Dr. Becky Steltzner: Clarinet (Co-director)

Dr Steltzner is a clarinettist, a Senior Lecturer, and the Head of Woodwind & Chamber Music Studies at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town, and the Deputy Director of the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop. She has been involved with this prestigious workshop since 1990.

She played with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra for nearly 20 years, and during that time taught and gave chamber music concerts part-time. Since then, the roles have been somewhat reversed; she is a full-time lecturer at UCT, and still contributes to solo, orchestral, and chamber music in and around Cape Town.

Becky has given several important world premieres of South African works, including both the Clarinet Sonata and Concerto of Hendrik Hofmeyr. In 2016, she was awarded a PhD for her work on the history of the clarinet in South Africa.

As a chamber musician, she has played with the Amadeus Winds, and the Blackwood Clarinet Quartet, and has been involved in many other concerts with different groupings. She regularly plays concerts with quite a few of the other Franschhoek instructors.

Her woodwind quintet, Hambani Kakuhle Kwela, has been published in the United States, and from time to time, Franschhoekians will get to play various other of her arrangements and compositions.

Barbara Kennedy: Cello (Director)

Born in Bulawayo in 1953, Barbara Kennedy began piano lessons at age 4 and cello at 12. She studied in London as a Scholar of the Royal Schools of Music for 5 years and thereafter returned to South Africa to continue her career as an orchestral cellist and teacher.

Her journey through life has always been accompanied by music, apart from a period of 5 years when she was a restaurateur. Barbara now enjoys a variety of musical activities including the Michaelis Players, I Grandi Violoncellisti, and the Palm Strings Quartet, as well as spontaneous music making with colleagues on a broad spectrum of instruments such as didgeridoo, drums, guitar, monochord, lyre and Hang, a new instrument from Switzerland.

She is currently resident cello teacher at Bishops Diocesan College and Co-director of the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop.

Juan Luis Muñoz: Violinist-Conductor

Chilean violinist-conductor, JUAN LUIS MUNOZ, has made South Africa his home for the past 17 years, playing a very active and vital role in the country's musical life.

Born in Santiago, he studied under Prof. Fernando Ansaldi and Prof. Sergio Prieto at the Catholic University of Santiago (Chile). There, he was concertmaster of the University of Santiago Symphony Orchestra and toured throughout Chile, Argentina and Peru as soloist and concertmaster of the MINEDUC Orchestra.

Mr. Munoz moved to South Africa as sub-principal violinist of the CAPAB Orchestra. He has since then performed numerous concerts as leader of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Johannesburg Music Initiative, Free State Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, and as conductor of the Cape Town Baroque Ensemble which he founded.

A strong advocate of chamber music and an energetic mentor, Mr. Munoz took an important part in the development of the Franschhoek Mountain Chamber Music Festival, acting as coach and conductor for what has became one of the most important annual events in the country. He has performed throughout South Africa in various ensembles, including the CAPAB String Quartet, the Michaelis Chamber Music Players, the Pro Musica Trio, and the Rhodes Trio. From 2000-2004, he led the New Odeion String Quartet, the only resident university string quartet in the country, while lecturing in violin at the Free State University in Bloemfontein. At present, he is Lecturer in Violin and Viola at the Rhodes University.

In recent years, Mr. Munoz has combined his instrumental expertise, his orchestral experience and his natural ability and enthusiasm to work with musicians of diverse backgrounds into yet another passion - conducting. He has conducted concerts and concerto festivals in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Grahamstown (CTPO, ACMP, Rhodes String Ensemble), and Bulgaria (New Symphony Orchestra of Sofia).

Mr. Munoz has recorded various CD's with the New Odeion String Quartet and as Conductor of the Amateur Chamber Music Players. His performances have been recorded for SABC and Classic FM and broadcasted on FMR.

