M.Mus, UTLM (Unisa)

Jaco Goosen obtained his B.Mus.Ed degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2000. In 2008, he completed his UNISA Teacher’s Licentiate in Piano Teaching under the guidance of the late Nancy Hofmeyer. He went on to earn his Master’s degree (cum laude) in Choral Conducting in 2014 through the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, studying under Juanita Lamprecht and Peter-Louis van Dijk

In 2009, Jaco was appointed Junior Conductor of the prestigious Drakensberg Boys Choir School. In 2016, he returned to Cape Town to take up the position of Director of Music at Rustenburg Girls’ High School, where he taught voice, Subject Music, conducted the Chamber Choir, and served as a House Leader.

During his tenure at Rustenburg, he oversaw numerous musical highlights, including winning several choir competitions, participating in the World Choir Games in 2018, co-ordinating The Armed Man, a collaborative orchestra and choir work with Rustenburg, Rondebosch Boys, and SACS, directing the school musical Annie in 2023, initiating the first collaborative music tour to KwaZulu-Natal in 2024, and co-ordinating and writing a new school song.

Jaco was appointed Director of Music at Bishops in 2025.

Email: jgoosen@bishops.org.za

Mandisa is a dedicated, motivated, and compassionate professional with a strong background in music education administration and youth development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Sciences, majoring in Communication and Public Administration from UNISA, and is currently completing her second degree in Social Work. Her academic and professional journey reflects her deep passion for understanding people, strengthening communities, and contributing meaningfully to the growth and wellbeing of young individuals.

Through her work at Bishops and previously at St Peter’s Preparatory School, she has developed strong interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills, along with valuable experience supporting learners, teachers, and parents. She sees herself as a vital link within the school community—someone who helps bridge communication, foster understanding, and cultivate a supportive and cohesive environment.

In her current role at the Bishops College Music Department, she takes pride in being the “face” of the department, serving as the first point of contact and representing the standards and values with warmth and professionalism. Ensuring that learners, teachers, and parents feel welcomed, supported, and well-informed is central to her work.

She is passionate not only about music, but about the arts as a whole, and firmly believes in the power to inspire creativity, confidence, emotional intelligence, and personal growth in young people.

email:mndebele@bishops.org.za

BMus, PGCE (UCT)

Garth is passionate music educator, performer, and cultural leader with over 20 years of experience in music education at Pinelands High School, where he previously served as the Director of Music and Culture. Holding a Bachelor of Music (Education), a PGCE from the University of Cape Town, and a Certificate in Marketing and Communications

His expertise spans classroom teaching, composition, arrangement, music technology, sound and lighting, piano, flute, and voice instruction, as well as directing major ensembles including choir, orchestra, jazz band, rock and wind bands.

Beyond school, Garth is an active contributor to the broader musical community as a church pianist, vocal coach, accompanist, and composer. His original works include a musical “Eve’s Mark” that he co-produced and directed in 2025, sonatas for flute, violin and trumpet, vocal cycles, and chamber pieces currently being prepared for publication. With a passion for creativity, performance, and youth development, he continues to shape vibrant musical and cultural experiences both within and beyond the classroom.

Email: gkayster@bishops.org.za

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

BMus(Hons), HDE, UPLM

Andrea graduated cum laude from U.C.T. with both clarinet and piano as first instruments and the class medal. She did her Honours degree (cum laude) in clarinet performance with orchestration as the thesis aspect. She was an ad hoc player for the then Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and CAPAB orchestra for many years.

She taught at SACS for 10 years and then joined Bishops in 2002, where she teaches clarinet and subject work. She runs the wind band, accompanies woodwinds and has been involved in many musicals at the College, both as pianist and conductor. As academic HoD, she oversees the running of the academic side of the department.

She is a matric examiner for the practical exams and has been an adjudicator for Eisteddfods and competitions in Cape Town.

In her spare time, Andrea loves spending time with her family and is an avid card player!

