KIMBERLEY – Three internationally acclaimed musicians are set to converge on Kimberley this weekend, bringing world-class artistry to the Kimberley Academy of Music’s (KAM) Celebration Concert. The collaboration promises an evening of exceptional musical brilliance as these distinguished performers join forces with the academy’s vocal and instrumental ensembles.

The concert will showcase the talents of a clarinetist who graced the stages of Europe with the Brussels Philharmonic, a masterful mezzo-soprano whose voice has resonated through opera houses, and a sought-after accompanist renowned for her chamber music expertise.

Guest artist Danré Strydom will perform on clarinet. Strydom is an accomplished South African clarinetist, lecturer and adjudicator. She completed her clarinet studies in South Africa, the United States and Europe, and performed with the prestigious Brussels Philharmonic for several years. She served as a woodwind lecturer at the University of the Free State and completed her PhD in Clarinet Performance. Strydom is currently principal clarinetist of the Free State Symphony Orchestra.

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Joining her on piano is Lesley-Ann Matthews, a pianist, accompanist and music educator. She holds an MMus in Chamber Music and obtained a Unisa Licentiate in Vocal Accompaniment. Matthews is currently the accompanist at Odeion School of Music and teaches piano at Sentraal Musiek Akademie.

Teresa de Wit, mezzo-soprano, is an accomplished South African soloist and vocal educator. Her career spans opera, concert performances, oratorio and vocal education. De Wit obtained her Unisa Performers Licentiate and did her opera training at the Cape Town Opera Studio. She was, among other achievements, a member of Mimi Coertse’s Black Tie Ensemble.

• The Celebration Concert takes place on Saturday 24 October at 19:00 at St Cyprian’s Cathedral in Du Toitspan Road, Kimberley.
• Tickets cost R150 per adult and R50 for primary school children. Secure your seats via Quicket at quicket.co.za or obtain them at the door.