TRAINING:

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

CV

Among my credits are:

• Barnaby Tucker in “Hello Dolly” for Capab and Pacofs (x 2) with Judy Page
• Freddy in “My Fair Lady” for Pacofs with Aviva Pelham
• Jesus in Capab’s production of “Godspell” in Port Elizabeth
• Frederic in “Pirates of Penzance” for Pact at the then Civi theatre with Edward van Wyk (otherwise known as The Baroness Coral von Reefenhausen) as the Pirate King (!) and sharing the part with Andre Schwarz. Listen to a sound clip of “Maiden Breast” (live performance) here.
• Ralph Rackstraw for Napac with Kate Normington
• Whizzer in March of the Falsettos at the Windyborw Theatre in Johannesburg
• Doody in Pact/Richard Loring’s production of “Grease” with Paul Buckby
• The tenor part in Richard Loring’s (4-hander) production of “A Touch of Webber and a Taste of Rice” at the Sound Stage in Johannesburg
• Operas: Jacquino in Beethoven’s Fidelio (My only proper Opera Solo Part)
• In the Permanent Chorus at Capab: Aida, Faust, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (apprentice), Die Zauberflote, Rigoletto, Turandot and others
• Oratorio: The tenor part in Handel’s Messiah for Cape Town Symphony Orchestra under Raymond Hughes (now chorus master at the Metropolitan Opera in New York)

I have taught singing succesfully for several years from 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.