Farida Bacharova: Violin

In 1992, Farida, then the youngest female concertmaster in Russia, was the soloist for more than forty performances of ballets such at The Golden Age, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake in Tokoyo's Metropolitan Hall. During twelve years of experience performing in Russian and on international tours, she has appeared as a soloist for ballets and as a symphonic soloist in many of the world's major halls, including Fisher and Carnegie Hall in New York, Champs d'Elysees in Paris, Konsertgebou in Amsterdam, Berlin's Schauspiel Haus, Gevandhaus in Leipzig, Tonhalle in Zurich as well as the Moscow Conservatory Main Hall and Tchaikovsky Hall. A highlight of her orchestral career was a joint-concert with the New York Philharmonic, under the baton of Zubin Metha.

As a solo recitalist in Moscow, Farida has performed in the Chamber Hall, Rachmaninov Hall and White Hall with international acclaimed pianist, Natalie Trull. She appeared as a soloist in the City Hall, Cape Town. Farida has appeared as soloist with the Cape Town philharmonic orchestra and was met with critical acclaim. Works performed includes the Mendelssohn Concerto for Violin and Piano, Mozart Synphonia Concertante and the world premiere of the David Earle Violin Concerto. Farida regularly performs at major chamber festivals such as the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, Grahamstown Festival and the Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees. At these events she performs in the premiere of many contemporary compositions alongside world renowned musicians such as Olga Kern, Daniel Rowland, Francois du Toit, amongst many others.

As head of South African College of Music's String Department, Farida has been fundamental in the promotion of the String Department across South Africa and abroad. Master classes arranged include such artists as Alexander Gilman, Jan Repko, Maria Kliegel. Farida has arranged conductors on the international conducting circuit to work and conduct various symphony concerts with the UCT Symphony Orchestra. Most recently UCT was privileged to have Maestro Victor Yampolski and Maestro Bernard Guiller on the podium.

Lucia Di Blasio Scott: Violin

Italian born Lucia Di Blasio Scott started her performing career at the age of six in Sanremo (Italy). She has been soloist with the F. Sfilio Chamber Orchestra both in Italy and France and was one of the youngest to obtain a Music Degree from the G. Verdi Conservatoire in Turin, at age eighteen. Lucia moved to South Africa in 1983 as Vice-Principal First Violin in the newly formed Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In Cape Town since 1993, she has been a Principal in the CTSO as well as the CTPO.

She is no longer involved with any of the Cape Orchestra, and is mainly dedicated to playing Chamber Music and teaching. She is lead violinist with the Michaelis Players as well as principal guest with the Baroque Series 4by2 organized by Prof. Shirley Gie.

Marina Louw: Viola

Marina Louw obtained a B.Mus (cum laude) at the UOFS, majoring in viola performance under the tuition of John Wille, and an M.Mus (cum laude) in chamber music at the US. In 2003 and 2005 Marina studied in Oxford with the well-known Hungarian violinist and teacher, Kató Havas.

At present Marina is Head of Beau Soleil Music Centre where she teaches violin and viola, and conducts various ensembles. She has also lectured on a part time basis at the University of Stellenbosch. Marina freelances for the CPO and is a keen chamber musician who performs regularly with various chamber groups. In 2000 she joined the Cape Town String Quartet for a concert tour to South America.

Marina has adjudicated the Sanlam Primary Schools Competition and the ATKV Prelude Competition, as well as several local eisteddfodau. She has also been part of the coaching team at the annual Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop since 1998.

Erich Oskar Huetter: Cello

Born in 1973, Erich Oskar Huetter studied with Hildgund Posch at the University of Music in Graz and Reinhard Latzko at the Musikakademie in Basel where in 1999 he gained the soloist's diploma and teachers diploma (both with highest distinction).

He then went on to study with the exceptional cellists Janos Starker at Indiana University and Ralph Kirshbaum at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and got further artistic stimulation through Mischa Maisky at the Accademia Chigiana Siena.

While still a student, Erich won numerous prizes at international competitions. He performed as a soloist under important conductors such as Daniel Barenboim.