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. At Bishops he teaches subject music (harmony, theory and history) and piano. He has also accompanied students and conducted a number of musicals, and has directed the Bishops Orchestra since 2003. In his early years at Bishops his main focus was to develop the music technology programme and in this regard he started the SoundHouse and Recording Studio. He is currently the Deputy Head (Pastoral and Discipline) at Bishops, having finished a stint of 10 years as Housemaster of Gray House. Joc has also managed the 2nd XI Cricket side at Bishops, enjoys any sport on skis and is a very reluctant organist.

email:jwrensch@bishops.org.za

BMus Perf, MMus (Perf)

Frances Brand, a Capetonian clarinettist, began learning the instrument at the age of 10. Her love of classical music developed throughout high school, where she also started saxophone lessons, and she went on to study at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, under Dr Becky Steltzner. She has had masterclasses with David Krakauer, Eddie Daniels, Olivier Patey, Ferdinand Steiner and Jörg Widmann amongst others. She took part in many Stellenbosch International Chamber Music courses, as well as South African National Youth Orchestra courses. She graduated from UCT with a Bachelors degree in Music Performance (Honours) in 2013, thereafter beginning freelance performing, and teaching clarinet and saxophone at various schools around Cape Town.

In September 2015, Frances began her Masters in Performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin, under John Finucane, principal clarinetist of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. While studying towards her degree, she auditioned successfully for the RTÉ NSO Mentoring Scheme in 2016/17, playing with the orchestra for two of their concerts that season. Frances passed her degree with distinction in 2017, and moved back home to South Africa

Since her return, Frances has taken up teaching positions at a few well-established school music departments. She began teaching at Bishops in 2018, and also teaches at St Cyprian’s. She is also one of the founding members of the Intonga Reed Quintet, the first of its kind in South Africa.

Cambridge AS & A Levels, Music Library BMus (Perf.), LTCL

Daniel Brodie is a pianist and pedagogue currently teaching piano and Cambridge AS and A Levels at Bishops Diocesan College. In addition to his teaching, he is sought after as an accompanist and recitalist. He completed his BMus (cum laude) specialising in solo piano performance at the University of Stellenbosch, guided by Nina Schuman and then entered into a period of private study under the tutelage of Dr. Sasha Mammadova.

Daniel established himself as a soloist through notable collaborations with orchestras, including the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, and the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra. Notably, he was selected as one of ten pianists for the live rounds of the 2023 UNISA National Piano Competition. Prior competition success includes winning the Lionel Bowman Beethoven Competition and the Mabel Quick Competition in 2021, as well as third place at the 2019 National Youth Musical Competition. He has had numerous masterclasses with many renowned pianists including Aviram Reichert, Bryan Wallick, Agnese Eglina, Luis Magalhães, and Francois du Toit.

In addition to his solo performances, Daniel also takes a keen interest in chamber music and art song accompaniment. These interests have involved him in events such as the Neues Lied Competition (third place and the South African prize), the Song Makers Guild young artists concerts, and the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival and Piano Symposium.

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.

LRAM

Born in London, Cheryl de Haviland started playing cello at the age of 8. After two years she won a bursary to study music at the Royal College of Music. She has attended cello master classes with, amongst others, Joan Dickson, Christopher Bunting and Jacqueline du Pre.

Cheryl first came to South Africa for the inauguration of the Pretoria State Opera House, and then to Cape Town as co-principal cellist in the CAPAB Orchestra before she moved to the CTSO and the CTPO. Cheryl now enjoys life as a free-lance musician playing solo, chamber and orchestral music. She held the position of cellist and toured with the Cape Town String Quartet for 5 years and played in the 6 celli group I Grandi Violoncellisti. Cheryl acquired a baroque cello in 2010 and plays regularly for the Cape Town Baroque Ensemble. She has extensive teaching experience, coaching both individuals and chamber groups.

BAMus, PGCE (UCT)

Isobel is a dedicated piano teacher and music educator with experience teaching all ages. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University under the guidance of Prof Schumann and Dr. Grobler

She teaches piano at a variety of schools and homes in the Cape Town area. She is passionate about developing confident, expressive young musicians through patient, structured and musically rich pedagogical approaches.

