Dr Catrien Wentink started her term as BMus programme manager on 1 September, and she is very excited to engage more with the students than just as a lecturer in class. She also looks forward to the possibilities for updating and improving the BMus programme in an upcoming revision and recurriculation process.

Teaching and performing remain her favourite work tasks, but she also contributes as a researcher, focusing on embodiment in performance and teaching. All three activities are therefore complimentary to each other.

As an alumna of the School of Music, she fondly remembers the camaraderie with her fellow students during her undergraduate years, not only in class, but also having coffee together at Die Akker after class. The infamous “kitsch concerts” are particularly memorable, as well as seeing the lecturers perform on stage, especially for Potchpourri.

Being the mother of three boys keeps her very busy after work, but if some time should free up, she enjoys reading romances and thrillers, or watching a series on television with her husband. They are particularly fond of reality shows such as Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Lego Masters. She is also a huge Star Wars and sci-fi fanatic! Her musical taste ranges from piano and orchestral music from the Romantic era to popular music of the 1980s.

What makes her happy and excited right now is the expectation of two performances at the Aardklop Arts Festival: one with Trio Joie de Vivre, and the other with Dr Michelle Pretorius (performing as Shelly Simon). It was also a joy for her to hear how her own children performed at the recent Eisteddfod and to see how they have progressed as musicians.

She confesses to having an incurable sweet tooth for sweets and chocolates, so take note if you ever need to ensure that you are on her good side …