As a soloist Erich has performed in major concert halls including the Musikverein and Konzerthaus (Vienna), Mozarteum (Salzburg), Brucknerhaus (Linz), Beethoven-Haus (Bonn), Royal Castle (Warsaw), Lisinski Hall (Zagreb), Kennedy Center and Library of Congress (Washington), UN-Headquarters and Austrian Culture Forum (New York City), Gonfalone (Rome), Imola (Emilia Romagna Festival), Jin Mao Concert Hall and Shanghai Conservatory (Shanghai), Casino (Basel), Bucharest (Sonoro Festival), Stefaniensaal (Graz), Jerusalem Music Center, Philharmonie (Berlin), Glocke (Bremen), Valencia (Philharmony), National Conservatory Singapore and Schleswig Holstein Music Festival.

Erich is a member of Hyperion Ensemble, a classical string sextet and the Arcus Ensemble Vienna. In recitals he regulary performs with the Viennese pianist Paul Gulda.

Erich is founder and artistic director of the renowned "Styrian Chamber Music Festival" and the festival "Sounding Jerusalem" in the Old City of Jerusalem. "Sounding Jerusalem" presents an European chamber music festival as well as an intercultural platform for young musicians from Palestine, Israel and Europe. (www.soundingjerusalem.com)

Recently he founded the social-cultural initiative "haus.kultur" Die Steirischen Nachbarschaftskonzerte in Graz/Austria. (www.amuse.co.at) Numerous appearances on radio and television as well as CD recordings have made him known to a wider public.

Tanja Schmid: Dance

Born in Graz, Austria, Tanja (Tanima) Schmid received her first ballet lessons at the age of 5. Classically trained under the direction of Diana Ungureanu, she graduated from the academies of the renowned Graz Opera and State Opera Ballet Vienna. During those years she appeared in numerous productions and performances, such as The Nutcracker and The Magic Flute.

Exploring new ways of physical expression, Tanja became involved in contemporary dance, dance theatre, modern dance (after Martha Graham) and pole art. She is not only an active dancer, but also a teacher.

She recently set out as a pedagogue for free improvisation, dance theatre and classical ballet.

Elsabé Pretorius: Flute

Elsabé Pretorius started her flute studies in 1971 in Pretoria where she obtained the BMus Performer's Degree with distinction. In 1975 she was appointed lecturer at the Potchefstroom Conservatoire, whilst playing ad hoc with the SABC Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the SABC Junior Orchestra, performing as soloist on tour in Namibia in 1975. As principal flute of the SA Youth Orchestra she participated in the International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Aberdeen Scotland in the same year and again toured Europe in 1978.

In 1978 Elsabé furthered her flute studies in London under Lenore Smith and William Bennett. Two years later she settled in Cape Town, where she played ad hoc flute and piccolo with the Cape Town Symphony and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestras. In 1982 she obtained the Unisa Performer's Licenciate with distinction and started teaching at Beau Soleil Music Centre and Herschel Senior and Preparatory Schools. In the same year she and her husband Henk, who plays the oboe, founded the Amadeus Winds, performing widely in the Cape Peninsula in concert halls and on various wine farms, including Nederburg, La Motte and Bouchard-Finlayson. In June 2008 they performed in the Baxter Concert Club Series.

Elsabé continued to freelance with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and joined them on tour in the Canarie Islands in 2000. Since 1992 she has been on the part-time staff of the University of Cape Town and joined the Certificate Program of the University of Stellenbosch in 2010.

Elsabé has been involved as a coach at the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop since 1992 and at the Stellenbosch International Festival of Chamber Music in 2010.

Elsabé and Henk have two daughters, Annicq and Maryse. They live in Hout Bay and enjoy hiking in the mountains, making and listening to music, reading, cooking together, trying new recipes and enjoying the lovely wines of the Cape.

Abigail Le Roux: Violin

Abigail graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2000 with a BMus degree specialising in Music Education. She studied classical piano with Helena van Heerden and violin with Jürgen Schwietering. She was placed on the Dean's Merit List for 4 consecutive years and was awarded a Distinction for Ensemble in her final year. She played violin in the UCT Symphony Orchestra and piano in various chamber groups. In 2000 she was invited to play in the Rheinland Pfalz Youth Orchestra in Germany.

