Music Academy
The Silvermine Music Academy opened its doors in January 2001. We offer tuition in a wide range of instruments. We have experienced, qualified and dedicated teachers. Individual tuition is offered in piano, violin (for children only), recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drumming, voice (from ages 16 and up), tuba, trumpet, trombone and French horn. Group lessons are offered in steelband, recorder, violin and an introduction to music.
Brenda Feldtmann
Voice/ Piano
Brenda Feldtmann was born in Knysna and after matric obtained her B.Mus Honours at the University of Stellenbosch. She has received vocal training under Elizabeth Heyns, Virginia Oosthuizen and Nellie du Toit. She has appeared as a soloist with various orchestras and choirs, as well as solo recitals. She has received merit certificates from UNISA for excellent theory and piano teaching.
Ann Macfarlane
Piano
Ann Macfarlane graduated with the degree of B.Mus from Glasgow University and came to South Africa in 1972 where she worked in the Music department of the SABC in Johannesburg until her marriage in 1975, after which she taught Piano and Theory privately, and for many years, played and composed much music for several ballet schools. She has lived in George and Durban, where she taught at various schools and was Musical Director for the inaugural George Pantomime. She moved to Noordhoek 10 years ago, and has been closely involved with the Fish Hoek High School, teaching Piano and Theory, and assisting with the past three musicals-as Musical Director for "The Boyfriend" and Assistant Musical Director for "Grease".
She plays in various chamber music groups, for which she continually composes and arranges much music. Ann is married to Roger, an electrical engineer and they have four children.
Eunice Jenkins
Clarinet/Saxophone/Recorder
With an uncle who ran his own dance band, a cousin who worked with Johnny Dankworth, a saxophonist father and friends such as session player Jimmy Wallace and Don Rendell, Eunice Jenkins grew up with music as a natural background. She joined a local orchestra at a young age and after graduating from Varndean Grammar School for Girls in Brighton, England, went on to perform for a popular ballet company and other musical functions. Only after arriving in South Africa and being invited to teach for a local music centre, did she discover her real passion for teaching. With no two pupils being alike, Eunice finds keeping up with new teaching methods both challenging and fulfilling. Her goal is to teach music as a life skill rather than just something to obtain high marks in.
Retha Strydom
Piano
Retha grew up in Northwest Province and started with piano lessons in grade 1. She received a music degree from Potchefstroom University and won a Music Scholarship competition. Thereafter she completed the Higher Education Diploma. She taught music at Dr Malan High School in Meyerton for 12 years. During her teaching career, she received a merit promotion from the Department of Education. She also completed a three level course at the Orff Schulwerk Society of South Africa.
She currently teaches piano at Fish Hoek Primary School and at the Music Academy at Sun Valley Primary School. Retha's passion in life is piano teaching and she hopes that she can pass this passion for music on to all her music students.
Titia Blake
Violin
Titia started her career as a violinist at the age of ten. She was chosen to tour Europe and Israel as part of the South African national youth orchestra whilst at school. She has been playing chamber music almost as long as she has been playing the violin. After studying for a B.Mus at UCT, she joined the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra as first violin. She left after sixteen years to pursue a freelance career as a chamber musician, playing string quartets and violin/cello duos. The Violin/Guitar duo formed 5 years ago when Zevenwacht Wine Estates wanted a sophisticated touch at their Winetaster of the Year award. Since then they have played at numerous functions at the many beautiful venues Cape Town and its environs have to offer. Seeing a niche in the market, they have recorded a CD of light classical music such as Rondo alla Turca by Mozart and Mentis Czardas.
Michael Blake
Brass Instruments
Michael received his doctorate from the University of Iowa in 1981. Earlier degrees came from Oklahoma and Northwestern Universities. His teaching experience includes one year as a Jnr High Band Director in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as graduate assistant at the University of Iowa for five years and as associate professor of trumpet at Jacksonville State University for three years. Dr Blake was principal Trumpet of the Nurnberg Philharmonic Orchestra for ten years, during which time he also played with the Bamberg Symphony, Munich Philharmonic, Suisse Romande and numerous radio orchestras. After joining the CTSO as principal trumpet in 1986, he was featured as soloist several times. At present Dr Blake is lead trumpet in the Johny Cooper Orchestra, as well as the trumpet teacher at the University of Cape Town.
Charles Knighton-Pullin
Guitar
Charles Knighton-Pullin took music as a subject throughout high school and then set off to study music at UCT. Charles has a Performers Diploma in Music (PDA) in classical guitar. He is currently teaching (part time) at Bishops High and plays for the corporate function band "Almost Famous".
Charles has played in two cover bands and various original bands since being involved in the music industry. His major influences include Jason Becker, Steve Vai, Michael Romeo, Yngwie Malmsteen, Reb Beach, Marty Friedman and Joe Satriani. "Music, to me, is so rooted in my whole being, that it would be unthinkable to choose any other career. I find it to be the most challenging task I have ever attempted and the beauty is that it's one that is never ending.
