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

Iona is 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:ibeukes@bishops.org.za

MMus

Gloria has been on the staff at Bishops forever... actually since 1989. She is the Academic Head of Department and teaches subject work (harmony, history, aural and theory). She accompanies students for exams and oversees the extra-curricular theory programme. Gloria has a strong interest in music technology and is fully involved in all technology initiatives.

email:gbassett@bishops.org.za

MMus

Stephen Carletti was educated at Bishops where he thoroughly enjoyed singing in the Chapel Choir and playing 1st trumpet in the Brass Band under the legendary Graham Coote. He went on to study music and obtained his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cape Town, majoring in Voice and Composition. After a stint in Natal with the NAPAC Singers he returned and completed his Master of Music degree in Composition under his mentor, Prof. Peter Klatzow. In the 1980s and 90s, Stephen worked as a professional tenor, specializing in oratorio and recitals, whilst freelancing as a voice teacher, a professional music notesetter and composer. His compositions and arrangements have been performed as far afield as the UK, USA, Australia and Russia.

After teaching at a local rival school, Carletti joined the music staff of Bishops in 2011. He teaches subject work (composition and orchestration, theory, history and aural) and voice. He is also involved in accompanying students, managing the Lunchtime Concert programme, assisting with the choir and the close-harmony group, Simply Blue. Outside of music, he is a tutor in Kidd House and the teacher in charge of the College calendar.

When not at work, Stephen enjoys nothing more than being with his family, known as “5S”; (Stephen), Susan, Simon, Samantha and Stanley the pug, as well as watching as much rugby as is humanly possible!

email:mgevers@bishops.org.za

BMus(Hons), HDE, UPLM

Andrea teaches clarinet and subject work at the College and individual clarinet at the Prep. She is also the senior accompanist at the College.

On the ensemble scene, she runs the Senior Band and oversees the Concert Band.

email:arutter@bishops.org.za

BMus, BEd (Hons)

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 music (harmony, theory, history and aural) and piano. He is also involved in accompanying students and directs the Bishops Orchestra. One of his main focuses at Bishops is to develop the music technology programme and in this regard he oversees the SoundHouse and Recording Studio. He is currently the Housemaster of Gray House. Joc enjoys any sport on skis and is a very reluctant organist at Bishops.

email:jwrensch@bishops.org.za

BMus (Hons), BMus (Hons) in Performance

Frances started learning the double bass with Nico Kruger in 2009 – her third instrument after piano and cello. After joining the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra on bass in 2011, she played for many ensembles and orchestras throughout high school, and discovered orchestral bass playing to be her true passion in life. In 2015, Frances began studying at the University of Pretoria, under the instruction of Marike Prins, and obtained her BMus (Hons) degree in 2018.

In 2019, she relocated to Cape Town to further her studies, completing a BMus (Hons) in Performance at Stellenbosch University, with Roxane Steffen as her lecturer. Frances is currently studying her MMus in the research field of Musician’s Health, and is a freelance double bass player for many orchestras in both Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

B.Mus MMus LLB LLM Advocate of the High Court of South Africa

Natalie started her professional horn career as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban, and thereafter as a member of the CAPAB opera orchestra in Cape Town. She was a member of Amadeus Winds wind quintet for more than twenty-five years, performing chamber music in and around Cape Town.

She currently practices as an advocate at the Cape Bar, while continuing to perform as a freelance horn player with various orchestras and ensembles in Cape Town.

Distinction in Flute from UCT

I started learning music in the New Apostolic Church. I attended Beau Soleil Music centre and matriculated from Wynberg Boys High School. I have been a member of the South African National Youth Wind Ensemble and Orchestra as well as the Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. I received my Performance Diploma in Music in 2014, with Distinction in Flute from the University of Cape Town (UCT). In August 2014 I was invited to attend master-classes hosted by Professor Hansgeorg Schmeiser from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.

I also participated at the Neuberg Kulturtage in Austria and the 14th European Flute Academy in Fiss, Austria. In 2015 I attended the first South African Galway flute festival and was chosen to attend the Summer International Festival in Weggis, Switzerland. I was privileged to be invited again by Sir James Galway to attend his 2016 Summer International Festival in Weggis, Switzerland where I received a prize. In 2017 I received my Postgraduate Diploma in Music from UCT. As part of my post graduate studies I was accepted into the Erasmus exchange program between the University of Cape Town and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna on a one year course with Professor Schmeiser.

