Following their first visit to Costa Rica and Colombia last year, Prof Tinus Botha and Mr Thomas Erlank returned for a second visit in April, combining performance, teaching, and academic engagement. During this visit, they collaborated with leading institutions, including the National University of Costa Rica, the University of Costa Rica, the Universidad del Atlántico (Faculty of Fine Arts), and the National University of Colombia in Bogotá.
They performed two recital programmes. The first included Beethoven’s An die ferne Geliebte, Schumann’s Liederkreis, Op. 39, and selected songs by Reynaldo Hahn. The second programme presented Schubert’s Winterreise, offering audiences a compelling interpretation of this renowned song cycle.
In addition to their concert performances, Prof Botha and Mr Erlank presented masterclasses in piano and voice. These sessions provided valuable opportunities for student engagement, focusing on technique, interpretation, and stylistic awareness.
The tour also contributed meaningfully to the North-West University’s internationalisation efforts, strengthening academic and artistic ties with institutions abroad. Both performers expressed appreciation for the high level of student participation and the warm hospitality extended by the host institutions, noting the potential for continued collaboration in the future.
