Swallow 15 Music SchoolI was initially attracted to Swallow15's Strubensvalley branch because of their core values and belief system. To be more specific, I resonated with the focus of the classes being to encourage enjoyment of the music. Bi-annual practical workshops also give students the opportunity for practical application of their instruments. The aim of the classes was clearly the development of performance-geared musicians who have solid technique to back it up.
My role at Swallow15 was that of teacher and head of the Vocal Department. This entailed putting together syllabi and reference material ie. selecting repertoire and putting together the appropriate technical exercises for the various levels. Tantamount to all of this was my standard role conducting day-to-day lessons based on a syllabus that I had a hand in putting together. As a part of the workshop programme, one of my responsibilities was to facilitate and present workshops for my instrument... the Voice. |
The Barnyard TheatreThe Barnyard Theatre is a chain of theatre-style venues that traditionally host Musicals and Musical Review shows. Spread all across South Africa in all the major central areas and beyond, their formulaic shows continue to draw crowds five to six days a week throughout the year.
Having never worked as a professional singer before, the Barnyard was a necessary jump into the deep end of live performance. With shows running up to six nights a week, and a variety of musical stylings from Rock and Reggae, to Soul and Salsa... mine was an intensive yet extensive crash-course. |
The National Children's TheatreWhere the Barnyard Theatre taught me the basics of being on stage and performing, The Johannesburg National Children's Theatre forged my craft in the fires of intense pressure. The fact that the core audience is untainted and rely on instinctive reactions for their feedback meant I was performing in front of some of the harshest critics to not be on a payroll. With multiple costume and scene changes in a limited space of time... and through alternating characters, I learnt to stay calm while delivering. This experience was also great training for the teaching I would later be involved in, particularly the work I would do with children between the ages of seven and fourteen.
|
Vista NewspaperThis was my first professional job out of university, at the local newspaper back home in Welkom. My duties started out with typing press releases and taking photo's (mainly sports) to being a features and sports writer and important part of the team.
|