BMus Hons. (UCT)

Ruby Mae Ayliffe graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2015 with a BMus Hons. specialising in orchestral performance in violin.  She freelances in the Cape Town area – performing regularly in string groups and for various orchestras including the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. 
When Ruby is not performing, she teaches at Herschel Girls’ School as well as Bishops Diocesan College. 

BMus (Hons), HOD, LTCL, LRSM, UTLM

Erina was the subject head of music at Pearson High School in Port Elizabeth where she taught piano and music as a subject for 22 years. Achievements with students included participants and prize winners at the prestigious ABSA national music competitions, students selected to perform piano concertos with orchestral accompaniment and cash prizes awarded to students for excellent achievements in Unisa examinations. Erina composed the music to a hymn, “The Man of all Millenia”, on request in 2000 which was subsequently orchestrated by Sue Cock and performed by symphony orchestras in Port Elizabeth and Gauteng

Since 2004 Erina has lived in Cape Town where she was an accompanist for the UCT Opera School until 2008. In 2006 she was one of the accompanists at the Fifth Unisa International Voice Competition where she was awarded an accompanist’s prize. She currently teaches piano students at Bishops, as well as the Hugo Lambrecht Music Centre and Rondebosch Preparatory School, and Foundation phase Music Theory and Aural training to historically disadvantaged students at the South African College of Music (UCT). She also regularly performs as an accompanist for soloists and choirs and is an accompanist for Licentiate students of the Stellenbosch University’s satellite campus at the army base in Cape Town. Her piano students often reach the final rounds of competitions held in Cape Town such as the Pieter Kooij and Johann Vos competitions.

Erina's qualifications include a BMus (Hons) degree (cum laude) and three piano licentiates from Unisa, Trinity College, London and Royal Schools of Music. She is also a qualified church organist.

BMus

Music came with mother's milk: piano lessons at age 6 and the violin arrived when Titia was nine years old. It was only after attending her first orchestral course at age 14 that she realised the violin would be her profession, especially as she toured overseas with the SA National Youth Orchestra whilst still at school. Teachers such as Pierre De Groot, Nikki Necesanek and Peter Carter at UCT and Alan Solomon in Johannesburg guided her through her studies. She has a BMus from UCT and was in the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra for 16 years.

Since the birth of her now 20 year old she has devoted herself to Palm Strings, playing mostly violin/ guitar Duos with Mike Hoole as well as Trios and quartets ....and teaching. After years of experience working with children she is currently focused on working mainly with underprivileged children, teaching in groups .Her goal is to give children the tools to busk. She is married to trumpeter Mike Blake and has three grown-up children. When not involved in music you will find her in the mountains or in the sea.

Francois Botha is a pianist who is recognised in the classical, jazz and popular music scenes. While actively pursuing his career as a solo artist, he is also an experienced accompanist and collaborator and has worked with some of the finest artists in the country as well as abroad.

After attending Bishops Diocesan College on a music scholarship, Francois commenced a BMus degree in 2009 at UCT where he currently studies piano with Albie van Schalkwyk. Since being at UCT, Francois has performed at events such as student quarterly concerts, graduations, music competitions, his own solo recitals in the Baxter Theatre and at private functions and recitals such as the SASMT AGM at Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium, The Owl Club, The Nine Club, The Hermanus Music Society, The Greyton Classic Festival, The St. Andrews Concert Series and the Bishops Music Society.

In 2011, Francois won the Robert Andrews prize for piano playing, the James De Villiers Prize and the Lionel Bowman Prize for a large-scale work by Beethoven. As a member of the Axiom Trio, Francois won the Schock Competition for Chamber Music and the National Ensemble competition (2011). In the world of musicals and shows Francois has performed in various capacities and is constantly in demand as a deputy. He has played piano, keyboards and double bass in the pit and on-stage in the Artscape Opera House in various shows (e.g. Annie, Lost in the Stars, Rockville, etc.) and has also been hired as a musical director, musical supervisor, vocal coach, rehearsal pianist and audition pianist. Francois was also lead male vocalist and keyboards when he stood in for musical director, Kyle Peterson in the ABBA tribute show: Super Troupers at Grand West Casino. In 2015 he toured Asia for four months with an international production of The Sound of Music.