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.

ABRSM Diploma, Bachelors of Information Science

Langa Dubazana is a graduate of The South African College of Music (SACM) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a BMus in Jazz Studies with distinction. It is there he studied drum set, honing his skills as a member of the UCT Big Band for two of his four years of study. A multi-disciplinary musician, his versatility has seen him occupy the stage in Cape Town’s jazz combos, big bands, musical theatre shows and festivals such as: Hubert Laws: Desmond Tutu Memorial Concert (2024), The Fugard Theatre’s production of Kinky Boots The Musical (2019-2020), The UCT Alumni Big Band (2022, 2023) and the Klein Karoo Klassique Festival (2023). As a classical percussionist, he has won the Hendrik Hofmeyr Prize for the Performance of a South African Work (2024) and placed as a runner up in the Schock Foundation Prize for Chamber Music (2023). He is a member of the Ergonomix Percussion Ensemble, where he has featured as a marimba soloist performing at the Baxter Concert Hall.

He has recorded drums on two albums with his indie rock band ‘Champion Trees’, on SAMA nominated jazz album ‘Terra Solus’ by Cape Town based bassist Nick Ford and others.

In his free time Langa enjoys road running and language learning, with a specific interest in Japanese culture.

BMus

Lincoln Isaacs is an accomplished South African trumpeter who studied under renowned brass pedagogue Allister McDonald. His musical journey has taken him across Europe, with performances in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium, where he has earned recognition for his versatility and expressive musicianship.

In South Africa, Lincoln performs regularly with several of the country’s leading orchestras, including the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. His commitment to musical excellence and professional artistry has established him as a highly respected figure within the national orchestral community.

Since 2013, Lincoln has served as the Principal Trumpet of the Western Cape SAPS Band, contributing to high-profile performances, ceremonial occasions, and community music initiatives. His dedication to his craft and to the enrichment of audiences both locally and abroad continues to define his distinguished career.

Shaun Karssen qualified as a sound engineer and spent time working in the recording industry as a recording engineer and session guitarist, before completing his BMus in piano and brass studies. During this time he also studied as a conductor, obtaining his Honours degree in conducting performance in 2014, with a dissertation in Music Sociology. He has extensive experience in solo, orchestral and ensemble performance, as well as orchestra management, and directed the UCT Health Sciences Orchestra from 2019 to 2021. He works as a freelance performer and teacher of music and music technology.

Shaun has taught piano, guitar and French Horn since 2012, as well as trumpet and tuba, to pupils of all ages. He has directed and taught tertiary level courses in composition and music technology at UCT and AFDA, as well as Cape Audio College. He also has outreach experience directing school orchestras at Steenberg High School and as music director of the Clanwilliam Arts Project from 2011 to 2019. Shaun also directed the Jongestudente Malay choir from 2015 to 2019 and is a Cape Malay Choir Board endorsed arranger of Nederlands songs.

Shaun is passionate about teaching music in South Africa, and specifically about growing and nurturing music-related communities and realising students' potential in all aspects. He has many private students, but also teaches in music departments at Bishops, SACS and the private music school GETONCO.

LRAM

Barbara is a cello teacher at the Prep and College. She was born in Bulawayo and began piano at 4 and cello at 12. 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 various chamber groups and orchestras in the Western Cape.

She also teaches privately. At present she is Director of the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop for school going students.

LRAM

Joshua Klein is a Cape Town-based drummer and music educator with over a decade of experience behind the drum kit. Since 2020, he has established himself as a dynamic freelance musician, performing across a wide range of genres and settings.

He has collaborated with notable ensembles and organizations including the Cape Philharmonic UK Orchestra, Marimba Jam, and Moonshine/ShoutMC. As a versatile and expressive performer, Joshua has worked with some of South Africa’s leading jazz artists like Mandla Mlangeni, Ramon Alexander, Afrika Mkhize, and the late Feya Faku to name a few.

