In the first 1½ years of his term as School Director, Prof Conroy Cupido already had to deal with major challenges: the capital renewal project for renovations at the Conservatory, which reduces the available space for teaching, rehearsals, and concerts; the introduction of a new Student Information System (SIS) and the pending move to a new Learning Management System (LMS); and the largest first-year class ever, placing further demands on teaching spaces and lecturers — all a baptism of fire, so to speak. On the other hand, he is very satisfied that the past year’s recruiting efforts have paid off so well, especially to expand and strengthen the specialisations in Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) and African music. He is also very excited about the latest staff appointments and that Composition can be offered again in the BMus programme.

From the start of his term, it was very important to him that the concert series should reflect the content of the study programmes at the School of Music. In addition to concerts of mainly Western art music (his own speciality), there is now also an African music concert, and he has secured additional sponsorship for two jazz concerts. For the future, the intention is to present an opera and a musical theatre production each year.

Since completing his Master’s degree in Positive Psychology, he is eager to carve out a research area for singing and well-being. He is currently focusing on, what he calls, self-actualised teaching, that is, promoting self-actualisation in applied music studies by drawing on one’s character strengths, specifically the transcendent character strengths such as hope, gratitude, the appreciation of beauty and excellence, humour, and spirituality.

His favourite times of the week are: watering his garden in the early mornings; spending time with friends on a Saturday, watching an opera and other movies or series; and appreciating the amazing sunsets in Potchefstroom. He also belongs to a group of local artists that get together on Saturday mornings to create art.

As can be expected, as a classical voice teacher he listens mostly to opera, but surprisingly, also to a lot of ‘80s music! On the recommendation of friends, he started listening to the music of Laurika Rauch, which he loves, and she has become a good personal friend to boot! If he could go back in time to see certain musicians perform, he would like to experience concerts by ABBA, Queen, and Joan Sutherland.

The past week he was in Cape Town in his capacity as a director on the board of Cape Town Opera and they had a very joyful event to celebrate their donors. This made him happy, also to see the mountain again. And his dog, Colby, makes him happy every day.