other beautiful venues across the Cape.

Apart from performing, Titia is renound in the Cape for teaching, particularly young children. She was one of the first to introduce the Suzuki method, having trained with the Solomons and Professor Bussoit in Johannesburg as well as further instruction in the US.

SARAH CALVER

Brass Teacher

Sarah began the piano when she was three years old, but found an interest in the trombone in 2000 when she took music at high school. She has played with various orchestras (including the UCT, University of Stellenbosch, National Youth and Cape Philharmonic orchestras).

In 2004, Sarah achieved a distinction for her Grade 8 UNISA trombone exam. In September 2005, she was the soloist at a Wind Band concert at UCT (David Concertino). Sarah is presently studying under the direction of Sean A. Kierman, Lecturer of Brass and UCT. She is majoring in classical performance with trombone as her principal instrument.

Sarah has had extensive experience on all brass instruments.

STEPHEN CARLETTI

Singing Teacher - MMus

Stephen (OD) is the voice teacher at both the Prep and College. He also works as a professional singer (tenor) who specialises in oratorio, as well as a composer and music engraver. Further interests include watching rugby, playing with his two children and avoiding his wife at washing up time!

KEVIN COOK

Violin Teacher

Kevin Cook was born in Chicago, Illinois where he received his formal training in classical music. He studied under Almita and Roland Vamos at Western Illinois University and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (1986-89). Returning to Chicago he furthered his studies at the American Conservatory with violinist Elizabeth Matesky. Finishing his studies Kevin was awarded a position as principal 3rd violin in the famous Mantovani Orchestra where he spent two years travelling the United States and the Far East. In 1994 he came to South Africa and played with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, and most recently the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Since leaving the orchestra, Kevin has founded a string quartet called Forte.

PATRICK GOODWIN

Violin Teacher - MMus

Patrick Goodwin studied at the University of Cape Town under Farida Bacharova and in Chicago (USA) under Olga Kaler. An avid chamber musician, Patrick has played in the UCT String Quartet, Aya Quartet (Chicago) and most recently as violist in the Amir Quartet with whom he performed at the 2007 Ravinia Festival, Illinois, USA. He made his solo debut with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005 and has also appeared as a soloist with the UCT String Ensemble and again with the Philharmonic in 2007. After obtaining his Masters degree with distinction from DePaul University, Chicago, Patrick moved back to Cape Town in mid 2007 and subsequently joined the Cape Philharmonic as Deputy Concertmaster- the youngest player to have held the position. Patrick owns a surfboard he cannot stand up on, loves hiking in the mountains and is excited to be a part of the fantastic music department at Bishops.

NOLENE DUNN

Piano Teacher - DipABRSM

Nolene Dunn's music career started in Durban in the late 1970s. An accomplished pianist her main focus, however, was voice and she was well known for her oratorio and lieder singing.

Marriage and a move to northern Zululand caused Ms Dunn to adapt to the music needs around her and she became involved in school music and piano teaching. With her understanding of the voice, she has trained a number of choirs and presently works with the Wynberg Boys High School choir.

It was while holding the post of music director at St. Joseph's College, Rondebosch where she had numerous piano pupils that her interst in piano teaching methods grew. Under the tutoring of June Keeves, Cape Town's doyenne of piano pedagogy, Ms Dunn achieved her DipABRSM in 2004.

She lives in Newlands and is married with two sons.

DEREK FENNEL

Flute Teacher - MA

Derek Fennell was born in Dublin, Ireland. He started playing the flute after attending a James Galway concert in Brussels. Derek matriculated with distinctions at the old Johannesburg Art, Ballet, Drama and Music School, having moved to South Africa with his parents. After graduating from WITS he moved to London to continue his musical education. Derek worked as flautist with Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards band, touring Europe and the Far East. During his time in London he also completed a MA in Psychology for Musicians, qualified as a hypnotherapist and worked in the commercial music industry. He returned to South Africa in 2004 where he combines a busy teaching schedule with his Performance Coaching Practice.