A passionate advocate for music education, Joshua holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (specializing in Jazz Studies) from the University of Cape Town, graduating with distinction in 2021. He completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in 2022 and is currently pursuing his Honours degree in Jazz Performance at UCT.

Joshua believes that music is a powerful form of self-expression a meeting point of intellect and creativity. His work reflects a deep commitment to both performance and pedagogy, as he continues to inspire students and audiences alike through rhythm and artistry.

LLM - NWU, MMus (performance)

Lente Louw (mezzo-soprano) is an established oratorio, chamber music and ensemble singer, originally from Pretoria. She holds an LLM from North West University, where she began her voice training under lieder specialist Werner Nel. After relocating to Cape Town, she regularly sang under the baton of the respected Barry Smith from 2008 until his retirement in 2015. She was a student of Nellie du Toit, Emma Renzi and Hanna van Schalkwyk and in 2015 she completed the practical requirements for an MMus in Singing Performance under Minette Pearce at the University of Stellenbosch.

She has performed solo and chamber music recitals with some of South Africa's foremost pianists, and regularly performs with Albie van Schalkwyk. Over the past fifteen years she has developed a keen interest in, and large repertoire of, early music. She has received master classes from Kobie van Rensburg and Lawrence Zazzo. She was a founding member of the Cape Consort, with whom she sang around 60 concerts. In 2017 she founded the Lutesong Duo for early music with lutenist husband Uwe Grosser. They have performed at arts festivals and concert venues in Cape Town and Germany. The Lutesong Duo recorded a successful album, Chiaroscuro in 2018. In 2021 Lente founded and now directs the Lutesong Consort, an ensemble of up to 12 singers and lute-family instruments that specialize in vocal repertoire from mostly the 16th and 17th centuries. They regularly collaborate with Erik Dippenaar’s Cape Town Baroque Orchestra for larger projects and appear yearly at the Cape Town Baroque Festival. She is the resident alto soloist at St Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church in Observatory.

She has been teaching singing at Bishops Diocesan College since 2010 and also teaches at Herschel School for Girls in Cape Town.

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.

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.

BMus, HDE

Craig Nicholas is a Cape Town-born musician who started his musical journey at the Athlone Academy of Music studying first clarinet before deciding on the tuba. Craig has played tuba for ensembles such as the CPO, KZNPO, JPO, SANYO, CPYO, and the SA Defense Force (SANDF) Army Band. Craig has also performed as a soloist with the CPYWE, Cape Winds Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Cape Town Concert Brass. He was the winner of the 1st Southern African Tuba and Euphonium Competition. Craig specializes as a brass instrument teacher and lecturer at Bishops Diocesan Schools and Stellenbosch University certificate program (SANDF).

TCL Diploma

Siyolise began her musical journey in Bloemfontein through the Managing String Programme, starting on the violin at the age of ten before transitioning to the double bass a year later. She continued her studies at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels and later completed a fellowship with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2018, she successfully auditioned for and was appointed to a tutti position with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra

Throughout her career, Siyolise has performed—and continues to perform—on an ad-hoc basis with several of South Africa’s leading orchestras, including the Free State Symphony Orchestra, the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra.

She is also a core member of, and part of the management team for, the South African MIAGI Orchestra. Through MIAGI, she has toured internationally across Europe, performing on renowned stages such as the Elbphilharmonie, the Concertgebouw, and the Konzerthaus in Berlin, among others.

Siyolise is currently based in Cape Town, where she works as a freelance musician and teaches at various schools as well as at the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Academy.

ARCM

After studying bassoon at the Royal College of Music, Glyn took up the position of Principal Bassoon at the then CAPAB orchestra. He later transferred to the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra as Alternate Principal Bassoon. Alongside these duties, he also taught at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre from its inception until 2000.

More recently he has been occupied as a free-lance performer with many ad-hoc orchestras, and as a part-time bassoon teacher at UCT and Stellenbosch University and a variety of schools in the Cape Town area.