Francois has played as principal double bassist of the National Youth Orchestra and the UCT Symphony Orchestra and he has served as a member of the shadow jury at the 12th UNISA International Piano Competition and at the Artscape Youth Competition. In 2014, Francois toured Europe as the orchestral pianist of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra, where they performed in venues such as Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and the Berlin Philharmoniker. This was his third European tour with MIAGI. Francois is passionate about the performance of South African compositions and has had a number of pieces dedicated to him which he has premiered. He is currently recording an album of exclusively South African piano music.

BTech Music Degree, NDip National School of Art

Richard is known as a musician and producer for his bands kidofdoom, ISO (Isochronous), Tumi Molekane, The Queen Experience and Lara Gear (The VOICE). He has played shows all over the world including Germany, Netherlands, Argentina, Dubai, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In 2010 Richard performed as the frontman of the band ISO to 100 000 people at 10 sold out arena shows across Germany. This would go down in history as the biggest tour a band of this age from South Africa has ever achieved. He was 24.  He also performed at the FIFA World Cup opening concert at Orlando stadium as a singer and guitarist for Tumi Molekane.

Richard's band ISO is internationally acclaimed and have produced chart topping hits like "No Fire", "Everytime", "Heaven", "Torpid", "Lost in here" and "State of Blue".

To date Richard has released 8 albums as well as a live DVD at the 02 World Arena in Berlin. He lives in Cape Town where he teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, production as well as the Bishops College rock bands. He has his own record label, "Naughty Bird", which was launched in 2016.

Dip. Turin Conservatoire

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.

Mariken Dippenaar studied clarinet and saxophone with Daryl Walters. In 1991 she joined the South African Navy Band as second, and later first alto saxophone player. She passed the Defence Force Chief Musician Audition (equivalent to a teachers licentiate) as well as the ABRSM Diploma for saxophone. In 2005 she completed a Bachelors of Information Science through UNISA.

Mariken performed at various functions and concerts while with the Navy Band. She has also played for the Jonny Cooper Big Band, Jazzattack, Windworx and her own saxophone quartet, Saxcapades.

After leaving the Navy Band in 2003, she started teaching music privately. She also taught as part time and substitute clarinet, saxophone and theory teacher at various schools. She is currently teaching clarinet and saxophone as a part time teacher at Bishops Prep and College.

2 Years Jazz Performance (Trinity

Jonathan began studying a performance diploma in contemporary music with Trinity College, London in 2007 and is still completing it due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which forced him to not play the guitar at all for a year. He is now continuing with it part-time and Jono is excited to resume.

Jono did studio work for Pop Idols SA, is an active session-guitarist in studios and live on stage with many bands and artists. But what Jono is most currently proud of is that he is in the process of recording his debut album and will be going to America for his first international tour this year.

Jono is a connoisseur of many things and, in his free time he enjoys the finest quality coffee from Espresso Labs and specialty-grade tea, fine wines, is an aspiring part-time chef and enjoys almost anything!

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.

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.

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.

BMus (UCT), MMus (Boston University)

Brendan Kierman teaches at UCT, Bishops and Pinehurst. He freelances with area orchestras and organizations such as Cape Philharmonic, Cape Opera and the Cape Town Ballet.  Brendan is principal trumpet and soloist with the Stellenbosch City Orchestra, plays jazz in the Johnny Cooper orchestra and is a keen Brass Quintet Chamber musician as well.  He is principal cornet of Cape Town Concert Brass which provided opportunities to play and record with the Singapore Symphony, Malaysia Philharmonic, Namibia Symphony Orchestra and the Free State Symphony Orchestra.  Brendan has been contracted twice as co-principal trumpet in the KZNPO in Durban.

He holds a BMus from UCT, a MMus from Boston University, Massachusetts and has 3 years towards his DMA also from Boston University under his belt.  He aims to complete this soon.  Over and above this, he has also been a faculty member of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

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).

BMus (UCT), PGDip in Opera Performance (UCT)

Vasti Knoesen graduated with her BMus Opera degree at the University of Cape Town in 2012; also receiving the Class medal. At the end of 2014 she received her Post Graduate Diploma in Performance.