LUCIA DI BLASIO-SCOTT

Violin Teacher - BMus

Lucia has been a part of the Bishops Music Department since 1994 as a violin teacher. Lucia started studying the violin at age six, and gained her degree in music from the “G. Verdi” Conservatoire of Turin, Italy, with honours in violin performance, at age eighteen. Lucia arrived in South Africa in 1983 as a founder member and Principal first violin of the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. She subsequently moved to Cape Town where she was the Principal of both the CTSO and CTPO. She has seen a number of boys through to their matric year with a very high standard. Lucia is also a well know and respected chamber music player.

RON FRANCHITTI

Saxophone Teacher

Ron, a very experienced saxophone teacher, joined the College staff at the beginning of 2004. Originally from the UK, Ron first settled in Johannesburg, before coming to Cape Town in 1988. He has performed with many well-known artistes and has been involved in the recording and broadcasting industry for many years.

MICHAEL HOOLE

Guitar Teacher - BMus

Michael has been teaching Classical Guitar at Bishops for a number of years. He studied at UCT for his degree. He was then awarded a scholarship from the Royal College of Music in London where he studied with Carlos Bonell. Michael has won numerous prizes and has performed as a soloist with the CTSO and in a series of duet guitar concerts in Europe. When not playing or teaching, Michael is passionate about the sea and especially surfing.

BEVERLEY HOWMAN

Piano Teacher - LRAM, ARCM

Beverley has been teaching piano at Bishops since 1989. After completing her schooling in Zimbabwe she studied piano with Lamar Crowson at both UCT and at the Royal College of Music in London, where she also studied harpsichord and chamber music with Cecil Aronowitz. After studying in London she returned to UCT to complete her Teachers and Performers Licentiate Diplomas. She subsequently taught both piano and guitar at UCT and has also performed as a soloist with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. Beverley then returned to Zimbabwe where she continued to teach and give recitals. In 1980 she returned to SA and taught privately until joining Bishops. She enjoys accompanying and her great love is chamber music.

ANEL GALVIN

Saxophone and Clarinet

Anél studied clarinet and saxophone under Jim Reinders at the University of Stellenbosch and percussion under S. Brits. She is currently furthering her studies through UNISA.
She teaches at Springfield Convent School, Wynberg Boys’ High, Bergvliet High and is a trainer for the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and CPO Education Program

ROSS JOHNSON

Marimbas - B Mus

CV coming soon.

BARBARA KENNEDY

Cello Teacher

Barbara is a cello teacher at the Prep and College. She was born in Bulawayo and began piano at 5 and cello at 11. Her musical studies continued in London, when she won a scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Music. Since returning to South Africa, Barbara has been active as an orchestral and chamber music player, performing frequently with her chamber groups, the Michaelis Players, and the Palm Strings Quartet, as well as a group of 6 cellos called I Grandi Violoncellisti. She also teaches at Beau Soleil Music Centre, Rustenburg Girls Junior School, at the Sun Valley Music Academy in Fish Hoek as well as privately. At present she is Director of the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop for children, and advisor and coach to the Amateur Chamber Music Players Association.

CHARLES KNIGHTON-PULLIN

Guitar Teacher - PDM

Charles began playing the piano when he was nine years old and the guitar at thirteen. In high school Charles studied classical music, in which his primary instrument wasGuitar. Charles finished high school with UNISA grade 5,6 & 7 in music theory/harmony. After school he attended the University of Cape Twon, College of Music and completed his PDM(classical stuies) in 2007.

Charles has studied under Selaelo Selota, Michael Hoole and James Grace. He is currently teaching at two well known high schools in the Cape Town area and plays in a corporate cover band "Almost Famous" which includes Sean Nunnan on drums (writer for SA drummer magazine).

NEAL GREEN

Trumpet Teacher - BMus

After matriculating from Grey High School (being the holder of the Robert Selley Scholarship for Music), Neal began his studies at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Performance (Trumpet) in 2007. During this time, Neal performed with the NMMU Brass Ensemble, Madiba Bay Brass Quintet, Madiba Bay Jazz Orchestra and the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (Trumpet and Viola). In 2005, Neal also appeared as soloist in the ECPO Youth Concerto Festival.