Charles musical taste ranges from Turkish folk music to death metal. "I think variety is what makes me a special guitarist. It is important to learn from as many sources as possible especially if you are in a cover band or session player." Charles has spent many years, and still is, focusing on his technique. "My main aim (starting out) was to be able to play anything I wanted or needed to." He specializes in alternative picking, economy picking, sweeping, tapping, harmonics, whammy-bar usages, legato as well as various classical right hand techniques.
Gari Crawford
Guitar
Gari has been a professional guitarist for over 20 years, teaching, performing and recording a wide range of music. His first love is jazz, but he started off studying and playing classical guitar, and then moved to afro, pop, blues and jazz styles. Gari began teaching talented young musicians in 1995. In the last two years, the latest band from this project performed at venues including the Baxter Theatre (Edujazz), the V & A Waterfront, Spier Wine Estate and also appeared on television in May 2007. As well as tutoring individual guitar pupils, he also specializes in ensemble work; from duos to fully fledged bands where he works with guitar, bass and keyboards.
Imogen Buchanan
Violin and Viola
Teaching is my great passion in life and I always look forward to sharing my love of music and the Violin with pupils of any age and ability. Whilst I studied the Suzuki method, I am also happy to combine Suzuki with more tradional methods of teaching. I have entered many pupils for the ABRSM exams (with great success!) and am happy to work towards them, if they provide a positive goal for the pupil.
Devin Kiplin Jones
Drumming
Devin graduated with the degree Performance of B Music Jazz from Cape Town College of Music in 2007. He has been teaching since 2003 at various schools. He has prepared and entered students for Trinity College Rock School and traditional examinations. For which a 100% pass rate has been achieved.
David Van Niekerk
Guitar
David started playing guitar at the age of 13 and began lessons soon after. He took music as a subject in High School with Michael Hoole. After Matriculating he persued a musical degree in Classical Guitar at UCT specialising in Performance. He is currently in his fourth and final year under James Grace. He has been involved in various competitions and in 2011 made it to the semi finals of the Avril Kinsey Guitar Competion.David has had the privilidge of having master classes with several international and local classical guitarists including Jonothan Clossley and Simon Wynberg.
Jeremy Olivier
Guitar
Jeremy started playing guitar at the age of 14. In 1995 he decided to move to Cape Town in order to study at UCT's College of Music, and graduated in 1999 with a BMUS Honours in Jazz performance. Since then he has established himself as a guitarist and vocalist in Cape Town playing alongside some of the finest musicans in South Africa has to offer, Shannon Mowday, Frank Paco, Amanda Tiffin, Sammy Webber, Shaun Johannes, Trevor Dongini, Rob Watson and Neil Ettridge. He has also performed with many international stars including George Benson, Katherine Jenkins, Jonothan Butler, Sibongile Khumalo, Sarah Theron, Sonja Herholdt, Elsebe Zietsman Gian Groen, Dozi and many more. His repertoir is varied and he is a versatile musician covering many genres of music.
Silvermine Music Academy rules and regulations
- Students must be in possession of, or have access to, an instrument, except for steelband and drumming(If assisstance needed please contact us)
- Students have to enrol for a minimum period of six months.
- Students playing an orchestral instrument are strongly advised to play in an ensemble.
- Students have to make satisfactory progress to enable them to continue with their lessons.
- Students may not be absent from classes without a valid reason. The teacher has to be notified 24 hours in advance (if possible) if a student cannot attend classes. Lessons missed by students are forfeited, including lessons missed because of school related reasons.(i.e Assessments, Outings etc)
- Make-up lessons will be arranged when the teacher is unable to teach at the required time.
- There are no lessons on public holidays.
- Registration forms must be filled in annually.
- R80.00 per family is payable upon registration.
- No Student will be accepted without a signed registration form.
- Music fees have to be paid strictly in advance (first week of the term). No lessons will commence without 50% payment of fees.
- Proof of payment must be sent to sue@sunvalleygroup.co.za
- Individual lesson fees may be paid in two installments (half at the beginning of the term and half in the middle of the term).
- An additional fee will be charged for extra lessons to prepare for concerts and examinations.
- Accompanist fees are extra, should one be required for a performance, examination or Eisteddfod.
- An administration fee of R75.00 will be charged for late payments.
- Notice of one term is required if the student wishes to discontinue lessons (not negotiable).
Music Academy Terms for 2011
Registration: 13 January 2012 Download Registration Form
First Term: 16 January - 16 March
Second Term: 10 April - 15 June
Third Term: 16 July - 21 September
Fourth Term: 8 October - 30 November
Music Academy Concerts
30 May - Staff and Student Concerts
15 August - Student Concerts
5 September - Gala Concert & Prize Giving
14 November - Student Concerts
Fundraising Events
18 May - Music Marathon
30 May - Staff and Student Concert
Pro Musica Divinia Bursary Fund
The Pro Musica Divinia Orchestra held it’s audience captive at their first concert of the year held at St Norbert’s Priory, Kommetjie.
Mozart and Bach’s music was played to perfection. The guest appearance of Daniel Fisher who sang Schubert’s Ave Maria delighted the audience. Daniel, who was a Silvermine Music Academy student, is the first recipient of the Pro Musica Bursary which will enable him to study voice training at the University of Cape Town under the tuition of Associate professor Virginia Davids.