She has received masterclasses from renowned artists including Daniel Washington, Michelle Breedt and Kobie van Rensburg. She has also performed the Mozartian roles of Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Vasti portrayed the roles of Mother Mary in Poulanc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites, the Lady with a Hat Box in Argento’s Postcard from Morocco and Modestina in Rossini’s Il Viaggio a Reims.

Vasti sang the role of Langkappie in Nicola Hanekom’s creation Land van Skedels, which won four Fiesta awards. Over the past few years she performed as the mezzo soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, many Mozart masses, Rachmaninoff’s Vespers andin Arvo Part’s St. Matthew’s Passion and Stabat Mater. She also performed Schumann’s Fraueliebe-und Leben at the Schock Chamber Music Final and obtained the fourth position. She also recorded vocals for the soundtrack of the movie, The Boda Boda Thieves, which was released in 2015.

Vasti has been a voice teacher at Bishops Diocesan College for the past 2 years and is working for Biblioteek Productions. Vasti has made it into the cast of the new musical Calling me Home, coming to theatres in 2017. She is also working on her solo career by moving away from strictly classical music and focusing on her own alternative sound by incorporating and singing jazz, broadway and pop.

Voice Teacher - LLM - North West University, MMus cum laude, UNISA Gr 8 in Singing & Gr 7 in Piano

Lente Louw holds ans LLM from North West University, where she also studied singing with Prof. Werner Nel. Under his guidance she completed singing performance up to fourth year level and appeared as soloist in numerous student opera, oratorio and recital projects. Since moving to the Western Cape, she has firmly established herself as recitalist and oratorio soloist and, under the baton of Dr Barry Smith, has appeared in the title role of Haendel's Theodora and Purcell's Dido, and as the soprano soloist in Bach's St Matthews passion and Mozart Requiem.

Lente has developed a keen interest in historically informed performance of early music and has received master classes in baroque singing from Kobie van Rensburg and Lawrence Zazzo. As a founding member of the Cape Consort, Cape Town's award-winning ensemble for early music under the direction of Hans Huyssen and Erik Dippenaar, she regularly performs concert programmes of ensemble and solo work both locally and internationally.

Dotsent in Music (equivalent to Ph.D)

Sasha was born in the former Soviet State of Azerbaijan and started playing piano at the age of 4. She studied at a central music school for 12 years where she played at many competitions, receiving many awards, including winning several competitions and was invited to play on national television from one of them.

She continued to study at the Azerbaijan State Conservatorium and took masterclasses at Moscow State Conservartorium and then completed preparation for a doctorate with world-renown pianist, Ekaterina Mourina, at St Petersburg Conservatorium.

She completed her dotsent (equivalent to a Ph.D) while working at Azerbaijan State Conservatorium, having already performed with chamber orchestras around the Soviet Union and Europe. In 2007 she came to South Africa and taught in and around Cape Town, while also performing with various other musicians. She now teaches at both Bishops and Springfield.

Dotsent in Music (equivalent to Ph.D)

Melissa McWalter is a graduate of the University of Cape Town's College of Music. She is currently studying toward her Masters in Music Therapy through the University of Pretoria. She now performs as a harpist at events and weddings throughout Cape Town and South Africa, as well as performing with various bands, ensembles and orchestras.

Melissa teaches harp and piano to both children and adults. She has been teaching for seven years and is passionate about re-igniting a love of music in her students through using creative teaching methods.

Melissa's teaching provides opportunities for enjoyment of music while developing and enhancing technical and stylistic ability and awareness.

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. Peter has also just built his own guitar as a part of a 9-month course with Casimi Guitars under Matthias Roux and Matthew Rice.

Langa Dubazana is a drummer who was born and raised in Soweto. His journey began in primary school at the age of 12 where, during Marimba band practices, he would occasionally tinker on the Drums. This sparked a further interest to enrol in private Drum lessons. He is a graduate of the The South African College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz studies with distinction.

It was at the South African College of Music where he would refine his performing abilities playing in the University Big Band for two years.

His achievements include playing Drums at The Fugard Theatre's run of “Kinky Boots”, television appearances on SABC 3's morning show, “Expresso” as a session artist and more recently, playing with the Cape Town band, Grassy Spark as a Bass Guitarist.