PETER MUHL

Guitar Teacher - BMus, HDE

Pete has taught Classical Guitar at the Prep and College since 1992. After studying at university for his degree he attended master classes with Ernesto Bitteti and studied further in London with Carlos Bonnell. In the mid-1980s he was the Head of Music at Sea Point High School. He is committed to an integrated approach to music through the medium of the guitar.

DONAT PELLEI

Double Bass Teacher

Donat studied at the Franz Liszt Academy where he won the Franz Liszt Double Bass Prize and received two Performing Diplomas with distinction. He toured Europe with three Hungarian orchestras before joining the CTSO and CTPO as Sub-Principal Bass. He now teaches and is a member of the popular Hungarian Trio.

PHILIP PRINGLE

Percussion Teacher – ATCL, DipABRSM, BMus(hon)

In 2004 Philip Pringle obtained a PDM (jazz Studies) with distinction in percussion and in 2005 he completed a BMus(hon) degree from the University of Cape Town. At UCT he studied with Efrain Toro (Drum Set and Latin Percussion), Frank Mallows (Drum Set and Percussion) and Peter Klatzow (Composition). In 2005 he also obtained a DipABRSM and an ATCL with distinction.

Philip has played in many orchestras including The Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (1998 – 2001), The SA National Youth Concert Orchestra (2000 – 2001) and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra for which he was a cadet in 2004 and since then plays with the orchestra as an ad hoc member. In 2000 and 2001 Philip won three titles in the SASMT Music Competitions and in 2002 he played in the final round of the Distell Music Prize. Philip was a recipient of the SAMRO Undergraduate Bursary for general music study in 2003 and in 2004 was again a recipient of the SAMRO Undergraduate Bursary for composition. In 2001, Philip had a master class with Prof. Klaus Tresselt from The Musikhochschule, Stuttgart, Germany. Philip has self published a book entitled The Drum Kit Method and is also currently teaching at RBHS and WPPS.

JUDITH RHODES-HARRISON

Piano Teacher - BMus, HDE, LTCL, LRSM, UTLM, UPLM

Judith is a Piano teacher at the Pre-Prep, Prep and College. Her passion is piano playing and loves sharing this with her students. She has previously taught subject work (harmony, history and aural) at the college, as well as class music. Judith has also given lunch-hour recitals at the college and enjoys accompanying other instruments and playing in concerts.

STUART SCOTT

Brass Teacher (Prep School Head of Music) - LTCL

Stuart joined the full time music staff in October 1993 as Head of Brass and the bandmaster of the Brass Band. He is, as from October 2001, the Head of Department of the Prep Music Department. He grew up and studied in the UK, at the Salford College of Technology Music Department with Dr Newsom. During this time he became the Principal Trombone for the world-renown Besses o’th Barn Brass Band, with whom he toured throughout Europe and recorded many CDs. This band won many competitions, including the prestigious British Open Brass Band Championship in 1982. In 1983 Stuart came to South Africa as a founder member of the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also lived in Italy where he was a member of the Sanremo Symphony Orchestras Stuart also has an Advanced Diploma in Band Musicianship with a distinction in performance and conducting.

ANMARI VAN DE WESTHUIZEN

Cello Teacher - BMus(Hons), UPLM, UTLM, Konzertdiplom (Saltzburg), Konzertexamen (Köln)

Anmari joined the college staff in January 2003. After graduating from Stellenbosch University she studied in Saltzburg at the Mozarteum under Heidi Litschauer, where she obtained her Grosses Konzertdiplom, and later with Maria Kliegel in Köln, where she obtained her Konzertexamen. She has appeared as a soloist with all the major South African orchestras and made her international concert debut in Salzburg in 1990. She has also performed as a chamber musician at many festivals in Europe. Anmari has made several recordings and has performed world premiers of several works, in addition to having a Cello Sonata and a Cello Concerto dedicated to her. She is now a lecturer at UCT College of Music where she also directs the String Ensemble. Anmari is still an active performer of Chamber Music (both in South Africa and abroad) and has two young children.

DEBBY VAN ZYL

Piano Teacher - BMus, LRSM

Debby is a piano teacher at the Pre-Prep, Prep and College. In addition she teaches aural, theory and Grade 1 Class Music. Debby studied for her degree at Stellenbosch University. Her other areas of expertise are: early childhood music education, accompanying, choral work and history of music.