The Beau Soleil String Department offers individual tuition on violin, viola, cello and double bass, with all pupils taking part in a string ensembles once they are ready to do so. Nationally known and respected teachers make up a strong teaching staff and students can expect individual attention, high standards and a supportive learning environment.
Students are entered for external examinations, such as ABRSM, UNISA and TRINITY and have a wide range of opportunities to perform at concerts and eisteddfodau. Each student is challenged to develop his or her own musicianship to the highest degree while following individual goals.
In addition to the four string ensembles (preliminary, junior, intermediate and senior) there are opportunities to take part in chamber music ensembles, as well as master classes and workshops. A large complement of Beau Soleil string students take part in the annual Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop, SANYO orchestra course, and play in the CPYO, among others.
Beau Soleil’s reputation for excellence attracts students from around the Peninsula, enhancing the overall educational experience of music students.
NSC Awards 2025
The Beau Soleil String Quartet was asked to perform at the WCED’s Provincial NSC Awards for 2025. The event took place at Leeuwenhof, which is the home of the Premier of the Western Cape.
Third photo: Aidan Gebbie, a trombone student at Beau Soleil Music Centre, received an award for achieving 100% in Mathematics in his matric exam. Well done Aidan!
Elijah Bouwers
Elijah Bouwers (viola, teacher: Marina Louw) was awarded a Silver Medal: String Instruments, grade 11-12 at the Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfod. Elijah has also been invited to perform at the Prestige Evening on 4 October.
Kezia's Distinction
Congratulations to Kezia Dawson (teacher Marina Louw) who obtained an astonishing 97% for her Trinity Gr 7 Violin exam!
Adele Holtzhausen
Congratulations to Adele Holtzhausen (teacher Marina Louw) who achieved 88% for her UNISA Gr 3 Viola exam. Well done!
Kezia Dawson
Kezia Dawson had the great opportunity to have a masterclass with Prof Jan Repko at UCT on 2nd June 2022! She played Nigun by Ernest Bloch. Prof Repko is Jordan Brooks' teacher at the Chetham School of Music in the UK.
Jordan Brooks Performance
In addition to being selected as the overall winner of the prestigious National Youth Music Competition, Jordan Brooks also won the prize for best performance of a Concerto. Please follow this LINK to see his exceptional rendition of the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Brandon Phillips.
Jordan Brooks Wins Competition!
Jordan Brooks – winner of the 35th National Youth Music Competition
Jordan Brooks (16), a violin student of Anne-Marié Swanepoel at Beau Soleil Music Centre in Kenilworth since the age of seven, was selected as the overall winner of the prestigious National Youth Music Competition at the Gala Concert on 12 October 2019.
The annual competition draws top young musicians from all over the country who compete over four gruelling rounds, with only six finalists selected to perform a concerto with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Jordan not only won the overall prize of a gold medal and R30 000, but also the prize for the best concerto performance in the final round for his exceptional rendition of the Sibelius violin concerto under the baton of Brandon Phillips. Other awards he received were the strings category prize and the prize for the best performance of a work by a South African composer, a prize he shares with co-competitor pianist Gerhard Joubert.
Jordan is currently the concert master of the CPYO as well as the Beau Soleil Senior String Ensemble. In 2015 he was the overall winner of the SAMRO-Hubert van der Spuy Music Competition for primary school learners. Jordan has performed as soloist with various orchestras and ensembles in the country and is also a keen chamber musician who takes part every year in the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop as well as the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. In 2018 he joined the MIAGI Youth Orchestra as first violinist on their extended tour to Europe.
Jordan has received masterclasses from several internationally renowned performers and teachers such as Marc Bouchkov, Alexander Gilman, Phillipe Graffin, Christina Brabetz, Gareth Lubbe and André Swanepoel. Jordan is studying to make a career as a professional violinist. He is currently a Grade 10 learner at Westerford High school.
Opening Function of the Joint Exhibition
Members of the Senior Strings performed at the Opening Function of the Joint exhibition by the WCED Arts and Music Centres. The event took place in the Annexe of the National Gallery on Thursday 1 June. They performed the first movement of ‘Summer’ from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with Jordan Brooks as the violin soloist and Megan Thebus as the basso continuo soloist. Many high-ranking WCED officials attended the event, including Mr Alan Meyer, the new Chief Director of Circuits and Mr Redewan Larney, Chief Education Specialist.