BMus Perf & Comp (UCT) Audio Eng. (Cape Audio College) EMP (Cape Audio College)

Jane was born in Cape Town and took to musical instruments from an early age. She started piano at age 6 before discovering her true love, violin, at age 9, where she began with Isabel Arzul. She has successfully sought out her career as a performer, teacher and composer. Her versatile skillset ranges across the music spectrum from classical violin, viola, piano, guitar and flute to playing drumkit in bands, and writing and singing her own songs. Her studies have been extensive, starting at the South African College of music, where she achieved her degree with distinction in 2005, majoring in both performance (under the guidance of the late Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Jürgen Schwietering and Prof. Farida Bacharova) and composition (late Prof. Peter Klatzow). She is also a fully qualified Audio Engineer and uses a multitude of her skills to produce an eclectic and original musical style.

Jane has worked with the majority of musicians in Cape Town and was a part time member of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra for over 20 years. In 2011, she wrote a work for the well-known international movement “Quartet of Peace”, which toured South Africa with her as a member of the quartet. The piece was dedicated to Robert Sobukwe, after being inspired by a day trip to Robben Island.

Jane is currently employed as a violin and viola teacher at Bishops Diocesan School and the Beau Soleil Music Centre and continues to enhance her musical abilities in every way she can.

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 SU, BMus UCT, M Mus (cum laude), UCT

Maria Raynham studied violin under the late Prof. Jack de Wet at the University of Stellenbosch. Following her studies, she was appointed co-principal of the National Chamber Orchestra. From 2003 to 2006, she taught at the esteemed Roedean School in the United Kingdom before returning to South Africa.

Maria has been teaching violin since 1999 and has established herself as a dedicated and inspiring music educator. She has served as the director of the string ensemble at Rustenburg Girls’ High School and is currently the conductor of the Rustenburg Symphony Orchestra.

Maria joined the music staff at Bishops in 2025, where she continues to share her passion for music and her extensive experience with young musicians.

BMus, MMus

John Rojas is the former Head of Woodwinds at Beau Soleil Music Centre in Cape Town where he was director of the Senior Wind Band. At the same time he was adjunct Lecturer in Classical Saxophone Studies at the University of Cape Town.

He holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees with departmental honors from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where he studied oboe with William Criss and saxophone with Dr Douglas Masek.

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.

John 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 Cape Performing Arts Board 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.

John has served as adjudicator for the 2025 inaugural CapeTown Woodwind Competition, POLMUSCA, ABSA National Youth Music Competition, Sanlam National Music Competition, local Eisteddfods, and as external examiner for UNISA, UCT and Stellenbosch University.

As a woodwind specialist he continues to perform regularly with orchestras across South Africa.

BMus (UCT)

Ryan Truter is a South African guitarist and performer who graduated from the South African College of Music (UCT) with a BMus, earning a distinction in Jazz Guitar. During his studies, he was selected to be a member of the renowned UCT Big Band, conducted by Prof. Mike Campbell, further shaping his versatility and ensemble musicianship.

He has performed at major festivals including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Joy of Jazz (JHB), K-Day, HeartFM Music Festival, Jazz on the Rocks in Tietiesbaai, the Cape Town Jazzathon, Feastival (Cabo), and the National Youth Jazz Festival—where he was selected for both the National Schools Big Band and the National Youth Jazz Band.

Ryan also performs regularly in and around Cape Town at various venues, corporate events, and private functions, establishing himself as a sought-after guitarist in the local music scene. He has been part of the backing band for some of South Africa’s most celebrated artists, including Emo Adams, Craig Lucas, Jimmy Nevis, Tarryn Lamb, Early B, Kurt Darren, and Paxton Fielies.

His work across genres continues to solidify his reputation as one of South Africa’s exciting and versatile emerging guitarists.

MMus, BMus (Ed), LRSM

Debby has been a part-time music teacher at Bishops since 1991, where she taught at the Pre-Prep, the Prep and College campuses. In between teaching at Bishops, she trained both Junior and Senior Choirs at Bergvliet Primary, and started the Music Department at Forres Preparatory. Since 2018, she has only taught at College. Apart from teaching, she is an avid chorister (True Voices and St Michael’s and all Angels), plays the viola for various amateur chamber music groups, and is a competitive tennis player and cyclist.

