Njabulo Nxumalo is a South African double bassist from Soweto, Johannesburg. He attended the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music, where he joined the ARCO Project in 2015 as a violinist before taking up the double bass in April 2018. Through ARCO, Njabulo was given access to an exceptional double bass and received online lessons with UK-based teacher Aisling Reilly. He also represented ARCO in solo and chamber music performances at Voorkamerfest in Darling and the Rustenburg Girls’ High School/ARCO Exchange in Cape Town in 2019. Whilst living in Soweto, Njabulo was Principal Double Bass of the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and won first prize in the JYO Concerto Competition in 2019. In 2021, Njabulo achieved a Merit in his ABRSM Grade

Maria Raynham is currently a music teacher at Rustenburg Girls’ High School, Bishops College, Bishops Prep and Bishops Pre-Prep schools. She conducts the Rustenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Bishops College String Ensemble. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her work. She graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a Master’s degree in Music Performance, awarded cum laude. Maria studied under the acclaimed Professor Jack de Wet at Stellenbosch University and later at UCT. She took conducting lessons from Brandon Phillips at UCT. Maria has a special interest in ensemble playing and is deeply committed to teaching, impassioning and developing young musicians.

We are delighted to welcome Anne Foale as the Artist in Residence for the Kaleidoscope Music & Arts Festival. Inspired by the extraordinary landscapes of the Karoo, Anne has created a beautiful collection of paintings especially for this year’s festival, capturing the dramatic vistas of the Swartberg Pass and the region’s unique natural beauty. Her work reflects the colours, light and timeless character of one of South Africa’s most remarkable landscapes. Anne’s original paintings will be on display throughout the festival and will be available for purchase. She will also be delighted to meet visitors, discuss her work, and chat with anyone interested in developing their own artistic practice, including opportunities for art lessons and tuition.

Lieva Starker is a violinist and music therapist based in Makhanda. She completed her BMus (Hons) and MMus (Instrumental Performance) degrees at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and later earned her MA in Music Therapy from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After completing her studies in the UK, she returned South Africa, where she established a private practice in Makhanda. In addition to her clinical work, Lieva lectures part-time in the Psychology Department at Rhodes University, teaching a module on therapeutic interventions. She also shares her love of music by teaching violin at the Diocesan School for Girls and performs regularly with the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sifiso Mbatha is a 23-year-old South African born cellist. His music journey began late 2015 at the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music (MICM) in Soweto, which is where he was part of a group of students who were in a long-distance learning program with international teachers called the Arco Project. Through the help of the Arco Project and Quartet of Peace, Sifiso managed to get a scholarship to study abroad at the Purcell School for Young Musicians under the graceful hand of Ben Davies. Sifiso is currently a student at Stellenbosch University studying under Dr Peter Martens, where he is exploring the wonders of chamber music, theory, musicology and many more areas of music that he had not been

Chanda Bupe Lupambo (20) is of mixed Zambian/South African descent. He is currently studying with prof Nina Schumann. Chanda has competed and been a finalist in several national competitions. He was recently awarded overall winner of the 2025 Stellenbosch Mabel Quick Bursary Competition, 2024 Atterbury national piano competition and the bronze medals in the Hennie Joubert national piano competition, Neues Lied Art Song Competition as well as the National Youth Music Competition. He has performed as a soloist with the Rand Symphony Orchestra, Todi Music Masters Ensemble, Winelands Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra and Capetown Philharmonic Orchestra as well as an orchestral pianist in the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival and Msanzi National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jan-Hendrik Harley is a South African composer, performer, and educator based in Gqeberha. His work engages composition as a form of practice-based research, exploring how collaborative listening, rehearsal processes, and technological mediation shape musical decision-making. His music has been performed across Africa, Europe, and North America, with recent highlights including performances at Wigmore Hall and the International Society of Bassists Convention. Alongside his work in chamber and orchestral composition, he is active in film scoring, studio production, and historical performance practice. He has presented his research at international conferences, including the International Viola Congress in Paris, and his doctoral work at Rhodes University investigates the role of performer interaction in shaping compositional processes. Harley is also an experienced educator,

Mariechen Meyer is a South African double bassist dedicated to performance, string pedagogy, and music education. Fascinated from an early age by the double bass as both a solo and chamber instrument, she has built a distinguished career encompassing extensive local and international experience. She has performed as a member of the Bassinova Quartet (USA) and iPalpiti Artists International (USA), competed in international competitions, and appeared as soloist with ensembles including the University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, and Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. Mariechen began her studies at the age of ten with Peter Guy in Bloemfontein. She completed her BMus degree at Stellenbosch University under Roxane Steffen and pursued graduate studies at the University of

Award-winning violinist David Bester is active as a soloist, chamber musician and recording artist. He has performed with the Cape Town-, KwaZulu Natal-, Gauteng Philharmonic- and Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestras (ECPO) and regularly plays as a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Namur and the Amici Quartet. As the Concertmaster and Artistic Director of the ECPO, David helps develop and showcase music by local composers. David is passionate about discovering new music and exploring the creative ground where styles and genres intersect. After obtaining his BMus (cum laude) and MMus (cum laude) in music performance from Stellenbosch University under Suzanne Martens, David furthered his studies in Belgium. Here, he obtained a second MMus (cum laude) from the Royal Conservatoire

Tony studied the double bass from the age of 11 with Ronald Large in his native Staffordshire. He played with Staffordshire Youth Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. In NYOGB, the double basses were tutored by Keith Marjoram and Rodney Slatford. It was world class music making and a place to make lifelong friendships. He continued his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with the double bass virtuoso Thomas Martin. During this time he was a member of the European Youth Orchestra playing for Claudio Abbado. Touring Mahler 9 with Abbado around prestigious European venues is a career highlight. Tony is Section Leader Double Bass of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra – CBSO

Violist, educator, researcher and philanthropist Louise Lansdown is currently Assistant Head of Strings (viola) at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and Professor of viola at the Yehudi Menuhin School (YMS). Prior to this, Louise was Head of Strings at RBC (2012-2023) after holding the position of Senior Lecturer at the RNCM (2001-2012). Louise is the founder and Artistic Director of the Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition and Festival and is now Executive Artistic Director of both the Lionel Tertis and Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competitions that were held at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead from 19-25 January 2025. https://tertisaronowitzviolacompetitions.org.uk/ She is the founder and President of the British Viola Society https://www.britishviolasociety.co.uk/ Louise is also the