(018) 299-1692 [email protected]

Instrument(s) / Discipline(s):
Flute, piano, music theory, accompanying.

Period of study at the NWU School of Music / PU for CHE Department of Music:
2008-2011

Qualifications completed at the NWU / PU for CHE:
BMus.

Notable professional achievements:
Final flute recital at the NWU School of Music.

Leonor van der Merwe

Current professional position / occupation:
Music teacher in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town.

Top 5 must-hear music:
1. Karl Jenkins — Palladio
2. Karl Jenkins — Agnus Dei
3. JS Bach — Suites for solo cello
4. J Rutter — Suite Antique for flute and piano
5. Mumford & Sons

Which personal music experiences are most memorable to you?
• I had the opportunity to receive excellent music education and performance classes from Mr George Fazakas (flute) and Dr Truida vd Walt (piano).
• Being part of music productions such as the Johannes Kerkorrel production and Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte.
• Receiving flute masterclasses from Italian flutist, Raffaele Trevisani, South African flutist, Marlene Verwey, and Hansgeorg Schmeiser.

Top 5 must-read books:
1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
2. Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks
3. This is your brain on music by Daniel J Levitin
4. Music, the brain and ecstasy by Robert Jourdain
5. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Favourite quote(s):
• “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” — Ludwig van Beethoven
• “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” — George Bernard Shaw

Top 5 must-see movies:
1. The Hobbit
2. Lucy
3. The Pianist
4. August Rush
5. Soul Surfer

Which television show(s) can you watch over and over again?
Leverage, Suits and White Collar.

Favourite food:
Sushi.

Favourite drink(s):
Infused water, dry red wine (pinotage/merlot/shiraz).

How do you relax?
Reading, listening to music, walking on the beach, and jogging.

Family:
Single.

Which places would you still like to visit?
There are so many! Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and New York.

What are your funniest / fondest memories of your time at the Conservatory?
The funniest moment would definitely be our first-year child-friendly music production, and my fondest memory would be everything that I have learned as a music student, wonderful musicians that I have met from all around the world, the opportunity to première works of Prof Hannes Taljaard, and long-lasting relationships that formed during my formal education.