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

Vasti Zeeman-Knoesen was born in Cape Town, 1989. She graduated with her Bachelor of Music degree, specialising in Opera, at the University of Cape Town, where she also received the class medal. She went on to receive her Post Graduate Diploma in Performance in 2014. While studying under Kamal Khan and Hanna van Schalkwyk at UCT, Vasti was privileged enough to perform the Mozartian opera roles of Cherubino, Dorabella and Zerlina. She also portrayed the roles of Mother Mary in Poulenc's The 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. During her studies she sang Schubert’s Fraueliebe-und Leben in the final round of the Schock Foundation Chamber Music Competition. During this time, she received master classes from renowned singers and teachers, including Michelle Breedt, Daniel Washington and Elisabeth Scholl and went on to take lessons with the renowned, Minette du Toit-Pearce.

At the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival and Aardklop, 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 famous Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Stabat Mater, in many Bach cantatas and Mozart masses, the Rachmaninoff Vespers, and in Arvo Part’s St. Matthew’s Passion and Stabat Mater, as well as Pergolesi’s and Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater. Vasti has recorded many voice overs for radio and television advertisements and recorded solo vocals for the soundtrack of the movie, The Boda Boda Thieves. Vasti travelled to Scotland, performing in Glasgow Opera’s debut production Anamchara. She also sang the ensemble role, Klant 1, in Braam du Toit’s opera Poskantoor, which won the award for best production at the Clover Aardklop Festival. Vasti sang the role of Olga in the debut production of the South African musical Calling Us Home. She also sang in Gabrielle Goliath’s Elegy at the National Arts Festival and went on to perform at the gallery opening of Ruby Swinney’s art exhibition at Zeitz MOCAA. She debuted her own show, The 27 Club, at two sold out performances and went on in performing the same show at the US Woordfees in 2019. At the same festival she was privileged to be part of the Musiek en Liriek: 40 Jaar concert at Spier Wine farm.

Just before the pandemic she performed as the mezzo soloist in Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man in the Cape Town City Hall and in the Durufle Requiem and Bach’s Ascension Oratorio in the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch. She has performed Dvorak’s Mass in D in the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch and at St George's Cathedral with the Cape Town Symphony Choir. Vasti is also a member of the Lutesong Consort where they focus on baroque repertoire, which includes her role in the opera Les Art Florissant and many Cape Town Baroque Orchestra collaborations.

Vasti has been a singing teacher at Bishops Diocesan College for the past 11 years and Westerford High School for the past 4 years, and has adjudicated many singing competitions, eisteddfods and scholarship auditions. Recently Vasti was one of the soloists in Mikhael Subotzky’s Prologue, composed by Jonathan Blair, which was recorded and debuted in London. Vasti also directed and performed her production, Classic Calabash, a CTMA production, at Woordfees 2023 and was nominated for two Woordtrofees and two Fiesta awards. You can see Vasti on the series Klanke van my Hart on ViaTV and on Die Tollie en Manila show on Showmax, where she leads the band.

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

Erina has been involved at the College teaching piano for a number of years. Achievements with Bishops pupils include 2015, Finalist and 2nd prize winner in the piano category of the National Youth Competition. 2020, First prize winner of the Yamaha International Music Gulf Competition. 2022, semi-finalist in the Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. And in the same year, first prize winner in the International Youth Music Competition (classical section)

BMus

Christiaan Hartman began his musical journey in a small farming town in Limpopo, where he started piano lessons at the age of four—an experience that ignited a lifelong passion for music.

He completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Pretoria in 2018 under the guidance of Professor Joseph Stanford and Dr. Ben Schoeman.

Christiaan launched his professional music career in Pretoria, working as a choir accompanist and piano teacher at various schools.

After moving to Cape Town in 2024, he continued offering piano and guitar lessons and took up a position as a lecturer at a private music college. Christiaan is also active in a range of creative projects outside the field of education, working as a session musician, composer, and performer with several local music groups.