Abigail has had the privilege of teaching music at Westerford High School, Braeburn International School (Tanzania) and now teaches at Bridge House in Franschhoek. She is passionate about ensemble playing. In 2013, under her guidance, the Bridge House Ensemble achieved 3rd place at the Stellenbosch University National Ensemble Competition. She also continues to perform both her instruments on an ad hoc basis. Abigail and her family reside in Franschhoek.

Francois Le Roux: Saxophone

Francois was born in Grahamstown, South Africa, where he started piano lessons at the age of 6. He completed his schooling in Port Elizabeth where he played the trumpet for 3 years before moving on to study the saxophone from the age of 14. In 1997, Francois was chosen to play 1st Alto saxophone in the South African National Schools Jazz Band during the National Youth Jazz Festival held in Grahamstown.

After passing his Grade 8 ABRSM saxophone examination with distinction, Francois went on to study for a BMus degree at the University of Cape Town, specialising in Jazz Composition & Arrangement. At UCT, Francois studied the saxophone with American saxophonists René McLean and Dr Mike Rossi, as well as South African saxophonists Buddy Wells and Shannon Mowday; Improvisation with Dr Andrew Lilly and Prof Mike Campbell; Arrangement & Composition with South African guitarist Darryl Andrews; and Composition & Orchestration with the South African composer Prof Peter Klatzow. During his BMus studies at UCT, Francois was a member of the UCT Big Band for 4 years. At the end of 2006, he completed his MMus post-graduate degree in Composition at UCT. Francois has been an ad hoc member of the Jonny Cooper Orchestra for more than 10 years and in 2010 he had the privilege of performing with the South African Jazz legend Robbie Jansen, during a benefit concert held in Franschhoek.

Since graduating from UCT, Francois has taught music at Westerford High School (Cape Town), Braeburn International School (Arusha, Tanzania) and now teaches at Bridge House School in Franschhoek. He started the Westerford Big Band during his career at that school and he currently directs the Bridge House Jazz Band and Bridge House College Marimba Ensemble, while heading up the FET Music phase of the school.

Francois leads the dynamic World/Jazz music group called Tarabu. The group released their debut album, Journey to the Unexpected, in November 2013. They continue to perform regularly at various venues in Cape Town and the Boland, as well as for corporate and private functions.

Tatiana Thaele: Flute

Cape Town based flutist, Tatiana, has experienced a diverse and exciting career so far and is a passionate soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, teacher and entrepreneur. She has appeared as a soloist with various orchestras across the country including the Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. She has recently been touring South Africa with conductor Richard Cock as a soloist in The Last Night of the Proms. She has performed at various music festivals including the Suidoosterfees, The Hermanus Fynarts Festival and the Klein Karoo Klassique.

Tatiana has participated in various national and international music summer schools and festivals including the International Flute Academy in Fiss, the Neuberger Kulturtage and the International Academy of Music in Italy. She has attended master-classes with the likes of Susan Milan, Hansgeorg Schmeiser and Philippe Boucly amongst others.

She graduated with her BMus and MMus with distinction at the University of Cape Town under the tutelage of Bridget Rennie-Salonen. In 2014, she was invited to study with Professor Hansgeorg Schmeiser at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. While there, she worked with the solo flutist of the Vienna Philharmonic, Walter Auer as well as the renowned American avant-garde composer Christian Wolff.

She has recently returned from a trip to the USA were she presented her masters research at the Performing Arts Medicine Association Symposium. Her research dealt with playing-related health issues in student musicians in South Africa.

She was the runner-up of the ATKV Muziq competition in 2016 as well as a semifinalist and prize winner of the 2016 SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition. She was also a winner of the 2014 Grahamstown Music Competition and a category runner-up in the 2007 Artscape National Youth Competition.

Tatiana has worked on several music productions over the past few years, including the Violin Girl, Metamorphoses and Contrasts. She has also started a partnership between the Little Libraries project, aiming to bring music and storytelling to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her many years of teaching children of all backgrounds has made her very passionate about developing the arts in the youth of South Africa.

In 2016 Tatiana started a Youtube channel and has recently started a close collaboration with The Flute Center of New York.