He currently works as a freelance musician, playing in local bands and at functions – when he’s not fulfilling his role as Percussion teacher at Bishops Diocesan College of course.

BMus (Hon), DipABRSM, ATCL

Philip Pringle studied at the University of Cape Town and obtained a performance diploma in jazz studies and a BMus honours in percussion performance. At UCT he studied with Efrain Toro (Drum Set and Latin Percussion), Frank Mallows (Drum Set and Percussion) and Peter Klatzow (Composition). He has also received diplomas from ABRSM and Trinity College London.

Philip has played in many orchestras and professional groups including the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, SA National Youth Concert Orchestra, Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the Jonny Cooper Orchestra.

Philip has self published two books entitled The Drum Kit Method, and Total Percussion. He writes for the SA Drums magazine and has a local Zildjian endorsement. He is head of music at Western Province Preparatory School and percussion/drum kit teacher at Bishops College.

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.

BMus, MMus

John Rojas is the Head of Woodwinds at the Beau Soleil Music Centre in Cape Town where he is director of the Senior Wind Band. He holds a Bachelor and Master of Music degree with departmental honors from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

He began his music studies on piano having played for Rudolf Serkin and José Iturbi. After winning many awards he continued studies on the clarinet, oboe and saxophone. He performed with Leonard Bernstein who wrote, “John Rojas plays the oboe like a star.” Mr Rojas later studied conducting with Prof Hans Beer of the Munich Opera.

Mr Rojas has gained wide experience in America as a member of various orchestras, including appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York City Opera and the touring American Ballet Theatre orchestra. He came to South Africa in 1983 to play Co-Principal Oboe and Solo English horn with the CAPAB orchestra and later the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra.

As a versatile musician in both jazz and the classical fields Mr Rojas has performed with the world-renowned The Modernaires on alto sax. He was invited to play oboe with the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Franz Welser-Möst conducting and the Warsaw Philharmonic led by Yehudi Menuhin during their tours of this country.

Mr Rojas has served as adjudicator for POLMUSCA, ABSA National Youth Music Competition, Sanlam National Music Competition, local Eisteddfods, and as external examiner for UNISA, UCT and Stellenbosch University.

(Prep School Head of Music) - LTCL

Stuart joined the full time music staff of Bishops in October 1993 as Head of Brass and the bandmaster of the Brass Band. In October 2001 he was appointed as HOD of the vibrant Prep Music Department.

He grew up in the UK and studied at Salford University. Stuart graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Band Musicianship with Distinction in performance and conducting and was the first recipient of the Harry Mortimer OBE Soloist Prize.

At Salford he studied the trombone under the legendary Neville Roberts. During his time at Salford, Stuart was invited by Dr Roy Newsome to play Principal Trombone with the world-renown Besses o’th’ Barn Brass Band, with whom he toured throughout the UK and Europe and recorded many CDs. Besses 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. In 1985 he moved to Italy with his wife, Lucia. Here they were both members of the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra. On his return to the NPO in 1990, he also taught trombone at the University of KZN, Durban Technicon, Durban Music School and Kersney College.

Stuart is a regular external examiner for the UCT College of Music and in 2012 was asked to coach the brass section of the South African National Youth Orchestra at their Summer Course. Stuart is happily married to Lucia and they have four wonderful children……….almost the Von Trapp family!!

MMus, BMus (Ed), LRSM

Debby has been a part-time music teacher at Bishops since 1991. In 2006 she started a music department at Forres Preparatory School, where she currently trains the choir and also teaches music.

Apart from teaching, she runs a guest cottage, walks her labradors, plays tennis, sings with the St Georges’ Singers, and loves to travel. She has completed 10 Argus Cycle Tours. Debby is married to Neil and they have a son, Kieran, and a daughter, Adrienne.

PDM (UCT)

Alex began his music career at the tender age of 9 and went on to learn the trumpet at the age of 12.  He finished his Trinity grade 8 trumpet exam when he was 16 years old.  This progressed into studying a performance diploma at the University of Cape Town.

Alex has played for our former president, Thabo Mbeki and has performed at many prestigious events. He is currently in the process of achieving his FTCL (Trinity Qualification) and still plays with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as an ad hoc trumpeter.

Alex is currently employed full time at Zwaanswyk Academy and at Bishops as a part-time staff member.