Where did I Train?

After studying teaching at RAU (Rand Afrikaans University -- Now  Johannesburg University) I started studying singing as a private student  with Joyce Barker (WITS University Johannesburg) in 1983. In 1984 I moved to Cape Town where I started private study with Wayne Long  (Principal Baritone at CAPAB between 1983 and 1989).

It was my ambition to be an operatic tenor (and my training was in  opera) but since I was working as a professional singer already, mostly  in musical theatre and cabaret, this dream remained largely unfulfilled.  I was a member of the permanent chorus of CAPAB for about 3 years, but even during that time I did quite a bit of musical theatre. In 1989 I  returned to Johannesburg and continued to study with Joyce Barker until  her death in 1992.See my full CV below.

I have taught singing succesfully since 1994. I teach  all styles, basing my technique loosely on what I learn from opera, but  mostly from what I learnt in practise in my years in the industry and other sources I have found.

The backbone of learning to sing is practise.

If you think that you can get away without it you better give up now. Even if you have the best voice in the world, you will lose it if you don’t practise it. It is like a muscle -- maintain it and it will seve you well, but neglect it and it will let you down when you need it most.

I use simple exercises which focus on natural placement and relaxation of the jaw, which are closely linked. I do believe that suport is fundamental. Even though most contemporary singing doesn’t require long, sustained legato lines accomplishing the bridge between the several registers in each voice is only achieved through suport in conjunction with placing.

PRACTISE CD

You can order a CD with the exercises and instructions on by emailing me

Students get the CD as part of the package

On the CD

• Exercises with and without voice
• Word files with instructions on how to do exercises
• 3 Backtrax of your choice (if they are available)

 Stage:

Let it All Hang Out: 1983 (Directed by Trudie Taljaard directs) 4  Hander with Paul Ditchfield and Elzabe Zietsman

A Funny thing happened on the way to the Forum:1983 (Directed by Louis Burke directs) a Protean

Barnum:1984 (Directed by Louis Burke for PACT) Chorus (Vita Award)

OPERA AS MEMBER OF CAPAB OPERA CHORUS 1984-1989:

 Lucia Di Lammermoor

Aida

Cavelleria Rusticana

Die Rosenkavalier

Die Meistersinger (role as Apprentice)

Kings of Rock:CAPAB 1985 Chorus

The Sound of Music: 1985 (Directed by David Matheson CAPAB) understudy Rolf

Hello Dolly 1986 (David Matheson directs for CAPAB) Barnaby Tucker

Pirates of Penzance 1986 (Geoffrey Sutherland directs for PACT) Frederic

My Fair Lady: 1987 (David Matheson directs for PACOFS) Freddy  Einsford-Hill

Hello Dolly: 1987 (David Matheson directs for PACOFS) Barnaby Tucker

Joseph: 1988 (Claire Robins for PACOFS) Benjamin

FIDELIO: 1989 (Evelyn Dahlberg for Pro Musica Roodepoort) Jaquino

Handel’s Messiah (Conducted by Raymond Hughes for Cape Town Symphony orchestra) Tenor Soloist

Big Top Tussle 1989 (Produced by Duncan Bouwer for Pied Piper  Promotions)

The Victorian Songbook 1989 (Doug Thistlewhite directs) 4 Hander

March of the Falsetto 1990 (Terrence Shank directs for Windybror Theatre) Whizzer

HMS Pinafore: (Geoffrey Sutherland directs for NAPAC) Ralph Rackstraw

Godspell: 1990 (Terrence Shank directs for CAPAC Easter Cape) Jesus

Joseph: 1991 (Richard Loring directs for PACT) Simeon

Oliver: (Joyce Levinson directs for Johannesburg Children’s Theatre  Company) Mr Bumble/Monks

La Belle Helene: 1991 (Janice Honeyman directs for CAPAB) Ajax

Grease: 1992 (Richard Loring directs for PACT) Doody

A Touch of Webber and a Taste of Rice: 1992 (Richard Loring directs for  Sound Stage) Tenor Part

Sinbad’s African Adventures: 1993 (Janice Honeyman directs for PACT) Fred

During all these years, many children's shows for various directors and  companies

 # Maiden Breast (Pirates of Penzance PACT, live recording 1986)

 # O Sole Mio

# Love Changes Everything

# Time To Say  Goodbye

# I Can’t Smile  Without You

# You Are  The Sunshine Of My Life

#  Foundation Fun Song (own composition)